Residents pledge to help wildlife

More than 730 people in Staffordshire have pledged to turn their gardens into wildlife havens under a national charity campaign.

Residents are making their gardens and patios better habitats for frogs, toads, bats, insects, hedgehogs and birds as part of the Homes for Wildlife project.

The scheme, run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, offers free, tailored wildlife gardening advice to help people transform their homes and gardens into mini nature reserves.

Nearly 55,000 people have registered to take part since it was launched in October last year, including around 733 in Staffordshire.

Participants also counted birds, bats, bees, butterflies and other bugs over the summer. Top of the bird table in Staffordshire were house sparrows with an average of five per garden.

Nationally house sparrow numbers have fallen by two-thirds over the last 30 years, which is believed to be due to a lack of insects to feed the young birds.

According to the RSPB figures, 65 people in Staffordshire counted the nests of starlings, blackbirds, house sparrows and song thrushes.

Just over half of the county's gardens surveyed reported seeing swifts and 40 per cent reported house martins.

Half of those looking for bats saw them, while 20 per cent spotted hedgehogs. The survey also showed that a quarter of Staffordshire gardens surveyed had toads, three-quarters had frogs and 30 per cent had newts.

RSPB spokeswoman Louise Pedersen said: "Wildlife is increasingly reliant on our gardens for food, water and shelter, so it's fantastic that people are so committed to making their homes and gardens wildlife friendly.

"Through Homes for Wildlife, we're trying to reverse the alarming decline of familiar birds such as house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes.

"Large numbers of these birds make their homes in our gardens.

"The time committed by people in taking part in this project will help create a better future for them and other wildlife."

She added: "We've made a fantastic start but it's really important that more people get involved. Now is a great time to think longer term about turning your garden into a haven for wildlife."

People can get involved by signing up on the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk or phoning 0870 240 1001 for an advice pack.

* The RSPB is inviting bird lovers to enjoy a sneak preview of its new Middleton Lakes reserve at Middleton, near Tamworth. The reserve is still under construction and not opening formally to the public until next year.

The free preview visits from December 6 to 11 must be booked in advance on 01827 259454 or at middletonlakes@rspb.org.uk