Tens of thousands of schoolchildren across the UK, including Cheshire, will be swapping books for binoculars this term to take part in the nation’s biggest schools wildlife survey.
The RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2017 takes place during the first half of the spring term and helps children discover the wonderful wildlife they share their school grounds with, while providing a helpful insight into which species are thriving or declining.
According to research conducted by the RSPB, one in five children are disconnected from nature. Big Schools’ Birdwatch aims to inspire children to care about the natural world around them in the hope they’ll want to help protect it for future generations.
Last year almost 100,000 pupils and teachers from schools all across the UK took part by counting the birds that visited their school grounds and it is hoped even more will take part this year.
Over the years, more than 70 different species have been recorded in school grounds, ranging from starlings and house sparrows, to red kites and green woodpeckers.
The blackbird remained the most common playground visitor in 2016 while starlings held on to the second spot. And for the first time wood pigeons made the top three, jumping up the list from sixth position the year before.
Since its launch in 2002, the Big Schools’ Birdwatch has provided opportunities for children and teachers to learn about how to give nature a home in their school grounds.
Many schools prepare for the event in advance by putting up feeders and nestboxes and making bird cake. Seeing and counting the birds coming to their feeders during the Big Schools Birdwatch is the perfect reward for their efforts.
Emma Reed, RSPB education, families and youth manager in Northern England, said: “Taking part in Big Schools Birdwatch uses just one lesson or lunchtime so it’s really easy to get involved. We hope the excitement of taking part will then inspire children in Cheshire to get out and experience more of the wildlife around them.
“With studies showing that children are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature, a concern that is linked to poorer physical and mental health, we want to provide young people with as many opportunities as possible to have fun exploring the natural world around them.”
The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is the school version of the Big Garden Birdwatch – the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey aimed at families and individuals. The event will take place over three days on January 28, 29 and 30 and further information can be found on the RSPB website rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
To register to take part in the 2017 RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch, visit rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch. Everything schools need to take part is available to download from the RSPB website.
