This year almost 1000 people in Northern Ireland signed up to take part in the RSPB's Homes for Wildlife project and RSPB NI is encouraging more Fermanagh people to sign up and take action.
Providing seed mixes, growing flowering nectar-rich plants and planting dense thorny bushes are just some of the top actions people have taken as part of the RSPB's Homes for Wildlife project.
Homes for Wildlife offers free, tailored wildlife-gardening advice to help people transform their homes and gardens into mini nature reserves.
The RSPB's Stephen Harris, 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 declines 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 actions will help create a better future for them and other wildlife in the not too distant future."
More than 90 per cent of people said attracting birds and insects to their gardens is important to them. Four of the top ten activities reflect this - providing food and shelter for birds, butterflies and moths.
The fifth most popular activity - growing plants in tubs to attract insects – shows that regardless of size or shape of garden everyone can take part. Some participants took action on balconies or in gardens smaller than squash courts. In even a tiny space, you can make a real difference for wildlife.
BIRD TABLE
Top of the bird table in Northern Ireland was the Starling with an average of nearly 10 per garden - the highest level of Starling sightings across the UK. Although the House Sparrow was seen in the greatest numbers on average in the UK, it was second in Northern Ireland with six birds spotted per garden (one more than the national average.) Across Northern Ireland, over half of those who participated in Homes for Wildlife also counted blackbirds' nests.
To get involved sign-up now on the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk/hfw or telephone 0870 240 1001 to request an advice pack.
