Join the Big Garden Bird Watch in Shropshire

The Dorothy Clive Garden, in Willoughbridge, near Market Drayton, is hosting the Big Garden Bird Watch which gives families the chance to see birds of prey and other animals in the garden.

The day will include using identification sheets and binoculars to spot the birds and note down how many different varieties are found.

Paul Watkins, senior gardener at the beauty spot, said: "It is a great family day out really.

"The Big Garden Bird Watch is a nationwide thing that goes on in gardens across the country and we are having ours this weekend.

"We are hoping that people will hand in the identification sheets to us at the tearoom and we can log them as a whole site.

"Hopefully we will see some common birds like blue tits and robins but there are also some other interesting birds too.

"Sometimes you can see a tree creeper, and there might be buzzards and sparrow hawks as well. We hope we'll have about 150 people there."

Guests will also be able to make a bird feeder and join in with other bird crafts hosted by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

And to warm up after spotting birds in the garden, the tearoom will be offering bird's nest soup.

Mr Watkins said: "It is a good theme to have, there will be lots of winter warmers in the tearoom as well.

"We have the RSPB here so people will be able to get involved and take part in crafts and all sorts."

The bird watch will take place on Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm.

Entry to the event costs £3.50 for adults, £2 for youngsters aged five to 17 and is free for children aged four and under.

Dorothy Clive Garden was created by Colonel Harry Clive for his wife Dorothy in the mid-1900s.

The Friends of the Willoughbridge Garden Trust was established in 1972 and plays a valuable role in supporting and promoting the garden.

Why not submit your pictures of birds to our 'Birds of a Feather' Star Witness gallery and be in with a chance of winning £100.