RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2022
The RSPB Big Garden birdwatch is taking place between the 28th and 30th January 2022
Are you taking part in the BIG Garden Birdwatch?
Now. I am NOT going to profess that I am in any way shape or form an expert when it comes to birds. In fact, up until January last year, I could probably name about 5 types of bird accurately, and about 15 completely inaccurately.
Then Lockdown 3 happened. And like so many of us, I tried to come up with as many different things for us to do from home to fill the abyss that is January.
Enter, The Big Garden Birdwatch!
Set up by the RSPB, the purpose of this activity is to count the number of birds you see in your garden, from your balcony, or in your local park. Simples.
Are we taking part again? YES!
Was it because last year’s count was a resounding success?! NO!
Yes, that’s right, last year’s count was about as disastrous as you can imagine. We saw no birds. After half an hour, the kids got bored on account of the no birds, and went roller skating with Daddy… I however won at life by getting a whole half hour of staring out of the window doing nothing with a hot brew…. So …. Every cloud and all that!
BUT! I have learned LESSONS! And from all cock-ups come great wisdom (now there’s a quote for you!)
So here are our top tips for taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch!
Swatting up on the bird watching skillllllllz
Make sure the birds join the party. NOW!
The bird watch takes place between the 28th and 30th January. What we learned from last year was that putting food out for the couple of days before the bird watch was not long enough for the birds to realise that our garden was snack central!
So put food out now, or even better keep it out all year round!
Figure out who’s dining in your back garden!
We got our hands on two things that really helped us learn more about the birds we were seeing.
A National Trust bird spotters guide and our Catkin and Co. garden bird recognition cards. The book was a handy spotter’s guide to lots of wild birds and is actually a great little accompaniment to a wander, you could even bring some binoculars!
The cards? A brilliant pocket sized go-to, to identify any feathered friend who’s been paying your garden restaurant a visit! Keep them close to hand and you’ll have all the information you need at your fingertips!
Don’t fancy forking out any money? The RSPB website is PACKED full of birdy stuff, plenty to learn about the bird calls and all sorts!
A super competitive game of Birdy Bingo with our Catkin and Co. Cards
Birdy based activities!
It just so happens that we have a whole RAFT of birdy-based activities that are all ready to turn your bird watch into a proper EVENT. All tried and tested as part of the RSPB big garden bird watch last year!
Also (and this is a real bonus this year, with so many families with little ones at home and isolating) These can all be done from home (or out and about if you are as free as a ….. well, BIRD!)
Bird Call Bingo: This one is a test of your listening skills. Take yourself off to the RSPB website and find their bird calls (you can also find this on You Tube). You can print off pictures, corresponding to the bird calls or if you are the proud owner of some Catkin and Co. cards, you could use these! Short of time and patience? You can just write the names of the birds on pieces of paper. Next, listen for you call (from the nominated birdy bingo caller) cross off your bingo birds, and the first to cross them all off wins! Add an outdoor element and go walk and find your bird calls in real life!
Bird Viewers, a really simple activity to get kids engaging with their surroundings whilst walking!
Bird Viewers: This one is a classic sensory activity. Cut out a bird shaped hole in some card and take yourself off for a walk (or if you’re in isolation, your garden, or even your house!) You can use your bird to frame lots of things, exciting textures, grass, mud, views, sky, an ACTUAL BIRD! Think of the ‘That’s not my… ‘ books and you’ll get it! It’s an idea you can really run with, and is a great way to get little ones engaging with the outdoors!
Make your own Bird Feeder: This one does what it says on the tin! We created a platform out of lollypop sticks by gluing them and securing them with twine, then we hung it from a tree. The platform was used to put seed on!
Bird Nest Making: Think like a bird and scavenge all your nesting materials whilst out walking (or from the garden), head into the garden back at home, and create your own birds nest. This is a great way to get thinking about all the things that go into making a perfectly snug birdy home!
Make your own Bird Seed Cakes: this is such a versatile idea, which we adapted at Christmas to make reindeer cookies, for Santa’s reindeer. Easy, messy and a great way to attract those birdies into your garden in time for the big weekend! You need to mix bird seed with melted lard, leave it to cool for a bit, before squashing into shapes or moulds. Put them in the fridge (or freezer) with a paper drinking straw wedge in to create a gap for the string. Then tie up the string and off you go!
Make your own bird seed cakes.
Have we ‘beaked’ your interest?! (Sorry, couldn’t get through a full blog without a teeny tiny bird pun!)
Sign up to the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch here!
Want to check out the Catkin and Co. cards?
This fabulous company is packed full of wonderful nature resources for kids.