It's not very often that we have guest blogs here on the Langford page, but from now on one of our newest members of staff will be blogging here on a monthly basis. So, I'm pleased to introduce Roseanna Burton, Sherwood, Trent and Tame Futurescapes Community Engagement Officer, who will be telling us about some of her exciting work in the wider area around Langford and beyond in the coming months. So, without further ado, over to Roseanna....
Hi, I’m Roseanna, the new Community Engagement Officer for the Sherwood, Trent & Tame Futurescape. I have been in post since October and have been extremely busy since, delivering and planning a number of engagement events. My most recent was the Big Garden Bird Watch (BGBW) on the 26-27th January. I delivered a partnership event with Gary Joynt of Nott’s County Council at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve (NNR) which was a great success despite the weather, with 131 people visiting throughout the day!
Unfortunately due to the weather we had to cancel the bird ringing in the best interests of the birds. Regardless, we had a range of activities on offer, enabling the public to get involved with the BGBW on and off site. This included a spot of bird watching throughout the site, a range of information and advice on accommodating birds in the garden, as well as a chance to get messy and make some birch and pine cone feeders to take home to attract and feed birds.
Despite the weather, the day was a great success and is sure to have helped our data collection on garden bird distribution. We had some fantastic sightings throughout the day, including a number of tits, nuthatches and four yellowhammers.
Sadly, we did have reports of several great tits looking injured throughout the day, in which a local boy, Ryan showed me his photo’s. I suspect avian pox but have since passed the details on to our Wildlife Enquiry unit to investigate. If anyone sees any other cases they are urged to let us or the ranger team at Sherwood know.
I have a number of exciting events coming up, so keep a look out for updates. In the meantime why not take a visit to one of are newer RSPB Reserves, Langford Lowfields and do a spot of bird watching yourself? With the developing reedbed, woodland and flower rich grassland habitats, you won’t be disappointed!