LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Counting, recording, drawing, observing and identifying visiting birds are all valuable learning opportunities that are fun and engaging.
Birds are very present in all our lives. Even those who say they "know nothing" when asked, are surprised when questioned about common birds. Once minds are opened, people can oſten identify a dozen or more birds they didn’t realise they knew.
Spending time watching or walking in nature has been shown to benefit both mind and body, and this is as true for young people as it is adults. Sitting quietly in fresh air or walking in open spaces calms the mind and body, it balances our physiology and promotes production of positive hormones. Slowing to the pace of nature and its natural rhythms is greatly beneficial and contrasts starkly with our fast-paced digital existences with all its distractions. Time spent in nature is never wasted.
HOW CAN YOU TAKE PART?
Taking part is simple - watch the birds in your garden, and only count the birds that land, not those that fly over. Then, go onto the RSPB Birdwatch website and submit the highest number of each bird species you observed at any one time.
Here are some of my top tips to keep in mind that will make the birdwatching as fun and enriching as possible:
PRINT OUT SOME VISUAL PROMPTS
Having images to hand of which birds to look out for (which can be found on an RSPB resource) will help you feel confident
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in understanding which creatures you can spot. This could be particularly helpful for those living with dementia as the colourful pictures may help recall memories.
REMAIN PATIENT
When birdwatching, birds may not necessarily appear straight away so I find that making the most of all the beautiful sights and sounds that can be experienced in nature makes the experience so much more valuable and relaxing. Can you spot any other animals? Can you see any plants that you’ve never noticed before?
USE YOUR EARS
The sound of birds calling or singing can be a powerful trigger for memory recall, and can also help relieve stress. If looking through a window from indoors makes it difficult to hear sounds, you could even try playing bird songs from a phone or laptop to elevate the experience.
USE SUNFLOWER SEEDS TO ATTRACT MORE BIRDS
Spreading sunflower seeds for birds (shells removed) out onto your outdoor space can have a big impact on the number and diversity of birds that are attracted to the area. So, if there seems to be a lack of birds around, this tip could create a more exciting birdwatching experience!
www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch - 39 -
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