Feathered friends help kids get creative

Finlay, Teddy and Daisy Stein with their creations

A host of families flocked to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ Discovery Centre at Fairhaven Lake to make preparation for the annual national Big Garden Birdwatch.

The Birdwatch survey, organised by the RSPB, takes place this weekend is expected to see half a million people around the country taking part. Members of the public are invited to watch bird activity in their gardens or local parks, make a note of the species and report their findings back to their RSPB via its website.

In preparation for the Birdwatch, a weekend at Fairhaven Lake included the opportunity to make bird feeders – and officials at the Centre were delighted at the response.

Georgia Crossley from Freckleton with her bird feeder

“We made 26 feeders in six hours over the weekend, which was a wonderful effort and thanks to everyone who came along,” said RSPB learning and visitor experience officer Claire Critchley.

“The Big Garden Birdwatch is an important survey which allows us to track bird activity and it is brilliant that so many people are keen to take part.

“The records from people counting birds in their gardens provides a vital snapshot of the UK’s birds each winter and with it being rather milder this year it will be especially interesting to see the results this time.”

• To coincide with Birdwatch weekend, the Discovery Centre at Fairhaven Lake is hosting a family trail around the Lake from 11am to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Details of that and other activity from (01253) 796292.