Residents at Harrow care home flock together for RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

 

Residents at a care home in Harrow had their binoculars at the ready when they invited a local 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 St Georges School for a busy afternoon observing the many feathered friends visiting the home’s garden, when they took part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey.

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

Residents and children were keen to learn about what bird like to eat so they could make bird feed together that would have many different species of bird’s flock to the garden. 

Commenting on the afternoon, resident Lynda, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. The kids came over from the local school still wearing their jackets and I helped them to take them off and roll their sleeves up to make the bird feed. There was an instinct to help the children.”

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 St Georges School for a fun day of bird spotting.

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

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

Buchanan Court provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing 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 cinema room, bar and hair and beauty salon, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.