Big Schools' Birdwatch at The River School: A Feather‑Filled Adventure!
This week, pupils across The River School took part in the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch, the UK’s largest wildlife survey for schools. As part of our commitment to outdoor learning and nature education, pupils from Years 3–6 spent an hour observing and recording the different bird species visiting our school grounds.
Armed with binoculars, tally sheets and plenty of excitement, the children worked in small groups, taking turns to spot as many birds as possible during the official one‑hour count.
What Bird Species Did We Spot?
During the session, pupils recorded several different species, including:
Great tits
Blue tits
Robins
Wood pigeon
Magpie
Crow
And, adding a moment of real excitement, the children spotted one pheasant confidently running across the grass - certainly the highlight of the hour!
Taking part in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch helped pupils develop their observation skills while contributing to an important UK‑wide conservation project.
Outdoor Learning in Action: Pupils Loved the Experience
One of the standout features of the day was the children’s enthusiasm for using binoculars and identifying birds in their natural habitat. Many pupils experienced birdwatching for the first time and were thrilled each time they recognised a species from their checklist.
Although only Years 3–6 took part in the official count, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils also enjoyed spotting birds informally throughout the week, showing that nature education is thriving across the whole school.
Looking Ahead: Plans for a Birdwatching Area at TRS
Inspired by the success of this year’s Birdwatch, Miss Smith and Mr Cawte are now exploring the idea of creating a dedicated birdwatching area on the school grounds.
This would provide pupils with:
a quiet space for wildlife observation
opportunities for cross‑curricular outdoor learning
a year‑round place to connect with nature
The children are already showing great curiosity, making this an exciting potential addition to The River School’s outdoor learning resources.
Recognition from the RSPB - and Sir David Attenborough
We are proud to share that our results have been officially submitted to the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch database. In recognition of our participation, the school received:
an RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch certificate, and
a Schools for Nature certificate signed by Sir David Attenborough, celebrating our commitment to wildlife and environmental care.
These special accolades highlight the dedication of our pupils and staff in supporting UK conservation efforts.
Why the Big Schools’ Birdwatch Matters
By taking part, The River School has contributed to a national survey that helps scientists understand how bird populations are changing year by year. Our pupils gained a hands-on experience of scientific observation, a greater awareness of local wildlife and an understanding of how small actions contribute to national environmental research
It’s practical outdoor learning at its finest, accessible, engaging, and deeply meaningful.
Well Done, River School Pupils
A huge thank you to Miss Smith and Mr Cawte for leading this inspiring project, and well done to all pupils for their enthusiasm and focus throughout the week. We look forward to sharing updates as plans for our new birdwatch area develop, and to discovering which feathered friends will visit us next!
