THOUSANDS of Lancashire birdwatchers are expected to be in their gardens this weekend taking part in a survey to find the most common bird.

Almost 400,000 people across the UK took part in last year's survey, recording six million birds, and surveying more than 200,000 gardens.

But Big Garden Birdwatch, run by the RSPB, is hoping for even more people to take part, although common species of birds have declined sharply.

Kirsten Whittaker, regional Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator, said: "More people are enjoying the birds in their gardens. However, we have noticed many of the common species are in decline."

In Lancashire, the starling, once the most common bird, has dropped from six per garden to 3.5.

And the average number of house sparrows was 10 per garden in 1979, but sightings dropped by more than half last year.

However, more unusual species have become frequent visitors to UK gardens, with the trend towards milder winters accounting for the increase.

To take part, spend one hour over the weekend 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.