Catching a break in the rain to head out and give our streets and parks a clean

This weekend we flocked to our local parks, gardens and the riverside to take part in the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch. Across the country the nature charity has already had nearly 5 million sightings, including 672,736 house sparrows and 553,744 blue tits topping the charts. Results can be submitted to the RSPB until February 18th so there's plenty of time to log yours.

Here is a summary of what GoodGymmers in Richmond, Kingston and beyond saw on their watch.

Marie Noelle and Jade - What a great way to spend an hour on such a lovely morning. Sadly no birds have landed yet here but that might be down to the sleeping fox!

Lily - Quite a few sparrows in my garden, living in beech trees. Counted six but there were more hiding further in.

Ken - Sky (my youngest daughter) and I went to the White Cross Pub to do the RSPB Bird Watch. We counted 188 birds! (It is a really good spot!). We had 51 Black headed gulls, 36 rock doves (AKA pigeons!), 21 herring gulls, 16 mallards, 12 Canada Geese, and then handfuls of others (Mandarin ducks, moorhen, mute swans, heron, parakeets, and cross between a domestic duck mallard duck). Eleven different species in total.

Charlotte - I was in Richmond Park where I could hear and see a lot of birds. Particularly crows and parakeets.

Rachel - None of the birds stayed long enough for me to take a photo but I saw 4 blue tits, 1 sparrow, 1 robin, 1 thrush, 2 pigeons and 2 jackdaw.

Jassy - Just one robin holding the fort.

Adam, Rosie, Sam, Africa, Chris, Jp and Teresa made it back-to-back GG sessions after a morning leaf clearing task. We walked over to Moormead Park and took a pew on a perfectly circular bench for 360° views. But even with the guide sheets that eager beaver Rosie had printed off, identifying the different species on a bright yet wintry morning proved challenging for us novice twitchers. Still, we counted gold-, green- and chaffinch, a pair of blackbirds, magpies and plenty of woodpigeon.

Teresa - I was very excited to spot every bird that landed and eagerly called over Sam with his binoculars to inspect and identify the right bird. A very enjoyable morning with a spot of sunshine and the birds.

Thanks to Claire for sending pics and summaries from your GG Kingston friends.

Collecting the litter spread far and wide across Kingston and beyond. Friday feel-good vibes attained by stepping outside, getting some fresh air and making our environment a cleaner place for everyone :)

Preparing the garden for a long cold winter, Lily, Saber, & Marie-Noëlle joined top gardener Marilyn to clear the gutter to help catch rain water. Under the watchful eye of resident Robin we cleared the paths of fallen leaves. Perfect way to warm up on a winter Sunday! We returned to the composting bays for some chopping & turning compost, helped by Châtelaine Lily, Bashful Pingu & Sporty Coco. Hen Power!