Birds and wildlife of all shapes and sizes were spotted at a Halstead care home, as part of the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Residents at Colne View Care Home on Dame Mary Walk welcomed wildlife to bird-friendly habitats, which they have been tending to for 12 months after taking part in the Birdwatch in 2015.

Compared to the results of last year’s count, the home noticed a marked increase in the number of birds coming into the garden, thanks to residents’ involvement in creating dedicated wildlife areas with bird boxes and feeders.

The annual Birdwatch, which took place at the weekend, was part of a programme of activities at Colne View designed to help residents to experience all the sensory benefits of the great outdoors.

Omar Taylor, home manager at Colne View, said: “As well as helping to support an important national initiative from the RSPB, the Birdwatch also provided an excellent opportunity for nature-loving residents to either spend time in the garden listening to bird song or to spot visiting birds and wildlife from the comfort of our lounge overlooking the garden.

“At Colne View we support residents to participate in outdoor and sensory activities as they can boost emotional and physical wellbeing, and help residents to live meaningful and fulfilled lives. The birdwatch also proved to be a valuable reminiscence activity for those living with dementia, and everyone enjoyed spotting and naming the many bird and wildlife species which paid us a visit over the weekend.”

As well as keeping a record of the number and types of birds coming into the garden during a one hour period for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, residents also took part in activities such as decorating bird boxes and making fat balls