5. The Big Schools’ Birdwatch helps us
to...
• Create a ‘picture’ of • If we know that the bird
how birds are doing population is healthy and
you see lots of birds
across the UK during your Birdwatch, it
tells us that the rest of
our wildlife is doing well
too.
6. The Big Schools’ Birdwatch helps us
to...
• Record birdwatching • We can identify and help
species that are in
data and compare it trouble. In previous years
to earlier years so we noticed a dramatic
we can spot any decline in house sparrows
trends or changes and starlings.
7. Last year...
Nearly children from schools took
part!
The blackbird, starling and woodpigeon
topped the charts for the year in a row!
9. Identification skills
Ways to tell different birds apart
What
colour are
their
Look at the size and feathers?
shape of their
beak How big is the bird?
What shape is it’s body?
Listen to, and
try to
remember, th
eir song
What are their
legs and feet
like?
17. This year!
The Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place
between
21st January – 1st February 2013
Take a step for nature and help us to make this Big
Schools’ Birdwatch the biggest yet!
18. At home?
Big Schools’ Birdwatch is
part of Big Garden Birdwatch
which is done at home or in a
local park over a weekend.
This year’s Big Garden Birdwatch takes place
on the 26 & 27 January 2013
It’s another If you would like to take part at
step for home ask your teacher how!
nature!
Select the matching slide for the type of Birdwatch that you are participating in, and delete the remaining slide. Little Schools Birdwatch is designed for early years and Big Schools Birdwatch is designed for 6 – 11 year olds. Clicking on the logo in the centre of the page will open up the Big Schools’ Birdwatch website www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch
Select the matching slide for the type of Birdwatch that you are participating in, and delete the remaining slide. Little Schools Birdwatch is designed for early years and Big Schools Birdwatch is designed for 6 – 11 year olds. Clicking on the logo in the centre of the page will open up the Big Schools’ Birdwatch website www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch
This slide is beginning to introduce the activity, and the children will begin to sense the activity they will be participating in. You could ask your students the following:Do they notice the birds in their school playground?Have they seen any birds today?How many birds do they think might visit their school?Ask them to pay more attention to the birds during playtime/break and see if they see more or less than they thought.
Invite answers to the question ‘why do you think we ask for your help?’ possible answers may include:To count how many birds, and different species, can be seenTo compare results to last year, and the years before – across the country and also in the area that you liveTo collect as much data as possible from across the whole country in a short space of timeTo see if there are more or less birds than we thoughtTo see if any birds need helpTo learn how our wildlife is doing in general
One of the outcomes of the Big Schools’ Birdwatch is that it enables us to create a snapshot of how birds are doing around the UK. If we find that they are struggling this is an indicator that other animals and wildlife may also be in danger. Birds play an important part in their ecosystem as many plants rely on them for seed dispersal.Birds are important for keeping the population of the living creatures they feed on under control, such as insects including worms and spiders.Birds are also important links in the food chain, being prey to mammals and larger birds.
We keep records of all the birdwatches that have taken place previously, and use the data to compare how our birds are doing throughout the years. As a result of this data we have taken action to help and raise awareness of our house sparrows and starlings.
Nearly 90,000 people took part last year – that’s enough people to fill all the seats in Wembley StadiumVisit http://www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch/results to see more specific results from last year relevant to your local area Clicking on the podium will send you through to some interesting facts about our top three birdsClicking on the individual bird names will bring up a web page about that particular bird
Ask your pupils what they think is important to look for when you are trying to identify birds. Possible answers could include:Colour and patternSizeShapeType of beakShape of feetLength of tailTheir songFeathers
Each item will appear upon a click in the following order:Beak – Beaks come in many different shapes and sizes, and each is designed to suit the food that the bird eats. Sparrows and finches have more of a triangular beak to crunch seeds with, and tits have pointy beaks for grabbing insects.Size and shape – Looking at how the size of the bird compares to something it is near (another bird, a leaf, a garden toy) can help to determine what species it is.Song – Many birds can be recognised just from their song, however this takes a lot of practise!Colour and feathers – The colour of the bird can often be the most telling, remember that males and females can often look slightly different (female blackbirds are brown)Legs and feet – Some birds have feet that are more designed for sitting on a perch with three toes pointing forwards, and one pointing backwards. Birds that are found by water will have webs between their toes, and birds of prey will have sharp talons on their toes.
Each slide is timed to progress on your click, invite ID suggestions as you progress through each slideThe bird song will last for approximately 15 seconds, or until you progress the slideIf you would like further information about each bird, please click the hyperlink at the top of the slideDelete any slides as required
The male blackbird is black with a bright yellow bill, while the female is brown. Blackbirds have a long tail and often hop along the ground with their tail up.
Usually seen feeding on the ground. Both male and female chaffinches have black and white wings, and a green rump. The male has a pinky face and breast and a blue-grey crown, while the female is a sandy brown.
With their bright, orange-red breast, brown back and dumpy shape, robins are a familiar garden bird. Robins are the only garden birds to sing throughout the winter, with both males and females holding winter territories.
Bigger than the blue tit, the great tit has a black and white head, green back, bright yellow breast with a bold, black stripe running down it. The black breast stripe is wider on the male.
Its twittering and wheezing song, and flash of yellow and green as it flies, makes this finch a truly colourful character. Its beak is designed for feasting on seeds and other insects. Although quite sociable, they may squabble among themselves or with other birds at the bird table.
The mallard is a large and heavy looking duck. It has a long body and a long and broad bill. The male has a dark green head, a yellow bill, is mainly purple-brown on the breast and grey on the body. The female is mainly brown with an orange bill.
Clicking the hyperlink will take you through to the Big Schools Birdwatch websiteStepping Up For Nature is our major campaign – by taking lots of small steps for nature we can make a big difference. Learn more here.
If you would like to set the Big Garden Birdwatch as homework, forms are available at http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or by calling 0300 456 8330 Clicking on the logo will take you to the Big Garden Birdwatch website
