Looking sharp for bird finds

THE Junior Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorer team had a busy start to the year learning some top tips on how to birdwatch.

Fifty visitors descended on Jodrell Bank as the young explorers took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, as well as hearing a talk from wildlife photog- rapher David Tolliday.

And putting their skills to the test, the budding birdwatchers recorded 254 birds from 26 different species, from familiar garden birds to the more unusual goldcrest and raven.

Another bunch of explorers from the junior section of Macclesfield’s RSPB refused to let the dark skies stop them from enjoying their birdwatching activities.

The children took their birdwatching indoors, and hung paper birds on washing lines to help them learn how to use their binoculars safely.

Children also created a fabulous roosting tree made from recycled cards, as well as gift tags that will be sold to raise money for their campaign to protect England’s most threatened bird of prey, the hen harrier.

Group

leader

Tina Hanak said: “Jodrell Bank was a wonderful location for birdwatching and I hope we have inspired our visitors to look a little closer at their own garden visitors and appreciate the incredible wildlife we can all encourage on our own doorsteps.”

More information about local RSPB activities for young people can be found at www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk or their Twitter @MaccWildlife.

●● Above: Julian Carty and Hope Van der Vekken with Emilia, Grace and Simon Podmore – photo by Susan Wilson. Right: the group stand in the shadow of the Lovell Telescope

●● Above: young explorers don their binoculars to identify the different birds; top, the explorers brought the session indoors