About

What is the Big Schools' Birdwatch?

Boy taking part in Big Schools' Birdwatch

The Big Schools' Birdwatch is a free activity, run every January and February, for all UK schools and youth groups (brownies, scouts etc).

The next Big Schools' Birdwatch takes place 18 January–1 February 2010.

By observing the birds that visit your school grounds you'll not only be taking part in the world's biggest birdwatch, but also helping us monitor UK bird numbers.

This simple bird survey is for all ages and abilities. And best of all it only takes an hour to complete, but is rich in curriculum links.

You can do your watch either within your own school grounds or by visiting a local park.

Getting your teachers' pack

Schools who submitted their results in 2009 will automatically receive our fantastic (and free) teachers' pack for Big Schools' Birdwatch 2010 - full of facts, further ideas and suggestions about the activity, you don't want to do the Birdwatch without it.

If you didn't take part last year but would like to join us in 2010, information about requesting this free resource pack will be available from autumn 2009.

How to take part

It's easy to take part in the Big Schools' Birdwatch. Here are some simple steps to guide you through what you need to do. More...

Children looking for birds during Big Schools' Birdwatch

More about Big Schools' Birdwatch

In 2009, just under 90,000 UK school children and teachers stuck black paper with eye-slits on classroom windows, put up bird posters, borrowed binoculars, made bird feeders out of old plastic bottles, and told us about which birds they spotted in their school grounds. Read on to find out why. More...

Children looking through hide during BSBW

Teachers' feedback

Feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are just a few of the comments from teachers and pupils who have taken part. More...

Black-headed gull - winter plumage
Robin