LAST weekend binoculars were turned to the skies throughout Ludlpw and south Shropshire, Tenbury and the Teme Valley.

There were two days of bird watching at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms with birdwatching for children.

Other activities included making a bird nest and taking part in migration games.

It was also part of the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch that has been described as one of the biggest citizen science events.

As well as getting people to develop an interest in birds and to learn more the annual bird watch also provides valuable information.

The UK Red List for Birds keeps track of population trends in 245 species, with birds listed as ‘Red’ deemed most at risk. In 2021, greenfinches moved onto the Red list for the first time.

Back in 1979, when Big Garden Birdwatch began, greenfinches came in at number eight, but this year, they were down at 19.

This echoes the devastating population declines seen in these charming little finches, with the cause thought to be a disease called trichomonosis. It’s also possible that chaffinches and house sparrows may be affected.