Hundreds of children look out for birds (From Worcester News)

Hundreds of children look out for birds

11:14am Monday 19th January 2009 in

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HUNDREDS of schoolchildren in Worcestershire will be watching from their classroom windows with bated breath as they try to spot their feathered friends.

Last year, more than 30 county schools and 80 children and teachers took part in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch for national wildlife charity the RSPB.

This year, classrooms will once again be turned into bird hides, binoculars will be clamped to eyes and children will scan the school grounds.

The event runs from today until Friday, January 30.

The survey encourages children and their teachers to look out for and count the birds that share their school environment.

Last year, it revealed that the wood pigeon was the most common visitor to school grounds. More than 40 different species featured, ranging from house sparrows and blue tits to mallards and pied wagtails.

RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch project manager Laura Osborne said: “It provides an opportunity for thousands of children to join in and discover more about the birds visiting their schools. The activity is suitable for children of all ages and it also appeals to teachers because it’s fun, easy and simple to set up.”

Schools will tie the birdwatch into their curriculums in a variety of ways. Some will make the activity the centrepiece of a whole week devoted to learning about wild birds, while others will hold birdwatch breakfasts and afterschool wildlife clubs.

The RSPB says no birdwatching expertise is necessary for teachers, helpers or children and the emphasis is on having fun and joining in.

The organisation has produced a free schools pack containing everything a teacher needs, including guidance notes, a full-colour bird identification poster, counting chart and survey form.

For more information about Big Schools’ Birdwatch, visit rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch or ring 0300 456 8340.