On the weekend of the 28 – 30 January, people across the country will be settling down, binoculars at the ready and pens poised, for this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
The Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979 and since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been counting birds in their gardens and letting the RSPB know what they have seen.
Blue tit and great tit. Chris Gomersall (RSPB-images.com)
The results are giving us vital information on what is happening to the population of our garden birds and other wildlife. Did you know; that there are 94% fewer song thrushes seen in our gardens than there were in 1979? That since 2000, hedgehogs have declined by at least half in rural areas, and by up to a third in urban areas?
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Song thrush (Matt Walton)
As well as the useful information it’s providing, it’s a perfect excuse to relax for an hour whilst watching the antics of our feathered friends and the chance to do your bit for the wildlife in your garden.
Don’t have a garden and want to get involved? Why not join us down here at Lakenheath Fen that weekend and help us with our very own Big Garden Birdwatch. You can sit in comfort in the visitor centre, with a hot drink and watch the goings on happening on our feeders.
We’ll be on hand to help with bird identification, so if you’re not sure if it’s a great tit or a blue tit, greenfinch or siskin, chaffinch or brambling, don’t panic, we’ll help you out.
Our long tailed tits may make and appearance (Alec Wallis)
A reed bunting or two may drop in as well! (Tim James)
Each day we’ll be making pine cone bird feeders, a fun but messy job, perfect for children and adults alike. You’ll be able to take these home in preparation for your own Big Garden Birdwatch or simply to encourage some feathered visitors in to your gardens.
The beginnings of a pine cone feeder...David Tipling (RSPB-images.com)
The finished product, complete with great tit! David Tipling (RSPB-images.com)
The event will be running from 10am until 3pm on Saturday 28 January and Sunday 29 January, it’s all free, however normal car parking charges will apply for non-members.
Come rain or shine, the feeders should be alive with activity, so why not join us for an enjoyable weekend of wildlife watching.
We may even be treated to a great spotted woodpecker visiting us...
Juvenile great spotted woodpecker (Les Bunyan)