Media
release
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Children
in West Country to spot birds in their playgrounds
RSPB’s
Big Schools’ Birdwatch: 5 January - 13 February
It’s back
– the RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch has started, with children across the West
Country peering out of their classroom windows to take part in the world’s
biggest school wildlife survey.
Running
from 5 January-13 February 2015, the survey encourages schoolchildren of all
ages, and their teachers, to count the birds in their school grounds for one
hour of one day. Each school’s findings will help the RSPB’s experts to build a
picture of bird populations and monitor any changes.
Last
year, more than 70,000 pupils and teachers across the UK took part in the Big
Schools’ Birdwatch, which revealed the blackbird as the most commonly seen bird
in school grounds, with 85% of schools seeing an average of five [see note
1].
Now the
RSPB is looking forward to receiving this year’s school wildlife sightings,
which also contribute to the results of the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch –
the biggest wildlife survey in the world, which
takes place on 24-25 January.
Tony Whitehead, speaking for the RSPB in the
south west said: “Taking part in the RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a fantastic
excuse to stare out of the classroom window and discover much more about the
wildlife which visits your playground. It only takes an hour and can be held
anytime between now and 13 February.
“By
keeping a look out and making a note of the different kinds of birds, children
will not only improve their observation skills and enjoy a great learning
experience, but they will also be encouraged to want to help to give nature a
home, which is fantastic.” [See note 4].
There is
still time for schools to sign up to take part in the Birdwatch. Teachers,
helpers or children don’t need to be experts to take part in the survey.
Everything a teacher would need to plan a fantastic Birdwatch, and develop their
children’s knowledge and interest in the birds they see every day, is available
to download, including guidance notes, recipes, things to make and counting
charts.
Tony
added: “There’s plenty of flexibility for schools to
run the survey as simply as they would like, or as the centrepiece of
cross-curricular studies, project work or as part of work to improve their
school grounds.
“It’s fun, easy and simple to set up, it works for all
ages, and even if it’s a dull, rainy January day, you can still gaze out of the
classroom window and see a flash of colour. We hope as many schools as possible in the West Country will take part in this
great event and, don’t forget, the Birdwatch can also be adapted for youth
groups such as Brownies and Cubs.”
The RSPB has also produced specially
designed resources for under-5s, children aged five to eleven and for those aged
11 and above.
For further information on Big Schools’ Birdwatch, visit
rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch and for more
information on the Big Garden Birdwatch, visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
