Big Garden Birdwatch: Thousands expected to join RSPB weekend

More than half a million people are expected to take part in an annual UK birdwatch this weekend and record species spotted in gardens and parks.

The survey will monitor birds including the blue tit

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch tracks species like starlings and song thrushes, which have declined by 80% and 70% since the survey began in 1979.

The unusual weather this winter could affect which birds are seen in gardens.

The RSPB said it was likely there would be fewer birds because they have been less reliant on garden feeders.

December was the warmest and wettest month in the UK in more than 100 years, before a cold snap was followed by warmth in January.

The RSPB said it would be interesting to see how this had affected the long tailed tit, which is badly affected by harsh winters, and if there were lower numbers of species from the continent, including finches and blackbirds.

'Quieter gardens'

RSPB wildlife adviser Ben Andrew said: "If the UK experiences a continuation of these milder temperatures, those taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch may notice their gardens quieter than in other years.

"The milder weather means there is more food available in the wider countryside, with birds being less reliant on garden feeders."

However, Mr Andrew added it was still important to keep garden feeders stocked so that birds could find food whatever the weather.

The birdwatch, which takes place over the next two days, encourages people to spend at least an hour spotting birds and then report their sightings to the RSPB.

This lets them to learn more about changes in numbers.

From CBBC Newsround

Vietnamese push back on Facebook to save Hanoi's trees

Vietnamese are often wary of talking about politics for fear of running afoul of their communist government - but the garden gloves came off in a fight over Hanoi's beloved trees.

It's sometimes called the "Paris of Asia" on account of its wide boulevards and well-preserved French-influenced architecture. Hanoians are justifiably proud of their city's beauty - which is part of the reason why a government plan to axe hundreds of the city's trees resulted in a huge push back on Facebook.

A Facebook page set up to save the trees quickly garnered more than 50,000 fans. And following a massive outpouring of opposition by celebrities and ordinary people, the government reversed its decision and promised to replace trees that had already been felled.

But the victory was about more than just foliage. Speaking out against the government can earn Vietnamese a jail sentence, and it seems the outpouring over the capital's tree population pointed to a more general sentiment inside the country.

"To be precise it's not only this tree chopping but virtually every policy of the government is being complained about," said one Facebook user. "Many things are short-termish and unreasonable that are not to the people's liking and people have lost trust [in the government]."

Hung Nguyen of BBC Vietnamese says the nature of the campaign - or rather, the fact it was a nature campaign - allowed Hanoians to question their government.

Facebook users including model Ha Anh Vu posted pictures of themselves enjoying Hanoi's parks and trees.

"This is a rare example of civil society in Vietnam," Nguyen says. "Challenging the government or party is still something rare in Vietnam and can land people in jail quite easily. But this issue appears to be non-                                                                                            political which is why it got momentum on Facebook."

From BBC News Environment

The subtropical garden flourishing in suburban Bristol

Bananas, bamboo and dragon trees are all plants more readily associated with the warmer climates of Asia and Africa. But gardener Tim Wilmot has spent the past 25 years transforming his home in Bristol's suburbs from an English garden with a lawn, to a tropical paradise full of exotic plants.

From BBC News