TWITCHERS are being encouraged to join thousands of their fellow enthusiasts around the country in documenting the nation’s bird populations.

More than half a million people are expected to watch and count their garden birds for this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch, organised by the RSPB.

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey takes place on January 28, 29 and 30.

It is the first time the Birdwatch will take place over three days.

In Brighton and Hove, house sparrows and starlings are the most spotted with woodpigeons coming in third.

The RSPB warned numbers of house sparrows and starlings are in decline across both West and East Sussex but in Brighton and Hove both species appear to be prospering.

For a free Big Garden Birdwatch pack visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.