The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch takes places on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January 2010, and to help families to prepare there’s a chance to make your own bird feeder at RSPB Minsmere nature reserve the week before.

The Big Garden Birdwatch: Make a Bird feeder event runs from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 January. You can make your own bird feeder to take home and use to attract birds to your own garden. There will also be advice on feeding and identifying garden birds to help you to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. Costs are £3 per child, or £1.50 for RSPB Wildlife Explorers.

The following weekend is the Big Garden Birdwatch, and visitors to Minsmere can take part in the survey at the reserve. RSPB spokesman Ian Barthorpe said, “Minsmere’s bird feeders attract a variety of tits and finches, plus birds such as robins, dunnocks, great spotted woodpeckers and pheasants.

“This is a great opportunity for people who do not have a garden or can’t feed birds in their garden to still take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. Join us at 10.30 am or 1.30 pm, when RSPB volunteers will help visitors to identify and count Minsmere’s birds.”

Taking part in the survey at Minsmere is free, but normal entry fees apply for non members who wish to enjoy a walk.

For further details about either of these events, or to reserve a place on the bird feeder event, please call the Minsmere visitor centre on 01728 648281. For further details of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch see www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch, or collect a survey form from Minsmere.