ALMOST 500,000 people, including 3,838 in County Durham and 3,894 in Tees Valley, took part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey.

More than eight million birds were counted during the 38th RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, with spotters welcoming some exciting and unusual visitors to their gardens.

The event, held over the last weekend in January, revealed an explosion in the number of sightings of waxwings. These attractive looking birds flock to UK gardens in winter once every seven to eight years when the berry crop fails in Scandinavia. Results showed the birds were seen in 18 times more gardens across northern England this year compared to previous years.

Blackbirds were the most widespread birds in County Durham and Tees Valley, with sightings in 95 per cent of gardens. Robins were also up in number is both areas, but there were less sightings of blue tits and great tits.

The nation’s schoolchildren, including 553 across County Durham and 203 across Tees Valley, noticed a similar pattern. In County Durham, the most common playground visitor was the blackbird, while in Tees Valley it was the woodpigeon.

Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist, said: “To have over half-a-million people taking part and counting a bumper eight million birds across one weekend is amazing. Using the information from the weekend we’ll be able to create a snapshot of how our garden birds are doing.”

To find out more about the bird watch and to view the results, visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch