WHICH bird will be crowned Devon?s number one feathered visitor to gardens this winter? It is the 25th anniversary of the RSPB?s Big Garden Birdwatch and your chance to take part in the world?s biggest survey of its kind.

Since the first Big Garden Birdwatch took place in 1979, the RSPB has seen national participation rise from 30,000 to a record-breaking 314,000 in 2003 with 8,278 people surveying 5388 gardens in Devon. The county?s number one bird was the house sparrow.

The survey has provided useful information on the state of garden birds. Although many are doing well, there are some areas of concern.

Alarmingly, the RSPB has seen the average number of starlings seen in gardens plummet from 15 to just four, and house sparrow numbers have more than halved from ten to four. Song thrush numbers have also fallen sharply, dropping out of the top ten. All three of these species have now been declared birds of high conservation concern.

Big Garden Birdwatch takes place every year during the last weekend of January and aims to find the most commonly seen garden birds. You do not have to be an expert to take part and it is a fun event designed for all the family.

Simply spend one hour counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time. The morning is the best time to look, when the birds are out and about feeding after a cold winter night.

Tony Whitehead, RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator, says: ?We?re amazed at how the popularity of Big Garden Birdwatch has grown over the years. I hope we?ll attract even more people in Devon to take part in this year?s survey, helping us to celebrate 25 years of birdwatching fun.

?By taking part, you?ll be helping the RSPB to help our garden birds.?

For further information and online resources to help you with your birdwatch, visit the RSPB website http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch">www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch where an online survey form will be available from the weekend of Big Garden Birdwatch until February 23.

Alternatively, Big Garden Birdwatch forms can be obtained by phoning 0870 601 0215 (calls charged at national rate).