I think 2010 is going to be remembered for big changes.
China's economy is leading the world's financial recovery, signalling a major change in the global perception of China. The tragedy in Haiti is making us all look at the way we support those in need. And, the extreme's of weather here in the UK are forcing us to reconsider our apparent belief that we are immune from its impact. King Canute knew he couldn't turn back the tides. Why do we believe we can overcome heavy snow with a bit of salt?
My Dad worked for Cadbury's. I won't get sentimental about the chcocolate-makers impending takeover by Kraft, but combined with friends and colleagues moving on, it's all creating an impression that everything is in flux. Cycling through Clissold Park returning from a Big Schools' Birdwatch I even noticed that the usual flock of starlings had been replaced by a small army of redwings.
In the very cold spell, Susan Lees of the Islington Gardeners group, snapped a picture of a red-throated thrush, normally resident in Asia and a rare visitor to these shores. Is this change or just a bird blown off course. I hesitate to give the sensible answer these days. See Susan's image, right->.
One certainty is the annual Big Garden Birdwatch. It will happen over the weekend of 30 and 31 January and we'll be keen to hear about the birds you see through your windows. What we want to know is, what species you saw and how many of each species at any one time. That last bit is key. It's the only way to avoid counting the same bird more than once. You only note down the maximum of each species seen at the same time during the one hour long birdwatch.
Once we've received your survey results it will take some time to process it all. The results should be available in March and that's when we'll see if there are any unusual sightings, like the red-throated thrush, or changes in populations.
The Big Schools' Birdwatch continues to 1 February. I've spent quite a bit of time in schools this week, talking about birds and conservation. Huge thanks to staff and children at Brentford School for Girls in west London. They gave me some cash they'd raised for our Albatross campaign. I've also had great fun with schools in Islington, counting birds in parks near their schools. Having seen their excitement, interest and enjoyment of nature, the natural inheritance I can help pass-on to them suddenly seems more important .
That's why I'd urge you to sign our Letter to the Future. Let's bring about change we'd all welcome.