This pigeon was more than happy to stand up and be counted at the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in Ilford.

Ilford Recorder: South park users group at the bird watching eventSouth park users group at the bird watching event (Image: Archant)

Garden birds including robins, magpies, chaffinches and protected house sparrows were also spotted by residents and rangers gathered in South Park on Saturday.

The annual survey is the UK’s biggest count of native birds.

Around 20 birds were counted in total over two hours and there were also craft sessions for little helpers in the park’s wildlife centre.

The RSPB fears some species may be declining and uses the survey, by volunteers in homes and parks across the country, to monitor numbers.

Martin Harper, RSPB conservation director, said: ”Winter has felt more like autumn for many of us and this could have a significant impact on the number of birds in our gardens.

“Birds come into gardens for food when they can’t find it in the wider countryside but if insects and berries continue to be available long into winter, numbers visiting gardens may be down.”

People have until February 16 to submit results of their count on the Big Garden Birdwatch.