Ten tips for families keen to get involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch on January 27, 28 and 29.
1. Sign up to the Big Garden Birdwatch at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch where you can download a free pack including a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden.
2. If you're new to bird watching, check out 'Find a Bird' on the RSPB website. It includes a description, images and audio of all the birds you're likely to see and hear on your bird identification sheet.
3. Work out the best time and place to do Big Garden Birdwatch. It takes an hour and you'll probably see more if you do it early in the morning but any time of day is useful – and in your garden or a local park.
4. If you have bird feeders or a bird table in your garden, get the kids to help you clean and fill with fresh food before completing the Birdwatch. This will help to boost the numbers visiting your garden.
5. Make a bird kebab - for birds to eat! You will need apples and hard cheese cut into small cubes, raisins (do not use if you have pets as they can be toxic), floral wire and string.
Thread cheese, apples and raisins on the wire, leaving about 8cm at either end. Bend the wire to form a circle. Tie a loop of string on the wire circle and hang your scrumptious kebab outside.
6. If you're planning to use binoculars, let children get used to the feel of them and practise focusing beforehand. You'll find they love looking round the garden at anything and everything magnified – even when no birds are to be seen.
7. For very little ones download some bird-related resources such as colouring sheets to keep them occupied during quiet Birdwatch moments.
8. Relax. Big Garden Birdwatch is a perfect opportunity to sit, relax, observe and enjoy. Watching the natural world can help all of us to unwind and reconnect with our surroundings, so make a cup of coffee and take some time out of your busy day and watch what's going on outdoors to get in tune with nature.
9. Record the highest number of each bird species that you see at any one time: the perfect way to get younger children practising counting! Then answer the other questions about wildlife which visits your garden during the year. Don't worry if you don't see anything over the hour. It's still useful information. Once completed, the only thing left to do is to send in your results.
10. If you're feeling inspired after completing your own Birdwatch, why not visit an RSPB reserve?
The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch is the largest wildlife survey of its kind in the world. It takes place on Saturday-Monday, January 27-29. The results, collected for almost 40 years, provide vital information about bird winners and losers and inform future environmental policies.
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