House sparrow the most common bird last year

Last year, according to the wildlife conservation charity, nearly 1,100 people took part in Co. Londonderry in the survey.

"There is always a strong turnout in Co Derry, showing the tremendous interest in wildlife in this part of Northern Ireland," said Stephanie Sim, RSPB.

"With more than half a million people across the UK watching the birds in their backyard, anyone who takes part can be sure they are not alone doing this very simple and highly worthwhile activity.

"By giving up just one hour over the weekend, you can make a real difference to the knowledge of garden birds. Which are doing well and which need help?" she asked.

Past surveys have enabled the charity to identify the cause of certain birds' decline as well as steps you can take to help them recover. Last year the house sparrow was the most common bird in Co. Londonderry's gardens.

However, this is misleading; despite holding pole position the numbers have fallen so drastically that the house sparrow is now on the Red List of threatened bird species, indicating that numbers have fallen by more than 50 per cent over the last 25 years.

Results from 2010 also provided a good understanding of how birds were coping with the prolonged cold spell experienced at the start of the year.

Unusually high numbers of countryside birds like fieldfares, redwings, bullfinches and yellowhammers were spotted in gardens.

More usually found in fields and farmland trees and hedgerows, these birds visited our gardens for food when they couldn't find enough in their usual haunts.

As well as redwings and fieldfares, other members of the thrush family, including song thrush, mistle thrush and blackbird, were seen in much higher numbers last year looking for food.

To do your bit for garden birds, simply spend one hour over the weekend 29 and 30 January 2011 counting the birds in your garden or local park and record the highest number of every bird species seen at any one time.

For further information and online resources to help you with your birdwatch, visit the RSPB website, www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. An online results form will be available from Saturday 29 January until 18 February 2011.

Alternatively, call 0300 456 8330 to request a Big Garden Birdwatch form to be sent to you (calls charged at standard rate). The hotline number will be in operation until 28 January 2011.