We’re more accustomed to TV naturalist Chris Packham telling us about the latest bugs in the New Forest or birds in the back garden.

Now the Hampshire wildlife expert, pictured, has issued warning about a different kind of “birds and the bees” – he has joined a campaign to cut the number of babies being born.

Research suggests that couples across the county are cosying up between the sheets as a cheap form of entertainment in the recession.

But photographer and author Chris urging couples escaping the economic boom in the bedroom to “think hard about our sheer numbers”.

He has become a patron of charity Population Matters, formerly known as Optimum Population Trust, which seeks to limit numbers in the UK.

The 49-year-old, who got a degree in Zoology from University of Southampton, said growing numbers of people affect nature through intensive agriculture, chemical pollution, disturbance, loss of habitat, pressure on water, over-hunting and climate change.

Chris, a former pupil of Bitterne Park Secondary School and Taunton’s College, said: “With the world population now approaching seven billion, and wild species becoming extinct at hundreds of times the normal rate, we really have to recognise the connection and think hard about our sheer numbers, as well as our consumption and technology, if we want a sustainable future for all of us, people and wildlife alike.

“For me, it’s not just wildlife that’s running short. The record food prices we have seen this year are a wake-up call people should not ignore; and ever more people make it ever harder to deal with climate change. We have to recognise that our lovely little planet has limits.

“That’s why I am pleased to join Population Matters’ distinguished patrons in their support for the campaign to encourage individuals to limit their family size, and persuade governments to give everyone access to family planning and help them to use it.

This is one UN Millennium Development Goal which is as important for wildlife as it is for people.”