Big Garden Birdwatch

WHOLE FAMILIES can get involved with the Big Garden Birdwatch on either Saturday 29, or Sunday 30 January 2011.

Organised by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) the Big Garden Birdwatch is an opportunity to do something to help our feathered friends by counting the number and range of birds that visit our gardens and parks.

All you need is to spend an hour watching the birds in your garden or park on either Saturday 29, or Sunday 30 January 2011. Then simply record the highest number of each bird species seen in your garden, or local park (not flying over) at any one time, and then visit the RSPB special project website to tell them what you saw. There are lots of resources on that website to help you prepare for the Birdwatch including an easy-to-use bird identifier sheet to download.

East Riding Council have also organised a special event for the Big Garden Birdwatch: Families are invited to the Humber Bridge Country Park on Saturday, 29 January, from 10am to 12.30pm.

The East Riding’s Countryside Access Team will help you learn how to identify your garden birds and then help to count and record the bullfinches, robins, song thrushes and tiny coal tits feeding at the reserve’s bird feeding station. 

Your results will be submitted to the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Count national project. You can also make bird feeders for your own garden with the East Riding’s Recycling Team. Please bring an unwanted juice or milk carton (tetrapak). Booking for this event is also essential so that equipment can be arranged.

To book a place call (01482) 395321 or visit the Big Garden Bird Count on the East Riding Council website to make an online booking.