BIRD watching took place in Camelford over the weekend, with over 26 species of birds being spotted in Enfield Park.

The event was organised as part of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2017.

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey, now in its 38th year, took place over three days.

The public were invited to watch and record the birds in their garden or local public space and send the results to the RSPB.

The event is part of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign, aimed at tackling the housing crisis facing the UK’s wildlife.

In Camelford, Andy Bond, who is currently looking into starting a bird nesting project in Enfield Park, led the two-day bird watch walk, sharing his knowledge with the community.

On Saturday, the first day of the bird watch, the group spotted approximately 26 species of bird. One young lady even said she would present the findings as part of her school homework!

With a slightly smaller audience on Sunday, due to the wet weather, less birds came out to show themselves off. Even so, the event was a great success, and it is expected that Andy will lead another walk during Camelford Fun Week.

Town councillor, Claire Hewlett, who attended on Saturday, said: “I really enjoyed the bird watch; it’s so good to have someone who actually knows what they’re looking at! The highlights for me were spotting the Nut Hatch and Gold Crest. If you weren’t there, you missed a treat!”

Andy told the Post about his upcoming bird nest box project, which he hopes to set up in Enfield Park.

He said: “I got the nest boxes and things needed for the job on Sunday. I’ve been to see the town council and everything is in place.

“Myself and John, who is in charge of the park, are going to put them up on Wednesday morning as it’s getting a bit late to put them up, if we don’t do it right away.”

“Both the birdwatch days went well, considering the weather. I think 9am may have been a little early, but I needed to get up there before too many people got around.

“We had 26 species on the Saturday, but not as many on the Sunday, due to the rain — but I will be doing it next year!

“Enfield Park is an amazing place for wildlife. In my mind, it’s Camelford’s jewel in the crown. I have a big passion for birds and wildlife, mainly in Cornwall, but I do try to go to Cuba once a year too.

“We went to Costa Rica in November for two weeks, and saw amazing butterflies, birds, sloths, three types of monkey, lizards and iguanas.

“There are 920 species of bird and 250 species of mammals in the whole of Costa Rica, and also a few different parrots and parrakeets. It’s a really amazing place.”

Andy’s next bird event will take place during Camelford Fun Week in May.

He added: "I hope to do a morning and evening meet, and also hope to have the bat people there for the evening meet. There are several species of bat in the park, which we saw last May and had a large turnout.”