The rain stopped just in time for our Hilly Fields Big Birdwatch event on 25th January, but the weather conditions weren't great. Nevertheless a lot of enthusiastic people turned up for the guided walk (19 adults, 5 children, 1 Jack Russell terrier) and we had a fun time going round the park. Birds recorded were 1 blackbird, 20 black-headed gulls, 3 blue tits, 3 crows, 19 common gulls, 8 feral pigeons, 2 goldfinchs, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 3 great tits, 6 house sparrows, 4 magpies, 4 redwings, 2 ring-necked parakeets, 8 robins, 40 starlings, 6 woodpigeons and 1 wren. These stats have been sent to the RSPB as part of their nationwide Big Garden Birdwatch.
Meanwhile, outside the cafe, Rachel gave out leaflets, sold a few copies of our Birds of Hilly Fields booklet and tutored some of the children in the art of making fat balls to feed the birds. She also managed to take a few photographs despite having 'lardy hands'. A messy time was had by all.
