ISLANDERS are being encouraged to keep an eye out for birds in their gardens this weekend.
The Great Garden Birdwatch, which is returning for the 23rd year, aims to engage nature enthusiasts and assess how climate change is affecting biodiversity.
The annual citizen science project, which is organised by Action for Wildlife Jersey, plays an important role in monitoring the health of local bird populations.
On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 February, Islanders are urged to observe and record birds for an hour between 8am and 11am on either day.
Observers are asked to note the variety of birds spotted, along with the number of each species observed at any one time.
Islanders without gardens can also take part, with the organisers pointing out that “making observations from anywhere is equally beneficial, as every observation is valuable”.
Among the findings from last year, wood pigeons showed a notable increase in numbers, while collared doves declined. Fluctuating species numbers and the “remarkable rise of the goldfinch” highlighted the “dynamic nature of our ecosystem”, Action for Wildlife said.
The organisation’s Andrew Koester said: “Everyone who takes part in the count is a citizen scientist and doing their own small bit to help us understand our garden birds that bit better.
“Last year, 244 households counted their birds and sent in their results. That’s pretty good and it gave us lots of birding records to analyse.”
An online form to record sightings is available here: form.jotform.com/220531770763353.
Results can be emailed to afw.jersey@outlook.com or sent through Action for Wildlife Jersey’s Facebook page.
A bird identification guide and a printed form will be published in Thursday’s JEP.
