Warm smiles as Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre turns 50

IT may have been raining but there were warm smiles at Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre, as the charity celebrated its 40th Anniversary, on Tuesday, 22 January 2019. The charity has been providing a rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing centre for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals since 1979.

The afternoon tea was attended by the Mayor of Sefton Cllr Dave Robinson, who said:- "Today is about recognising the very special part that Freshfields plays in the life of our local community. Over the past 40 years, the local community has come to depend on Freshfields as a vital resource, to which they can bring animals in desperate need, and know that they will be treated with compassion, dedication and excellent medical care."

The Mayor unveiled a plaque revealing the number of animals that Freshfields have cared for in the last 40 years. We're thrilled to announce that since 1979 we've helped:- 89,734 animals!

Helen Stanbury, Director of Freshfields, said:- "Any charity like Freshfields can only carry out its vital work thanks to the people that come together in support of it. Those people support us in an endless variety of ways and they come to us from so many different walks of life. Donors, sponsors, volunteers, adopters, staff; there are just too many absolutely vital roles to list them all. Today is a chance to say thank you to you all."

Local Artist Jay Wheeler adopted his dog Fudge from Freshfields 2 years ago, and spoke movingly about how she has transformed his life. Jay said:- "I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression since leaving the army after serving for 15 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. When I came back my life took a downward spiral. My art therapy helped me a lot, but I still felt like I didn't have a main purpose in life. Then I saw Fudge, and just knew that I had to adopt her. We saved each other, and I can't imagine my life without her now!"

2019 is going to be an exciting year for Jay and Fudge as they will be acting as Community Ambassadors for Freshfields, raising awareness of the healing power of animals and the love that Fudge and Freshfields have brought into his life.

Helen added:- "We'd love to hear from you if you are 40 this year! Why not link up with us to celebrate, by taking part in our Sponsored Abseil Challenge or anything else you can think of? Please check out our Facebook Freshfields Animal Rescue Page or contact the charities Fundraising Manager Emma Jensen via emailing her at:- Emma@FreshFields.Org.UK."

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch reaches the big 40!

JUST 1 hour every year, for the last 40 years, has made the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch the largest garden wildlife citizen science project. During that time, hundreds of thousands of people have volunteered their time providing the RSPB with over 8 million hours of monitoring garden birds. Over the last 4 decades, an astonishing 130 million birds have been counted giving the RSPB real insight into how our birds are faring.  For 4 decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. It was 1st to alert the RSPB to the decline in song thrush numbers. The song thrush was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979. By 2009, its numbers were less than ½ those recorded in 1979, plummeting to 20th in the rankings. To mark the event, the RSPB is encouraging participants in Merseyside to share their Big Garden Birdwatch stories. How will you #BigGardenBirdWatch? will showcase some of the best examples of how people take part from building their own birdwatching den, baking birdseed cakes and dressing up as Batman to see Robin.  The 2019 event takes place over 26 January to 28 January 2019. The public is asked to spend just 1 hour watching and recording the birds in their garden or local green space, then send their results to the RSPB. Around 500,000 people join in the Birdwatch every year, including over 6,000 in Merseyside in 2018. 

Mike Clarke, RSPB Chief Executive, said:- "Everyone has a role to play in saving nature and protecting our wildlife. Big Garden Birdwatch participants have made a significant contribution to monitoring garden bird numbers over the past 4 decades. Those taking part work together as part of a community with thousands of other Big Garden Birdwatchers to help the RSPB's work to protect birds, other wildlife and the places they live. Reaching 40 years is a huge achievement and shows just how passionate people across the UK are about their wildlife. The survey started as a winter activity for our youth members. It's now the largest garden wildlife survey in the world and appeals to both children and adults because it's an enjoyable, easy, inclusive activity that anyone can do and a great opportunity to connect with nature."

The survey has also shown the increases in collared dove and wood pigeon numbers and the alarming declines of the house sparrow and starling. While the overall decline in house sparrow numbers, reported by participants, since the Big Garden Birdwatch began is 57% (1979 to 2018), in the most recent decade (2009 to 2018) numbers appear to have increased by 17%. As well as counting birds, the RSPB is once again asking participants in Merseyside to log some of the other wildlife they have seen throughout the year. This year, people are being asked to look out for:- badger, fox, grey squirrel, red squirrel, muntjac deer, roe deer, frog and toad.  To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2019, watch the birds in your garden or local park for 1 hour at some point over the 3 days.  Once you have recorded the birds that make a visit, submit your results online at:- RSPB.Org.UK/Birdwatch.  Don't forget to only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Also remember to tell the RSPB the highest number of each bird species you see at any 1 time, not the total you see in the hour.  The parallel event, RSPB Big schools' Birdwatch takes place during the 1st ½ of spring term  that ends around 22 February 2019. More than 60,000 school children spent an hour in nature counting birds in 2018, including over 670 in Merseyside. Further information can be found at:- RSPB.Org.UK/schoolsWatch.