Care home residents take part in Big Garden Birdwatch

BINOCULARS were at the ready at a Huddersfield care home as residents watched the skies as part of the “world’s largest wildlife survey”.

Residents at Aden View Care Home, on Perseverance Street, took part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, alongside around half a million others across the UK.

Among the residents was first time birdwatcher Terry Hickson, 77, whose usual passions are football and other physical sports.

He said: “I’ve never birdwatched before but I thoroughly enjoyed the time watching out for local birds and making my own feeder for the garden. I would definitely do it again.”

Fellow resident Joyce Wilkinson, 96, was also new to birdwatching. She said: “This was a first. I enjoyed making the bird feeder but I didn’t actually spot any birds. I did see “Aden”, our squirrel, who always pops up to say hello.”

Kim Mckay, home manager at Aden View Care Home, said: “The residents all enjoyed taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, contributing to the world’s largest wildlife survey.

“It is an important insight into the UK’s wildlife and is not just about spotting birds but all the creatures who visit our garden – including our resident squirrel, who the residents named “Aden”, after the home.

“I’m sure the residents will be doing lots more wildlife watching in our garden and we look forward to taking part in the survey again next year.”