Use technology to watch birds by

Organisers, the RSPB, are particularly interested if variable UK weather conditions this/last year (2013/14), mean birds seem scarce, or they appear in their droves, with results to be compared with past winters, back to the first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979.
New for 2014, is the RSPB’s live bird counter, accessible from the charity’s website - take your laptop, tablet or smartphone to the window, enter the number/type of birds spotted, while the clock counts down the hour - which can be anytime over the weekend.
Alternatively, note down the highest number of each bird species seen in gardens/outside spaces and submit results to the charity either in the post, or online.
Martin Harper, RSPB conservation director said results would be compared to other mild winter years adding:
“The key thing for the RSPB is that even if you feel you don’t have as many birds in your garden compared to normal, we still desperately need your results.”
Last year’s Birdwatch revealed starling numbers sank to an all time low and by a further 16 per cent from 2012. Numbers of house sparrows - of high conservation concern - dropped by 17 per cent compared to 2012, whilst bullfinches and dunnocks were down by 20 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.
The RSPB also wants to know whether people ever see deer, squirrels, badgers, hedgehogs, frogs and toads in their gardens.
The Big Schools’ Birdwatch - from January 20 to February 14 - connects around 75,000 children and teachers with nature in their school grounds, or local green space.
To submit results/for more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
For more information about the Big Schools’ Birdwatch visit www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch.