THE Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ “Big Garden Birdwatch” initiative is around 40 years old and this year Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Alexander Stewart, as a long-term supporter of the organisation, urges residents across the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area to get involved and to do their bit in keeping the domestic bird population alive and healthy.

Big Garden Birdwatch, which runs from the 25th to the 27th January has, over its four decades, highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world.

RSPB is asking participants via the social media hashtag ‘How will you #BigGardenBirdWatch?’ as well as encouraging them to share their stories of how they take part, then will showcase some of the best examples, from building their own birdwatching den, baking wildlife themed cakes and making bird feeders.

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Mr Stewart said: “Just one hour every year, for the last four decades, has made the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch the United Kingdom’s largest garden wildlife citizen science project. The RSPB is encouraging participants to share their Big Garden Birdwatch stories this year and to showcase some of the best examples of how people take part, from building their own birdwatching den, baking wildlife themed cakes and making bird feeders. It can help you really find out what bird life you have happening in your garden."