A MAN who has noticed a “marked change” in the population of birds over the past five years is embarking on a counting project – receiving a helping hand from schoolchildren in Wotton-under-Edge.

Humphrey Agard-Evans, 70, of Wotton, is fearful of an apparent decline in birdlife across the UK.

Starting in his own town, Humphrey enlisted the help of children from Bluecoat School and the British School to assist in his count of the area's birdlife.

Humphrey, who was born in London but has lived in Wotton-under-Edge for the past 25 years, has always had a great interest in birds.

Saddened by their apparent decline he is now embarking on a mission to count birdlife and uncover the extent of the loss.

Appearing at Bluecoat School on Monday, March 23, Humphrey provided students with sheets to fill in while taking part in the count.

He said: “In just five years I have noticed a marked decline in the numbers of birdlife in the area. I’m worried about it and am wondering why this is the case.

“It came to me that it would be a good idea to get local children in the community to complete a survey, noting how many birds they see in their garden in the space of a single week.

“The whole idea is to encourage people to be interested in birds and find ways of preserving birdlife. What we uncover in Wotton can be seen as a reflection of the whole UK”

Humphrey isn’t just extending the offer to complete a survey to children – anybody in the local area can take part by counting birdlife in their garden.

“Youngsters need to take part and be aware but anybody can get involved. We’re starting off small but this has the potential to be a very big project. I certainly hope that it will continue after I am gone.”

Bluecoat School are thrilled to be involved with the project.

The school's business manager Mary Buckley said: "We're delighted to be involved with the count and think it's a really important project.

"The children have taken their sheets home and it looks as though they're really going to enjoy taking part."