The collective efforts of Wiltshire homeowners could be the key to reversing declines of song thrushes, house sparrows and starlings, according to the RSPB.

The charity is launching Homes for Wildlife, a new initiative which aims to inspire people to make a real difference for the wildlife that shares the open spaces closest to them.

By 2020, the UK government will have built three million new homes, many purpose built for families and including sizeable gardens. The RSPB predicts that private gardens will become a vital habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Dr Darren Moorcroft, the RSPB's head of conservation management advice, said: "As more land is developed to provide homes for people, this could remove homes for wildlife. Gordon Brown's development plan answers a clear need for more housing, but it also makes it increasingly important that we all do what we can to make the land around our homes and gardens as wildlife friendly as possible."

Homes for Wildlife, which aims to tackle existing declines in garden birds, is being launched by the RSPB on Feed the Birds Day - Saturday 27 October.

The RSPB estimates that UK gardens cover 5,000 square-kilometres of land - an area equivalent to Northumberland - and for some wildlife they are the most important habitat on offer.

The charity hopes that more than 200,000 people will support the Homes for Wildlife project, by following free wildlife-gardening advice to help them transform their homes and gardens into wildlife havens.

Everybody registering to take part will receive an extensive information pack, either electronically or hard copy, full of simple advice and recommendations for all types and sizes of garden.

Tony Whitehead, the RSPB's Homes for Wildlife manager for South West England, said: "If everybody does something for wildlife it will make a difference - from pot plants on balconies to building a pond, you'll encourage insects and provide food for birds. We can all create homes for wildlife at our own homes, no matter how much space we have."

The project builds on three key elements: * Leave patches of long grass to provide a home for insects eaten by house sparrows and other birds * Provide a mixture of well structured, deciduous trees, native shrubs and climbers. Honeysuckle, rose or ivy will not only look great in your garden but take up little space and will provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife * Provide a mixture of nectar and seed rich flowering plants such as alyssum, sunflower and knapweed to attract insects and also provide seed for birds to feed on.

The RSPB hopes that gardens taking part will see a significant increase in numbers of species like house sparrows and starlings over the next five years (2).

Dr. Moorcroft added: "Every garden is part of a much bigger community on which a wide variety of wildlife depends. Just as we socialise and use facilities in our local areas, so does the wildlife that shares our homes and gardens."

Feed the Birds Day is on Saturday 27 October with events across the South West where you can find out more about garden birds. For event information and details of how to register for Homes for Wildlife, visit the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/hfw or call 0870 240 1001.