Watching birds and listening to birdsong have helped people during the pandemic, polling suggests in the run-up to the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. The wildlife charity is expecting high levels of participation in its annual survey of garden birds this weekend, which has been running for 42 years, and is encouraging people to take part to help “lift spirits” in the latest lockdown. A survey for the RSPB by YouGov ahead of the Big Garden Birdwatch reveals that nearly two thirds of those polled (63%) felt watching birds and hearing their song added to their enjoyment of life, especially in the last 12 months. The results of this survey indicate we may emerge from this pandemic a new generation of nature lovers. Two more garden favourites, blackbirds and robins, have also seen significant declines since the survey began in 1979, the RSPB said.

Source: Irish Independent January 29, 2021 00:22 UTC