Spokesperson John Rankin said the group is thrilled with the general awareness of the project, but hope for more people to become involved.

“It’s really got a lot of people talking, but there is not enough actually logging on to the website and recording and participating,” Mr Rankin said.

One approach they hope will generate more involvement is targeting teachers, in particular science teachers, who may adopt the project and involve their students as a way of making learning about science more appealing.

“It could be something they do in class, and it’s simple and easy for children to do,” he said.

“It’s a ‘hands on’, practical approach to teaching science. It’s a great opportunity for teachers.”

The Birds in Backyards Workshop will explain the concept behind the program.

It’s about people recording the birds they see, and keeping track of birds, many of which are showing signs of declining numbers across the region.

No experience is necessary and pictures are provided on its website to help people identify birds.

Mr Rankin said the wider program, which had been running for six years, showed several species of woodland birds were declining.

He stressed the program was for people across the entire shire, and not just farmers and their paddocks, but for any area such as parks, gardens and backyards.

The workshop will present information explaining the program, its aims and advice to help woodland birds, such as the importance of planting suitable plants for the littler birds.

“They need understorey, shrubby plants, for protection from above.”

The Birds in Backyards Workshop will be held at the Pridham Centre, on the NSW DPI Research Station, starting from 10am on Saturday, April 18.

Following the workshop will be the launch of the findings from six years of

survey work conducted by the CWBP.

Any enquiries, please contact John Rankin on 6342 9282. The website is www.birdsinbackyards.net