In the UK, this coming weekend sees the annual Big Garden Birdwatch, organised by the RSPB.

All it takes is one hour of your time, and you can do your Birdwatch at any time on either Saturday 27th or Sunday 28th January. The time of day doesn't matter to the survey results because they get such a huge number of people taking part, which produces a good spread of sightings throughout the day.

Birds are more active first thing in the morning, when they need to feed after a good nights sleep, so you are more likely to see birds if you do your Birdwatch then.

Only count the highest number of birds you see at one time - this avoids counting the same birds twice.

They have a recording sheet which can be downloaded from their web site:

In 2006, a record-breaking 470,000 people took part, by counting the birds in their garden for an hour and then sending in their results.

The records provide a vital snapshot of birds in the UK each Winter. The data collected helps prioritise bird conservation work.

Over the years, the survey has recorded huge declines in some of our most familiar birds. Since 1979, the number of House Sparrows counted has fallen by 52% and the number of Starlings by 72%.

You can find out all about it and how to register your sightings here.