RSPB Birdwatch flocks to Essex care home

Home news

Jan 18, 2016

Residents and the team at Silversprings home in Thorrington, near Colchester, 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 Tenpenny Hill 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.

To celebrate the home’s involvement, residents at Silversprings will have the chance to get up close to some lesser-spotted feathered friends on Tuesday 2nd February when the representatives from the local owl sanctuary visit the home. Members of Care UK’s neighbouring Day Club will also be dropping-in to Silversprings for the event. Throughout the day, residents will also be painting bird houses and making fat balls to attract even more birds to the care home garden, which already has a resident peacock and ducks.

Customer relations manager, David Martins, explained why Silversprings is taking part this year: “Staying active and enjoying the outdoors can be extremely valuable for the residents, particularly for 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; and we are all looking forward to playing a part in the RSPB’s important national survey.”