Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
27th January 2024
Watch the Birdie
Apologies for the late notice, but there is still time to get involved with the Big Garden Birdwatch being held this weekend. Chris Packham is obviously better organised than I am as he has been advertising it on TV for a couple of weeks – and during those weeks, somewhere between the TV and the computer, I have forgotten to tell you about it.
The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers get involved, to help build a picture of how our garden birds are getting on.
And even though it started yesterday, (Friday 26th) you can still take part by using the downloadable digital guide, which has everything you need to complete your Birdwatch at www.rspb.org.uk
Basically, you are invited to spend an hour watching the birds in your ‘patch’ – it can be your back yard, garden or even balcony – between 26 and 28 January, and record the birds that land there. You are asked to record everything you see – even if you don’t see anything at all – that is still valuable information. You can submit your results online or by post, details are on the website.
Last year, across the UK over half a million people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch, counting a whopping 9.1 million birds. The cheeky little House Sparrows took the top spot, but counts of these characterful birds are still down by 57% compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979. In fact, we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 60 years.
With birds facing so many challenges, it’s more important than ever to get involved in the Birdwatch. Every bird you do – or don’t – count will give the RSPB a valuable insight into how garden birds are faring.
Let There Be (Serious) Light
There is a spiritual belief that ‘what you focus on, you will attract more of’. I have always agreed with it in theory but have seen it ‘in action’ over the last week or so. Last week’s readers may recall that I mentioned a few things that had impressed me lately (at a time where I am unimpressed by a lot of stuff). And that ‘impressed impression’ has continued. It is a really nice space to be in, by the way – I highly recommend it.
My latest ‘wow’ is an ‘impressive item’ – my Serious Readers Light. You will know that I am indeed a ‘serious reader’ but what you won’t know is that reading has actually become more and more difficult as the typeface gets smaller and greyer (as opposed to solid-black) as I get older – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. This winter I have resorted to reading by my ‘running’ head-torch as it was the brightest light I could find, and therefore made reading slightly easier.
But now I have discovered Serious Readers High Definition Light, and oh my word, what an important find for me. People use the phrase ‘life-changing’ a bit too often for my liking, but this light has quite honestly changed my life. It’s that simple. I can read in the darkest (and cosiest) corner of the cottage and as I opted for the ‘rechargeable’ option, I was even able to continue ‘turning the pages’ during the recent storm Isha-induced power cut. It also means you can use your light absolutely anywhere, as long as its dry.
A ‘Serious Light’ uses technology that replicates natural day light which allows your eyes to focus more comfortably for longer and simply to be able to see more clearly. It is well-known that poor lighting causes eyestrain and it is reassuring that over 500 independent options recommend ‘Serious Lights’.
It is difficult to convey the effectiveness of the High Definition light. I was half expecting to be sending the light back after a generous 30 day trial, as I couldn’t really conceive how – or believe – that a light would so radically help my reading. There’s no way that I am handing this ‘love of my light’ back now– and according to the website, 98 out of 100 people agree with me.
I can’t begin to explain the technical stuff – although their website does a good job of it at www.seriousreaders.com, and whilst you’re there check out ‘Meet the Team’, as it makes great reading – suffice to say that the words are now just wonderfully crisp and clear. Which is all you need! Obviously, the light would be great for close-work hobbies too, like art, sewing and even my stone engraving.
The founder, and ‘bringer of light’, Alex, invented the Serious Light 35 years ago for his mum, who struggled with her vision. Believing that ‘light transforms sight’, he has been pioneering research into sight and light ever since. Thankfully.
Light Bringer
Incidentally, calling Alex ‘the bringer of light’ reminded me that I had read somewhere (probably with my head torch) that ‘Lucifer’ is derived from the Latin translation of ‘light-bringer’ and therefore after referring to Alex as the ‘bringer of light’, I feel it necessary to explain that unlike in popular culture, where Lucifer is often associated with evil and Satan, in Roman mythology, Lucifer has a more positive meaning. As the ‘Morning Star’, Lucifer represents the herald of the new day and the light that illuminates the darkness. This celestial figure was revered and seen as a symbol of hope and promise – which all sounds more in line with Alex.
Serious Lights offer a whole range of clever lights, all being ‘just what you need’. For example, the SANITISE Light™ combines three technologies to help you read in comfort while protecting yourself from germs in the air and on surfaces. It actually kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and purifies the air, keeping your space and devices sanitised. And provides ClearSun® Technology, to mirror the daylight spectrum. That is one super-clever light.
Last and by no means least, the packaging is the best I have ever seen. The ‘follow-me’ instructions just add to the whole fantastic, uplifting, illuminating experience. I have posted photos of the packaging on my website under the Green Scene header. It is worth a look. And Yogi is pictured using the light as it was either ‘be in the photo’ or ‘take the photo’ – she opted for the former.
And finally I have taken the liberty to make a Jean-Paul Satres quote my own, ‘To be able to read comfortably in January is as lovely as to go for a walk in June.’
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