Last week, the children took part in the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2022. It is an annual event that relies on wildlife enthusiasts to help as ‘citizen scientists’ and record the number of garden birds that land in gardens or local green spaces across the UK.
We had chosen our Pre-Prep woodland as our viewing area and prepared it with tasty bird food treats the week before!
We discussed the best ways to observe the birds and set about building different types of shelters, known as a ‘hide’, to allow us to closely watch the birds without disturbing them. We had various interpretations of ‘a hide’, from piles of leaves to wigwams made of sticks. The children all agreed that the best way to observe the birds was to be still and quiet. They found this incredibly difficult, especially when the birds appeared!
Nursery played ‘hide and seek’ before using the Techo house as a ‘hide’ to observe the birds from. Kindy continued the bird watch back in the classroom by making their own binoculars and identifying birds using bird spotting sheets.
I have tallied up the completed survey sheets, submitted our results, and received a certificate of participation from the RSPB.
Don’t forget to feed the birds over half term.
Mrs Wilson
