There’s a chance to see garden birds closer than ever at a warm-up event for the Big Garden Birdwatch.

Staff at RSPB Northward Hill, near Hoo, will be fitting rings to blue tits, great tits and a multitude of finches on Sunday, January 20.

After they have captured, recorded and ringed the birds, they are released back into the wild.

Organiser Rolf Williams said: “After a morning with the birds at Northward Hill everyone will be ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch the following week.

“Seeing birds up close, their actual size, colour and varied feathers, their beaks and claws is a special experience and a great way to prepare for the annual survey.”

British Trust for Ornithology volunteer Roger Kiddie said: “You never forget how to recognise one bird from another when you have seen them so intimately.

“I have been ringing birds for 50 years and I am really looking forward to sharing with visitors the familiar or maybe less familiar birds so that they are all set for the Big Garden Birdwatch and recording what lives in their gardens at this time of year.”

RSPB staff will reveal what the ringing research and previous surveys have told us about the state of garden birds.

Visitors will be able to collect a survey form and pick up some handy tips for attracting and identifying birds, before counting them in their garden for the main event on Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27.

This Sunday’s event at Northward Hill takes place from 10am to noon. Admission £6, children free. Call 01634 222480. Birdwatch details on 0300 456 8330 orwww.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch