Make your birds count – RSPB Big garden birdwatch 2010

Not sure what to do on January 30-31 (This weekend)? Well, why not grab the family, draw up a comfy chairs, pour yourself a cuppa while you count birds at your feeding station. What more can you ask for....

This is a yearly event brought to you by the RSPB, who are trying to collect important data on our national bird numbers. It is a great way for us also to spend 1hr learning and enjoying our birds around us while helping national figures too. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert or do this alone as there are hundreds of bird counting events around the country.

How does it work?
All you have to do is:

1. Download a record sheet from the RSPB website. http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
2. Setup a bird feeder or feeding station nearby.
3. Sit for an hour over the weekend, identify the birds and mark down the biggest number of birds that land together in a given time. (Not the ones that fly over)
4. Submit your results on the RSPB website http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch  It is as easy as this.
   

Go for it, join in and have fun. It is a great way to help numbers and have fun with the whole family too. Handykam fully supports the RSPB and its campaign.  

More information
RSPB website – http://www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB bird watch section - http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

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Freeze Warning! Wildlife crises hits UK

Over the past few days we have witnessed some of the strangest sub zero weather for 60+ years. With weather reaching as low as -22oC, birds and wildlife are coming under huge threat.  Severe weather warnings over the next week could mean that this threat could deepen. Dr Mark Avery is quoted by the BBC of saying that this current bad weather ‘Could be the single greatest wildlife killer of the new millennium’ There are a number of ways of helping your birds and wildlife:

• Make sure feeders and feeding stations are well stocked with a range of fresh feed. Good time to get rid of old currants and sultanas as well as old biscuits. Feed regularly through cold snap.
• Defrost bird baths and water butts so they can drink.
• Put up habitats to allow birds and animals to get shelter. Bird boxes, hedge hog homes, owl boxes etc.
• Cover all pet cages from worst of weather and make warm covered exercise runs.
• Leave garage or shed door open so wrens can pop in and eat insects.
• Etc....
  

Go on raid the kitchen and help your wildlife.

Keywords to help search
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