Big Birdwatch Event: 27 January 2019

Saturday 26 January to Monday 28 January is the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch - an annual bird count in gardens and green spaces across Britain. And as we have done for the last ten years, the Friends of Hilly Fields will be holding our own Big Birdwatch event on Hilly Fields on Sunday 27th January from 10.30 to 12.30. During that period with your help, we will try to identify and count all the birds in the park.

We'll be based outside the cafe and will have the Big Blackboard on which to record sightings. We'll have fun activities such as seed ball making for children and guide sheets to help you identify the birds you see in the park. Just remember the two golden rules: (i) only count the maximum number of each species that you see at any one time (to avoid duplication); (ii) don't count birds that fly over without stopping - only birds within the park. And if you don't want to attempt it on your own, come on the guided tour which will start at 11.00 approx.

Who's a pretty boy then? Long-tailed Tit admiring itself on Hilly Fields

What birds might you see and hear? Great Tits, Blue Tits, possibly Long-tailed Tits, Robins, Blackbirds, Crows, Magpies, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Starlings, Goldfinches, Thrushes and more. Last year, we recorded 23 species (the most common were Starlings and Black-headed Gulls). Let's see if we can match that this year - or even beat it.

Starlings on Hilly Fields

By the way, children are welcome at this event. It's all about raising awareness of the nature on our doorsteps and the need to support and protect wildlife. And inspiring the next generation to carry that on.