RSPB Birdwatch flocks to Cringleford care home

Home news

Jan 22, 2016

Residents and the team at Cavell Court care home in Cringleford are gearing up to take part in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

With binoculars at the ready and bird feeders filled, the Care UK home on Dragonfly Lane will be joining in the world’s largest wildlife survey on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January. 

Cavell Court will be kicking off activities with a special visit from pupils at Cringleford Primary School, who will be joining residents in the week leading up to the birdwatch to make fat balls and paint bird boxes in order to attract more wildlife to the care home’s gardens. The local school children will also be returning to the care home to the join the residents for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.  

A longstanding RSPB initiative, the Big Garden Birdwatch encourages people throughout the UK to take a closer look at the nature on their doorsteps by counting the different birds which visit their garden in any one hour over the last weekend of January, as well as recording any non-bird species such as badgers and hedgehogs.

Home manager, Anita O’Neill, explained why Cavell Court is taking part this year: “Staying active and enjoying the outdoors can be extremely valuable for the residents, particularly those living with dementia. The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch provides a great opportunity for residents to access outside spaces and reap the emotional, social and physical benefits this can bring. 

“The quiet, calming nature of bird watching can help lower anxiety, while the colourful sights and distinctive sounds of our feathered friends provide plenty of sensory stimulation. Bird watching can also be a valuable reminiscence activity, with the appearance of certain species and the sounds of birdsong evoking memories and helping residents recall their love of nature.

“With so many benefits, we are all looking forward to taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. We have been preparing our garden to ensure it is bird friendly and even making fat balls to provide the birds with vital nourishment over the winter months. The recipe can be downloaded at www.careuk.com/birdwatch. 

“Playing an active role in preparations for the birdwatch has helped to provide meaningful and fulfilling activity for the residents, who are now all looking forward to playing their part in the RSPB’s important national survey.”