‘Hello, my name’s Maria, can I tell you about something really exciting that the RSPB is doing?’ By last Saturday morning, I was saying that in my sleep.
The something exciting was a ‘live’ Big Garden Birdwatch at Bondville Model Village in Bridlington. We’d been working towards it for a good six weeks or so and hoped it would be a big success.
One of our volunteers had been super busy making tiny bird boxes, bird tables, log piles and hogitats for the miniature garden. (He’s done such a good job, a nearby model shop has offered to sell them on-line to raise funds.)
We wanted the world to know about what we were up to so our promotional machine had been in overdrive. The local paper had covered the story as had the local radio station; posters had been distributed and we’d been actively talking about it on social media. The day before, we’d also handed out leaflets on Brid’s cliff-top path – and we handed out more on the day itself.
So we were delighted when 60 people ventured out on a cold, grey January afternoon to join us. Mums, Dads, Grans, Grandads and kids from near and far came along to help count the birds. It was also a chance to see Bondville’s miniature cottages in winter with their chimneys carefully wrapped up in case of frost, not to mention sample their cafes fabulous cakes.
The official count took place early on before the crowds arrived and in an hour we recorded 19 birds – including robins, blue tits, great tits and dunnocks. It was a good haul.
The surprise hit of the day were the binoculars. The kids loved them. There was something ‘grown-up’ about them that was really appealing. Apart from bringing the birds closer it seemed to be really important work.
In case the real birds didn’t put in an appearance we’d brought along our favourite toy versions that sing when they’re squeezed. Always a winner, Mums and Dads like these as much as anyone.
No event worth its salt in a small town is complete without a raffle and a competition. In our quiz, everyone was a winner (we helped out with a few answers) as we'd got a stash of brilliant Collins bird ID books to give to everyone who handed in an answer sheet.
Then, just when we didn’t think it could get any better, the moment we’d been hoping for since we started talking about the event actually happened. One of the resident robins alighted on top of the little abbey ruins to give the perfect photo opportunity. Sadly by then my hands were so cold, I couldn’t keep the camera still. Sorry.
But as always, it was the weather that was in charge. And at around 2.30 the forecasters were proved right. The heavens opened, thunder clapped and lightning flashed. However, the little village’s storm defences held firm and only the paths were awash with water after the deluge. It cut short our day, but it didn’t spoil the fun.