Make your nature count

Running from 8th–14th June, this is the first time the charity has asked people to count the wildlife in their gardens over the summer. The RSPB hopes Make Your Nature Count will build a picture of the wildlife visiting gardens and define how important gardens are for some of our breeding birds and summer migrants. It's not only birds people are being asked to record. The RSPB also wants to know about some of the other wildlife visiting gardens, such as frogs, toads, squirrels and even badgers.

Common Frog (Photo: Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com))

At this time of year, gardens are alive with young birds and the RSPB is asking people to record Blackbird, Robin and Song Thrush chicks. Song Thrush numbers have declined by 50% across the UK since the 1970s, but in recent years have started to make a bit of a recovery. Counting young birds will help give an indication of how successfully they are breeding across the UK. This year, the RSPB celebrated 30 years of its Big Garden Birdwatch. More than half a million people took part. Big Garden Birdwatch has identified trends among wintering bird populations, and it's hoped that Make Your Nature Count will provide a similar snapshot of summer wildlife.

Goldfinch, Northampton, Northamptonshire (Photo: John Peacock)

Alongside common birds such as Blackbirds and Blue Tits, the RSPB predicts good things for Goldfinches. Since 1994, numbers have increased by 39% in the UK and are increasingly being seen in gardens, possibly due to more nyjer seed being used in feeders. Long-distance migrants such as Swifts and House Martins are also likely to be seen in flight over gardens.

Chris Packham, RSPB vice-president and BBC Springwatch presenter, said: "Gardens are teeming with wildlife in the summer and we finally have the perfect excuse to sit back and enjoy it. But as well as giving us an excuse to discover an amazing variety of creatures, it will also help with the hugely important task of monitoring which species are thriving in our gardens and which might need a helping hand in the future."

To take part, simply spend one hour during the week of 8th–14th June, counting the birds and any other wildlife that visit your garden, and record the highest number of each species seen at any one time. For further information about Make your nature count and an online survey form visit www.rspb.org.uk/naturecount.