Residents across north Shropshire and beyond are being urged to take part in the UK’s biggest citizen science project, now in its 43rd year.

The Big Garden Birdwatch records the winners and losers in the garden bird world with the help of half a million people, and now the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is counting on Shropshire residents to join in too from January 29-31. 

The lookout lasts for one hour across the three days and Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive, said: “We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy.

"Lockdown brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people.

"There has been a broad and much needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives especially for our mental health and wellbeing. But nature needs us too.

“By taking part in the Birdwatch, you are helping to build an annual snapshot of how our birdlife is doing across the UK. It is only by us understanding how our wildlife is faring that we can protect it.

"We know that nature is in crisis but together, we can take action to solve the problems facing nature.”

House sparrows and blue tits are the most popular birds in Shropshire and countrywide.

To help with their research, the charity is asking for all those taking part to ensure they share what they’ve seen during the hour by submitting their results at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch