It's that time of year again - it's noticeably cooler, the days are drawing in and the RSPB Local Group and Orkney Field Club holds its annual "Feed the Birds" event at the Wellpark Garden Centre.
This year's event held on 13th October, started off rather quietly probably due to a combination of heavy rain and the fact that it was the first day of the October school holiday. By lunchtime though, the activity table was - well - a hive of activity with children absorbed in making pastry worms and maggots. They had great fun squishing up lard and wholemeal flour to make bird cakes and exercising their creativity by decorating apples with sunflower seeds. Around 37 children from 18 families took part and left for home clutching plastic bags full of birdy feasts.
The adults weren't left out with volunteers and staff on hand to give advice on everything from what feeders and food to provide to what shrubs to plant for a wildlife friendly garden. With winter coming on, folk are starting to think about what they can do to help our feathered friends to survive the poor weather. There is plenty of advice on the RSPB web site http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/index.aspx
As ever, we owe a huge THANKS to the volunteers who came in to help and thanks are also due to the Glue family for giving up the space in the Garden Centre to us.