Residents at Harrow care home go cuckoo over RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Residents at a care home in Harrow had their binoculars at the ready when they invited a school to take part in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Residents at Care UK’s Buchanan Court, on Sudbury Hill, were joined by students from Roxeth Primary School for a busy afternoon observing the many feathered friends visiting the home’s garden when they took part in the world’s largest wildlife survey.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey. Every year, over half a million people nationwide take part by counting the birds, as well as other garden species such as badgers and hedgehogs, that they spot in their garden in one hour. This important survey allows the RSPB to monitor species population and trends year to year.

Keen to learn more about identifying their favourite birds, residents and children enjoyed an arts and crafts session, where they drew and painted birds using watercolour paints. Everyone enjoyed rolling up their sleeves as they gathered birdseed and plastic bottles to create bird feeders to hang in the home’s garden.

Commenting on the afternoon, resident Samantha, said “I really enjoyed the peacefulness of the garden and watching the variety of birds we have here in Harrow. My favourite has always been robins”.

Esther Adams, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “We were delighted to be part of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch again this year and to be playing our part in this important national survey. It was great to learn more about our wildlife neighbours and to welcome the children from Roxeth Primary School for a fun day of bird spotting.

“Birdwatching is a peaceful activity, with vibrant colours and distinctive bird songs also providing calming, sensory stimulation. It’s a hobby which residents can be enjoyed from the comfort of an armchair, no matter what the weather, thanks to our carefully positioned feeders. 

“The Birdwatch also proved to be a valuable relaxing activity for those living with dementia, and everyone enjoyed spotting and naming the many bird and wildlife species which paid us a visit throughout the day. We’ve got our binoculars at the ready for the next flock to fly into Buchanan Court!”

Buchanan Court provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own bar and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.