Plant a bird friendly garden. Native trees, flowers and shrubs will provide shelter and food and encourage birds and other wildlife to live in your garden.

Always choose bird boxes made from wood from sustainable sources that are approved by the FSC. The FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.

Grow your own bird food. Leave sunflower heads to dry and choose berry-rich shrubs and fruit for a natural source of bird food. Not only will you attract a variety of species but it will save on the processing and shipping of commercially made bird food.

Don’t use chemicals in your garden. Insecticides and herbicides will kill weeds and bugs in your garden, which are two valuable sources of food for birds. Birds can also be sensitive to harsh chemicals and can become ill.

Practise good bird watching ethics. Follow the bird watchers’ code and avoid disturbing birds and wildlife, follow the laws of the countryside and don’t drop litter.

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy bird watching. Learn to appreciate the local birds in your area. If you do want to travel to see a rare bird or go on a field trip then car-share with other bird watchers and hike or cycle wherever possible.

Choose an ethical bird watching holiday company. Responsible travel respects local people and the environment and knows how to experience nature and to be in it, feeling it, smelling it and learning about it rather than just looking at it.

Support a conservation charity. The RSPB is the largest wildlife conservation in Europe that aims to protect birds and the environment focusing its work on those species that are in the most danger.

Recycle your bird watching magazine. Don’t throw your birding magazine away when you have finished with it. Pass it on to a friend, donate it to a charity shop or local library or recycle it with your other household waste.

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the world and as more people join in there will be more environmentally conscious people concerned with looking after the planet.