RSPB Birdwatch flocks to Darlington Court care home

Home news

Jan 26, 2016

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

With binoculars at the ready and bird feeders filled, the C home on The Leas, off Station Road in Rustington, will be joining in the world’s largest wildlife survey on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January.

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, Fiona Wiederkehr, explained why Darlington 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 occupation for the residents, who are now all looking forward to playing their part in the RSPB’s important national survey.”

For more information on Darlington Court, please email customer relations manager, Julie Bartholomew, at Julie.Bartholomew@careuk.com. Visit www.careuk.com/birdwatch for more information about birdwatching and to download Care UK’s fat ball recipe.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch has taken place annually over the last 35 years, with the information collected each year helping the RSPB form a picture of bird populations across the country and highlighting any trends or changes. For more information, please go to www.rspb.org.uk.