At the end of January every year, more than half a million people make a cup of tea and watch thebirds in their gardens. This time, ornithologists might be swapping Darjeeling for something stronger as the Big Garden Birdwatch spreads its wings to local boozers.

It is the perfect excuse. Nip down the pub, order a pint and take a comfy pew while helping to protect the nation’s birdlife.

In fact, it sounded so idyllic, the RSPB decided to extend their annual Big Garden Birdwatch to beer gardens across the nation.

“We thought pubs would be a great place for people to sit and complete their survey,” said the RSPB’s Nichola Willett. “By the end of January, we’re often feeling a little fed up and a trip to the pub may be on the agenda. So the opportunity to settle down by a window with a glass of something to watch and count the birds, could be just the excuse we need.”

The charity has devised the Quiz in a Box fundraising pack for landlords wanting to encourage families for the event, which runs over Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27.

Now in its 34th year, the Big Garden Birdwatch provides the RSPB with an important snapshot of garden bird populations in winter and has helped to highlight some dramatic declines in UK garden birds. “More than 20,000 people in Kent took part in the survey last year and if we can top that this year, we will have an even better idea of how our birds are doing,” said RSPB Northward Hill’s Rolf Williams.

“The more people that take part, the clearer the picture we can paint about what’s happening to our garden birds so that we know which ones need our help the most.”

To take part, budding spotters just need to download the form from the website and spend an hour over the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend noting the highest number of each bird species seen in their chosen garden, park or beer garden. They then have three weeks to submit their results to the RSPB, either online at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or in the post.

“Whether you have seen several exotic species or just a few of the commonest birds, it doesn’t matter – all sightings are useful to us,” said RSPB officer Don Fuller.

“This is an opportunity to take part in something huge.”

Bird trends - The winners

Wood pigeons and collared doves continue to be the two biggest winners. They can now be seen in more than half of gardens.

The tit family has proved to have the greatest staying power. Blue, great and long-tailed tits have all staked their claim in the Big Garden Birdwatch top 15 with regular appearances each year. However, the coal tit did slip down to No16 last year.

Colourful goldfinches have crept up the rankings and in recent years have been a familiar sight in the top 15. They are now found in a third of Big Garden Birdwatch gardens.

Bird trends - The losers

House sparrows and starlings continue to be the biggest losers by far. Despite battling with each other to be top of the Big Garden Birdwatch table for the past 30 years, fewer of them are living in gardens.

You might be asking how they can be doing so badly if they’re the most common birds in gardens? The answer is house sparrows and starlings are very sociable. They like to hang out in big groups and 30 years ago, those groups would have numbered 10 sparrows and 15 starlings – these days it is more like three or four. Numbers of blackbirds, chaffinches, greenfinches and robins have also dropped significantly in the last 30 years.

Get the most out of bird watching

Try making a recycled bird feeder using a plastic bottle, yoghurt pots or milk cartons (make sure they are clean). You will also need scissors, wire or string and bird seed.

• Cut a hole in the side big enough for a free flow of seeds, but in such a way that it won’t all fall out and won’t get wet.
• Make a few small holes in the bottom of the feeder to allow any rainwater to drain away.
• Hang it with wire, or strong string, from a tree or your washing line.
• If the feeder starts to wear out or the food in it goes mouldy, recycle it and make another one.
• Remember to keep feeders well stocked, especially in winter. Birds come to rely on them and will go hungry if you forget.

Schools can join in too

The RSPB also uses information collected by pupils from primary schools in Ashford, Canterbury, Chatham, Gillingham, Longfield and Rochester. Last year, 62 schools in the county took part in the nationwide Big Schools Birdwatch, with a total of 3,076 Kent children taking part.

“As well as contributing to our understanding of the changes in bird numbers, Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a brilliant way of connecting young people with nature by getting them interested and excited about what they can see through the classroom window,” said Don.

“It’s all too easy for them to miss those opportunities to get outside and understand the world around them. Big Schools‘ Birdwatch gives children the chance to step up for nature.”

You can get involved by downloading a form and submitting your results towww.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. The Big Garden Birdwatch is on Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27.