Mildenhall Lodge residents have a ‘hoot’ of a time for nationwide birdwatch

Home news

Jan 31, 2019

Mildenhall Lodge received a special visit from some feathered friends in participation of this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

The residents at Mildenhall Lodge welcomed local animal group, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, and a host of beautiful owls to the home for the event.

Residents had the opportunity to learn interesting facts about the different owls and were also able to handle the friendly creatures.

2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which encourages people nationwide to count the birds in their gardens to allow the charity to monitor trends and understand how different species are doing. Data from over half a million people is then compared year-on-year to provide a ‘snapshot’ of bird numbers across the UK. 

Katy Hughes, home manager at Mildenhall Lodge, said: “The birdwatch is always an incredibly popular activity, so we were delighted thatthe Suffolk Owl Sanctuary could join us to make this event even more special for everyone involved. All of the residents enjoyed taking part, especially seeing the owls up close. 

“Birdwatching gives older people a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors and be more active – but even better, no matter what your mobility level you can take part. We know just how beneficial animal therapy can be for older people, especially for those living with dementia. Being close to animals can help lift a person’s mood, and stimulate social interaction – and the owls were brilliant at doing just that! It was fantastic to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”