As sure as empty boxes and binbags stuffed with wrapping paper follow the fat feller with the red pyjama suit, so xmas trees ready for re-purposing start to arrive at Lifeboat Rd in Formby after New Year.
This is good, 'cos I can use 'em to shore up the dune defences and replace the trashed/burnt/lost trees I put in last year....why not drop your old tree off there?
Just leave it in the events field before the car park - you can't miss it, there's a big pile of old xmas trees there.
So much more satisfying to think the ex-conifer will be put to good use, rather than staring uncomfortably as the last needles drop off the branches in your backyard in April.
Inbetween creating windbreaks with 'em today, I had a quick look over the high tide at lunchtime - no 'scope, but it was nice just to be back on the beach again.
Two fine drake Eiders heading north close offshore was the best I managed, followed by a handful of Red Throated Divers, Great Crested Grebes, 30+ Common Scoter and a handful of auks, tazzing south like shiny white rugby balls, and way too far out to id with binolicars only.
Plenty of commoner waders feeding in the channels once the tide had receded, and now more than 50 Carrion Crows foraging on the beach around Formby Point.
Thanks to Ron Jackson for sending me a link to his video of the Waxwings over in Red Cat Lane, Burscough - you can watch it here
Is it me, or are Waxwings really Starlings in drag?
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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The RSPB is calling for children and their teachers in Lancashire to take part in UKâÂÂs biggest schoolsâ wildlife survey as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
With up to 2,000 schools taking part each year, the Big Schoolsâ Birdwatch has helped to track bird populations in schools for the last decade.
Running from 24 January â 4 February, the activity encourages children and teachers to discover and learn about the birds that share their school environment.
The survey also helps the RSPB build a picture of birds visiting school grounds and the population changes they are experiencing.
Susan McGinty, the RSPBâÂÂs Education Officer for Northern England, said: âÂÂFor the past 10 years, weâÂÂve been asking young people in Lancashire to count the birds in their school grounds. As well as contributing to our understanding of the changes in bird numbers, Big Schoolsâ Birdwatch does a fantastic job of inspiring children about nature.âÂÂ
75,000 schoolchildren and teachers from nearly 2,000 schools took part in the wildlife survey last year and more than 83,000 birds were counted. In 2010, the most common visitor to Lancashire school grounds was the blackbird with an average of 4.57 seen at each school.
Since its launch in 2002, the survey has grown in popularity, and last year, the RSPB introduced for the first time the Little Schoolsâ Birdwatch especially designed for children aged five and under. [note 2] This year, the conservation organization is now offering the Really Big Schoolsâ Birdwatch, which is aimed specifically at 11-14 year-olds.
A host of curriculum-linked learning can flow from the survey, with plenty of flexibility built-in to run it as simply as teachers would like. Some schools make the activity the centrepiece of a whole week devoted to learning about wild birds while others hold after-school wildlife clubs or as part of work to improve their school grounds.
Another reason itâÂÂs so popular is that it appeals to teachers because itâÂÂs fun, easy and simple to set up and the activity works across a wide age and ability range.
No birdwatching expertise is necessary for teachers, helpers or children and the RSPB has produced a free schools pack containing everything a teacher will need. The emphasis is on having fun and joining in. The pack includes guidance notes, a full colour bird identification poster, counting chart and survey form.
Susan added: âÂÂAll you need to do to take part is watch and count the birds in your school grounds for one hour, then send one set of results back to the RSPB either via email or your interactive whiteboard.
âÂÂWhether you have seen several exotic species or just a few of the commonest birds, it doesnâÂÂt matter â all sightings are useful to us! WeâÂÂd love our 10th birthday to the biggest and best yet.âÂÂ
For further information and to get hold of a free 10th Birthday Big Schoolsâ Birdwatch teachersâ pack, visit the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch or ring 0300 456 8340. The hotline number will be operational until 4 February 2011.