News: The RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2014

–

For the past 13 years, the RSPB have been asking the public to count the number of birds in their locality to create a snapshot picture of bird numbers in the UK. Schools, teachers and pupils are ideally placed to take part in this annual survey, and this year the RSPB is encouraging more and more schools to participate in a bid to give a good indication of the health of an ecosystem.

The scheme is not aimed at any particular stage of school setting, with early year, primary and secondary schools all encouraged to get involved, with activities which do not demand too much out of the school timetable.

There’s plenty of flexibility to run it as simply as you like, or as the centrepiece of cross-curricular studies, project work or as part of work to improve your school grounds. By taking part you’ll also be helping give nature a home at your school.

Taking just one hour, the Birdwatch can be carried out in school, or by visiting a local outdoor space any time between 20 January – 14 February 2014. And every school or group that submits their results before the end of the activity will be sent a certificate and free personalised minibeast poster as a thank you for taking part.

We also have specially designed resources for younger children. Little Schools’ Birdwatch is for under fives to take part in, while older students (11 – 14 year olds) can get involved in Really Big Schools’ Birdwatch. The Birdwatch can also be adapted for youth groups, eg Brownies and Cubs.

Full details of the scheme are available by visiting the RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch website, which includes registration details allowing you to claim a free colour resource to use with your class.

@ukedchat Big Schools Birdwatch starts on 20th Jan, register at https://t.co/LzFh7fwGRv to take part & receive free pack. #birdwatch

— RSPB_Learning (@RSPB_Learning) January 10, 2014

Images courtesy of RSPB

Here is a great idea spotted:

Here’s some we made earlier @RSPB_Learning. Bird feeders from recycled milk cartons ready for Big Schools Bird Watch pic.twitter.com/P5HhsO59EJ

— Outdoor Adventures (@mountoutdoor) January 16, 2014