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RSPB TOP TIPS for Birdwatching in Kent
WHEN YOU THINK OF BIRDWATCHING WHAT COMES TO MIND ? DO YOU THINK OF BINOCULARS , ‘ TWITCHING ’ OR PERHAPS GETTING NUMB FINGERS AND TOES TRYING TO SPOT A RARE SIGHTING ? OR DO YOU THINK OF WATCHING FROM THE WINDOW WITH A STEAMING CUP OF TEA AND YOUR FEET SAFELY ‘ SLIPPERED ’?
Every year the RSPB ’ s Big Garden Birdwatch takes place over the last weekend in January – and you don ’ t need to be a bird expert to take part ! Last year over 1 million people got involved , taking part with their families , visiting local parks , and watching from the warmth of their own kitchens .
In 2021 , over 33,000 Kent residents sent in their results , and the RSPB want even more Kent residents to take part in 2022 . By spending just one hour counting the birds that you see land in your garden or local greenspace , it not only helps the charity see how our garden birds are faring , but is a wonderful way to block out the noise and connect with nature .
Attracting the birds to your patch
Letting birds know that your garden is a reliable source of food ideally starts early , and if you ’ re not in the habit of feeding garden birds all year round , starting once the last berries have started to fade is a good time to start .
You don ’ t need lots of space to provide a good home for nature and window feeders can be used to attract a variety of birds if you don ’ t have a garden . A bird seed feeder which can be hung from branches can be filled with most seed blends and is perfect for Big Garden Birdwatch favourites such as house sparrows , blue tits and great tits .
Be sure to regularly clean your feeders with a mild disinfectant and look out for ‘ easy clean ’ when purchasing , sadly due to disease some once popular garden birds have significantly declined .
Suet or fat balls are also popular choices in the winter months with long tailed tits , coal tits and even greater spotted woodpeckers being particularly partial . Stuffed coconut halves are cheap and easy ways to attract birds on a budget too .
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