No sparrows for second year running at Eastbourne's birdwatch

Residents and staff of Pentlow Nursing Home, Summerdown Road, took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch on January 28th and 29th - the world’s biggest bird survey organised by the RSPB.

Disappointingly, for the second consecutive year, there were no sparrows recorded by residents. According to the RSPB the country has lost more than half its house sparrows, and three-quarters of its starlings. As expected, residents saw mostly blue tits and great tits, as well as blackbirds.

Lesley Wick, manager at Pentlow Nursing Home, said: “Our residents really enjoy our garden and part of that enjoyment is the bird life. We have reported our findings back to the RSPB, which helps create a 'snapshot' of bird numbers in each region and highlight any dramatic declines.”

Those most involved were resident Mavis Maloney, 90, and Joyce Valerio, 80, who made fat balls to encourage the birds to the garden, and Bob Tooley, 92, who is a day visitor to Pentlow and a keen bird-watcher. Armed with bird identifier charts and binoculars, residents recorded the highest number of each bird species seen in their garden (not flying over) over a one-hour period.

Last year, the blue tit, chaffinch, robin, blackbird and long tail tit were the most prevalent breeds spotted in Pentlow’s garden.

For more information on Pentlow Nursing Home, part of the Canford Healthcare Group, visit: www.pentlow.co.uk or telephone 01323 722 245. For further information on the Big Garden Birdwatch, visit www.rspb.org.uk

click here for more details or to contact Canford Healthcare