Birdwatch in schools
CHILDREN across Halton are being encouraged to take part in the UK’s biggest schools wildlife sur- vey.
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’.
The initiative aims to inspire children to care about the natural world around them in the hope they will 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 vis- ited their school grounds.
The RSPB’s education, families and youth manager in Northern England Emma Reed 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..”
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.
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.
To register to take part visit rspb.org. uk/schoolswatch ● ●