RSPB Birdwatch flocks back to West Suffolk care homes

Home news

Jan 26, 2016

Residents at Care UK’s care homes across West Suffolk are gearing up to take part in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

With binoculars at the ready and bird feeders filled, Mildenhall Lodge in Mildenhall and Davers Court in Bury St Edmunds will be joining in the world’s largest wildlife survey for a second year, on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January. Cedrus House in Stowmarket, which opened in April 2015, will also be taking part for the first time this year.

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.

Over the past few months, residents and day club members at Care UK’s homes across West Suffolk have been planting nature-friendly plants and putting up bird boxes in order to attract more wildlife, as well as making their own fat balls to provide the birds with vital nourishment over the winter months.

Home manager, Katy Hughes explained why Mildenhall Lodge is taking part in the Birdwatch again 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 were keen to repeat the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and hope it will be bigger and better than before. This year, we have been busy preparing our gardens to attract more birds and making fat balls to provide them 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.”