RSPB Big Schools' Birdwatch 2018

Year 5 have been part of something HUGE!

Every year in January and February, the RSPB asks children across the UK to count the birds in their school grounds. Educators from every corner of the UK take part with their classes to help create a “picture” of how birds are doing across the UK. If everyone sees a large number of birds during the Big Schools’ Birdwatch, they know that the bird population is healthy.

The pupils in year 5 have learnt how to identify birds by the colour of their feathers; their size and shape, the size and shape of their beak; their birdsong; and what their legs and feet are like. They played bird-identifying games and did research so that they would be able to recognise each type of bird that they were likely to see.

Chase (USA) “I didn’t realise that birds were so interesting.”

The children then went outside with their bird identifier sheet and binoculars, for an hour, to count the number and type of birds they saw. 
Molly (USA) “The male and female robin look the same but the juvenile isn’t even red!”

We then sent out results to the RSPB to include in the national survey. Here are our results:

Doing the birdwatch has inspired many children to do some extra homework! Izzabelle has created a fact file at home to display in the class reading area. It has also encouraged the children to take even more of an interest in wildlife in and around their environment. The pupils in year 5 can now recognise over 80% more birds! They have made a valuable contribution to a national survey and helped the RSPB charity.