WILDLIFE expert Dr Tom Brereton is counting on volunteers for help.

He is spending his mornings busily keeping track of the thousands of birds migrating from the West Dorset coastline.

So far stints this week have seen him count 7,000 jackdaws, and 20,000 wood pigeons with another 15,000 pigeons today.

The birds are being counted as part of a long-term monitoring programme co-ordinated by the wildlife conservation charity Marinelife.

Volunteers are invited to take part in counting the annual bird migration spectacle at West Bay.

The survey involves counting migrating birds from the top of the West Cliff at West Bay early in the morning for between 30 minutes and three hours from dawn.

Dr Brereton, research director for Marinelife, said: "The aim is to improve coverage to gain a more complete picture of the volume and variety of birds passing through the area and how this varies between years and is affected by weather conditions.

"Since the project started in 2002, getting on for half a million birds have been counted at West Bay in the autumn by Marinelife surveyors."

No experience is necessary as training will be given, especially in identifying migrating bird calls.

Dr Brereton said: "Volunteers taking part can expect spectacular sunrises and some of the biggest migrating flocks of birds to be seen anywhere in Britain.

"Over the last week, sightings have included over 20,000 birds of 40 species including a spectacular passage of more than 7,000 Jackdaws -the biggest migration anywhere in the UK of this small crow and part of the most substantial migration detected in the UK (from Dorset north to Shetland) since 1969."

He said a huge Jackdaw migration has also been witnessed all over Europe including in Northern France, Denmark, the Low Countries, and Heligoland, Northern Germany.

Further details of bird migration sightings can be seen by logging onto the Marinelife website by logging on to the Marinelife website.

Also check out the sightings board at the Old Watchouse café for the latest news.

For further details on how to take part contact Dr Brereton on 07816 786173 or alternatively email him here.