EDITOR'S CHOICE THURROCK NEWS Tilbury turbines plan gets approval Getting ready to ride: Thurrock Cycle Marathon 2008 Max's signal of hope 16 days after attack Goldfrapp booty up for grabs SPORT Hammers are buzzing after victory over Bees New Dockers boss talks up expectation factor THURROCK IN PICTURES School boost for Great Ormond Street ELECTION 2008 Election 2008 Guide LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Patient praise for Orsett Hospital GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 MP steps into wages row over jailed footballer 2 New Dockers boss talks up expectation factor 3 Council under fire over danger from overgrown paths 4 New era for Tilbury's cruise terminal 5 Ancient barn relic to come down 6 1,500 new homes plan in Tilbury eco-community project 7 New signing for Grays 8 Councillor calls for crackdown on graffiti vandals 9 Tilbury turbines plan gets approval 10 Face painting children's entertainer Gary makes it into the Guinness book Today | 7 Days 1 Jailed Grays factory worker had 50 bank accounts in tax fraud 2 Help for borough's eastern Europeans 3 Bus mum celebrates tots free fares victory 4 Max still unconscious 10 days after attack 5 Changing face of the BNP 6 Max's signal of hope 16 days after attack 7 Anti-social behaviour issues in Thurrock discussed at special conference 8 Cakes survive bakery fire as clean up operation begins 9 Shop thief tried to take advantage of town fire 10 Questioning police priorities

Comment | Read Comments (1)

RESIDENTS across the region have helped compile results for this year's RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in Essex which puts the starling in top place with an average of 5.13 per garden.

In second place is the house sparrow, on 4.24 per garden, followed by the collared dove in third place at 2.60.

Essex's Big Garden Birdwatch 2008 has recorded a continued decline in our most common birds, but there is little change in the top ten species.

More than 15,000 people from Essex conducted the RSPB's annual survey across 8,000 gardens on January 26 and 27. Comparing this year's results with those from previous years gives a snapshot of how birds are faring in the county.

"What these figures tell us is that Essex has a remarkable range of garden birds with more than 30 different species found. But," warns RSPB Community Project Manager Fiona Hazelton. "We are concerned at the continuing fall in the number of starlings and house sparrows. These are our most common birds but they're vanishing, mostly as a result of a lack of food and shelter."

The answer lies in managing gardens for wildlife. Growing plants that provide both food and shelter for wildlife would help, as well as putting up nestboxes and providing drinking water.

"Having birds flit past your windows and insects buzzing round your flowerbeds is what it's all about," says Fiona.

"Waking up to the dawn chorus raises the spirits and I find watching wildlife incredibly relaxing after a day's work. Gardening for wildlife is rewarding when you see the results of your labours, it's also a good physical workout and you can grow your own food."

11:31am Thursday 27th March 2008

Print

Email this

Comment