THOUSANDS of people across Cumbria are expected to watch and count their garden birds for the upcoming RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2018.

The conservationist charity is appealing for help as the numbers of some of the UK's favourite birds are falling dramatically.

Species such as starlings and greenfinches have seen their numbers visiting gardens decline by 79 and 59 per cent retrospectively since the first Birdwatch in 1979.

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey, now in its 39th year, takes place between January 27 and 29.

The public are asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden or local green space, then send their results to the RSPB.

Close to half-a-million people joined in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey in 2017, including almost 6000 in Cumbria, counting more than eight million birds and providing valuable information about the wildlife using our gardens in winter.

The house sparrow remained top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings in the county, with blue tit and blackbird rounding off the top three.

To help prepare for Big Garden Birdwatch 2018, there are events on offer around Cumbria this January – from discovering how to attract more wildlife into your garden to gaining tips on how to identify the creatures that live on your doorstep.

A ‘Big Garden Birdwatch wild challenge trail’ will be taking place at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale throughout this month.

On January 20 and 21, a ‘Get Ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch’ event will also be taking place at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale. Drop-in from 10am-3.30pm for a variety of activities and workshops to help prepare for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist said: "The birds we see in our garden are often the first experience we have with nature – whether it’s a flock of starlings at the feeder, a robin perched on the fence or some house sparrows splashing in the bird bath.

"But it may come as a surprise to know that some of our most-loved species are in desperate need of our help as their numbers have dropped dramatically.

"The Big Garden Birdwatch is a great opportunity to get involved with helping our garden wildlife.

"By counting the birds that visit your outdoor space, you’ll be joining a team of over half-a-million people across the UK who are making a difference for nature. It only takes an hour so grab a cuppa, sit back and see who makes a flying visit to your garden."