NATURE WATCH: Get spotting in your garden

You can help the RSPB find out by taking part in the 25th Big Garden Birdwatch. Last year 5,721 people took part across Lancashire, when the starling was the most common garden bird in the county.

It's the world's biggest survey of its kind and since 1979 the RSPB has seen participation rise from 30,000 to a record-breaking 314,000 across the UK 2003.

Although the starling is holding its own in Lancashire, the RSPB is alarmed to see national numbers of this species plummet. Average numbers of starlings in each garden have fallen from 15 to just four and house sparrow numbers from 10 to four during the 25 years of Big Garden Birdwatch.

Song thrush numbers have also fallen sharply, dropping out of the top 10. All three of these species have now been declared birds of high conservation concern.

Big Garden Birdwatch takes place every year during the last weekend of January and aims to find the most commonly seen garden birds. You don't have to be an expert to take part and it's a fun event designed for all the family.

Simply spend one hour counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time. The morning is the best time to look, when the birds are out and about feeding after a cold winter night.

Kirsten Whittaker, RSPB Garden Bird Advisor, said: "It's an incredible achievement for a survey to reach its 25th anniversary. We're amazed at how the popularity of Big Garden Birdwatch has grown over the years and hope that the people of Lancashire will once again take part in huge numbers. I hope we'll attract even more people to take part in this year's survey, helping us to celebrate 25 years of birdwatching fun."

To enter your results for the Big Garden Birdwatch, log on to the RSPB website: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Lancashire's Top 10 Garden Birds 2003

1. Starling

2. House Sparrow

3. Blue Tit

4. Blackbird

5. Chaffinch

6. Collared Dove

7. Greenfinch

8. Great Tit

9. Robin

10. Magpie