THE results of this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch are very heartening.

For many years there have been widespread concerns about the falling number of birds visiting our gardens.

Intensive farming, less habitat and even the humble pet cat have all taken their toll.

That is why it is so good to hear that 15,000 people across Lancashire, and 585,000 people across the country, cared enough about the wildlife in their backyard to take part in this survey.

They were asked to spend an hour counting the number of birds like robins, black birds and wrens, who all made a visit to their gardens.

The number for all these types was actually up this year, but it was the humble house sparrow that was top of the poll.

In fact nationally every bird in the top 20 from last year actually increased in numbers apart from chaffinch, goldfinch and greenfinches.

According to the RSPB, which is behind the survey, many garden birds are in desperate need of our help to survive.

During the winter they need extra food and water which we can supply.

They also need places of shelter they can make home, as well as somewhere to make nests once the spring begins.

This survey show s we are starting to do something right.