TACKLING the housing crisis facing the UK's threatened wildlife is one of the RSPB's key campaigns.

'Giving Nature a Home' is about encouraging the public to consider providing a place for wildlife in their own gardens and outside spaces and the RSPB hopes to inspire people across the country through its Big Garden Birdwatch.

Now in its 36th year, the event - which runs from January 24 to 25 - encourages people to record the wildlife characters coming into their gardens to give the RSPB, naturalists and other organisations working with wildlife a snapshot of bird numbers and highlight any dramatic declines in populations.

Among the top 10 birds spotted in West Yorkshire last year were house sparrow, the most popular, blackbird, starling, blue tit, goldfinch, woodpigeon, magpie, collared dove, great tit and robin.

As well as learning ways to attract wildlife into their gardens, participants can also expand their knowledge of the characters they attract and know they are doing their bit to protect future endangered species.

A series of free events are already planned in preparation for the Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend including the opportunity to learn how to create bird feeders at Pudsey Park.

Robert Driver, zoo education officer for Leeds City Council which works closely with the RSPB and is one of the organisation's partners, explains how families are encouraged to attend the event at Pudsey Park where the West Leeds County Park Visitor centre is located.

"Families can come along and find out information about local birds they can find in their garden and, in preparation, can make a bird feeder to encourage more birds to come into their garden," says Robert.

"It (the Big Garden Birdwatch) is one of the biggest wildlife surveys undertaken in Britain. It is really important to do the Big Garden Birdwatch because it gives naturalists and the RSPB and other organisations like ourselves a good idea of which birds are doing well in the wild and people's gardens and those who aren't so we can help those species."

RSPB Airedale & Bradford local group and Friends of Northcliffe at Northcliffe Woods will be on hand on the Sunday of the Big Garden Bird Watch weekend to identify birds and provide advice at the new bird feeding area.

Carol Barrett, committee member for the Airedale and Bradford RSPB, is hoping families will be encouraged to come along and participate in the event and find out more about the wildlife on their doorstep.

"There is such a varied habitat in Bradford which are unknown to the public. This is making it more available and making people more aware of how much wildlife there is in Bradford, even though it is a city there are pockets that are full of wildlife."

Jo Keene, RSPB Senior People Engagement Manager in Northern England, says: "Whether it is the first time you are taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch or you're already an expert, there are plenty of ways to prepare and join in.

"To take part, all you need to do is spend an hour over the weekend of 24-25 January and count the birds in your garden, it is that simple. It's a fantastic way to discover the wildlife on your doorstep and it really helps the RSPB to gain a vital snapshot of garden bird numbers in winter and highlight any dramatic declines, as bird populations are a great indicator of the health of the countryside.

"With the addition of other wildlife to the survey, such as hedgehogs, badgers and frogs, we are able to build up a better idea of how important our gardens are for providing homes for nature.

"Last year, around half a million people took part and seven million birds were counted, so we are hoping even more people join this year, as the more people involved, the more we can learn. So join in and be part of the world's biggest wildlife survey - without having to leave your sofa."

Technology has made the recording of wildlife characters an even swifter process. Participants can record sightings directly onto a laptop, tablet or smartphone with an online bird counting tool, or send results in the post.

For more information about the Pudsey Park event call 0113 3367553 or to find out about the Northcliffe Woods activity call (01274) 582078.

To find out more about the Big Garden Birdwatch discover how you can help by giving nature a home visit rspb.org.uk/homes.

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