Big Garden Birdwatch is the perfect opportunity to get to know someof your local winter widllife. Our team in Dundee recently held an event at Hilltown Park, inviting people to make their own birdfeeders, learn about the species found in the park and connect with the community. Daniel Cruickshank, our Community Engagement Officer, tells us more about the event.
If you go down to the park today...
In the heart of Dundee’s Hilltown Park, a diverse group of nature enthusiasts, including a Countryside Ranger, a Community Gardens Coordinator, MAXwell Community Centre colleagues, your friendly neighbourhood moth expert, me, the local RSPB Scotland Community Engagement Officer and enthusiastic volunteers, recently came together. Bundled up against the cold, they gathered at stalls surrounding a newly painted mural centrepiece, offering their knowledge to the Hilltown Community.
Despite the chill, attendees savoured hot drinks and delicious locally made cakes and bread as they explored various nature activities. Families, children, Saturday morning walkers, and passers-by joined the ring of stalls each offering some winter wildlife engagement. With leaf mobiles and bug hotels from MAXwell, leaf bingo with the rangers, and my “make your own” festive seed treats for birds, the event catered to diverse interests. Even a moth trap added an intriguing element.
Making leaf mobiles.
Over the 2 hours we attracted over 50 participants, with families taking part in making festive seed treats for birds at our stall.
My role is to reconnect the Hilltown, (Coldside, Dundee) community with local nature aligning with RSPB Scotland's commitment to engage with diverse groups in unique ways. Participating in a nature event in an urban setting on a cold winter's day might not be a typical engagement activity but we were doing it! “Build it and they will come” some say. Well flocks came, not just the families and passersby, but a murmuration of starlings gathered in a few nearby trees amongst other bird species spotted throughout the event.
The bird feeders were a hit.
The bird feeders were a hit, a wee festive gift to take home to encourage birds into personal gardens or spaces where they can regularly be observed eating the seed and lard mix. The hands-on experience of mixing the lard and seeds was described as “rainbow coloured playdough” by one participant. These nourishing decorations do not require tidying but will disappear over the coming weeks as birds peck and indulge in the fatty seed shapes. People will observe at the wonder of the activity and learn to identify and understand the behaviours of the birds, perhaps even making more at home using our handy recipe cards.
This immersive activity aimed to inspire ongoing interest in local nature, empowering the community to embrace Dundee’s local wildlife.
Come along and meet us at another Big Garden Birdwatch event in Dundee this month!
Tuesday 23 January 2-3pm, Wild Dundee Birdwatch at the MAXwell Centre, Hilltown
Friday 26 January
Build your Big Garden Birdwatch confidence at Ninewells Community Garden 13:30 -14:30
Sunday 28 January
11am-12pm, Big Garden Birdwatch with Wild Dundee, Dundee Law (Meet at the carpark at the bottom of the Law)
Sign up for Big Garden Birdwatch!
Learn how to make your own bird feeders!
Main image: a group of people gathered around stalls with different activities on them, in an urban area.