The RSPB is urging people to give just one hour of their time to watching the birds where they live as fears grow over the climate challenges creatures are facing.

The annual Big Garden Birdwatch is taking place between Friday (January 27) and Sunday (January 29) and provides a snapshot of how garden birds may be faring in the UK.

But with a 'climate emergency' bearing down on nature the RSPB says it is reliant on people's involvement to help it build a strong picture of the health of bird populations.

In 2022 nearly 700,000 people took part across the UK counting 11 million birds.

Households need to spend just one hour during any one of those three days watching and recording the birds in their garden, on their balcony, local park or any other suitable nearby open space. People can sign up online to join and this is free of charge.

Results are then sent direct to the RSPB which has been using Birdwatch survey numbers since 1979 to help it build a comprehensive picture of various species across the country.

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive, said: "The birds we see in our gardens, from our balconies, and in our parks, are a lively, colourful and endlessly fascinating part of all our lives, offering a real connection to the natural world. By taking part in the Birdwatch you, and hundreds of thousands like you, play an important role in helping us understand how UK birds are doing.

"With birds now facing so many challenges due to the nature and climate emergency, every count matters."

Across the UK, the house sparrow was the most commonly seen garden bird during last year's Big Garden Birdwatch - with more than 1.7 million recorded sightings in 2022. The blue tit and starling remained in the number two and three positions respectively.

The Big Garden Birdwatch was also responsible for first alerting the RSPB to a decline in song thush numbers - which are now down a staggering 81% compared to the first survey ever completed back in 1979.

It is a stark reminder to people that whether they see a lot of birds - or just one - the counts provide crucial data for animal experts.

Beccy added: "Whatever you see - one blackbird, 20 sparrows or no birds at all - it all counts. It helps us build that vital overall picture of how our garden birds are faring from one year to the next.

"With so much challenging our birds now, it’s more important than ever to submit your results."