Nature Escapes the Credit Crunch 

The enjoyment of wildlife and nature is one of the few things that hasn't been hit hard by the credit crunch, according to the RSPB.

Almost half a million people visited the top RSPB nature reserves between April and June, an increase of 20 per cent from last year.

RSPB Bird food sales have increased by one third in the last 18 months. Research shows that as well as overall sales going up, the number of people buying RSPB products to feed birds and wildlife in their gardens has increased by around 20 per cent.

And 22,000 people attended this summer's British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water. The Birdfair is an annual three-day Mecca for wildlife lovers and this years' visitor numbers were up 14 per cent on a record-breaking year in 2008.

Research carried out by the Horticultural Trades Association reveals that six out of 10 garden owners feed the birds, one in four provide nesting sites and the average spend on bird food is £28.30 a year.

We hope that these numbers will continue to rise during autumn as birds return to gardens ready for winter and need our help more than ever.

Paul Forecast, Head of People Engagement at the RSPB, says: 'The great outdoors is a fabulous stress-buster and nature reserves are the ideal place to do that easily, often on your doorstep.

'Enjoying spectacular wildlife or a beautiful sunset is priceless. Many of our reserves are free to get into so it's no wonder these ready-made days out are growing in popularity when money is tight.

'And we hope that even more people will enjoy great days out with nature over autumn and winter, with some of the best wildlife spectacles still to come. Sights like thousands of starlings circling together to find a roost site and huge flocks of ducks, geese and swans arriving to spend the winter are unbeatable.'

Diane Firth, RSPB Head of Trading, says: 'Over half of the UK population feeds the birds. They get so much enjoyment from seeing birds and other wildlife in their gardens that they will do all they can to ensure their birds keep coming back.

'The RSPB provides top quality bird care products at a competitive price. More and more people are buying them for their own use and as gifts proving just how popular garden wildlife is.'

'And the best thing is that 100 per cent of profits from RSPB profits go back into conservation work so everyone benefits.'

Story from RSPB