Bedales Prep, Dunhurst takes part in RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch

Pupils at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst took part in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Big Schools’ Birdwatch for an eighth consecutive year between 6-10 February. 

The RSPB runs the Big Schools’ Birdwatch from January to February every year to encourage schoolchildren across the UK to see how birds are faring in school grounds across the country. Every year, 60,000 children take part in the nationwide survey. 

At Dunhurst this year, the week started with an assembly where pupils and teachers had the opportunity to show off their whistling skills as they tried to mimic bird calls. At another assembly later in the week, pupils heard a fascinating story about bird migration. 

On Wednesday morning in Outdoor Work, pupils set off on a birdwatching walk around the school grounds, spotting Kites and a flock of Redwings near the Steephurst Pitches. In Outdoor Work lessons throughout the week, pupils made birdfeeders and discussed why we feed birds at this time of the year and the best foods to give them. 

The bird-themed activities also took place outside of lessons, including the return of the popular ‘Find the Birdie’ game during lunch break, which saw pupils search for cuddly bird toys hidden around the school grounds and exchange them for an RSPB pin badge. An extremely popular addition to the festivities this year was ‘Bird Bingo’, which was enjoyed by pupils on the playground every morning break. 

Head of Outdoor Work Ryan Walsh commented: “The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a popular national event with lots of schools taking part, but at Dunhurst we’re fortunate enough to be able to dedicate a full week of lessons to it in Outdoor Work, with every pupil in school making a bird feeder and taking part in bird-related activities. It was great to see pupils involved and they were all very enthusiastic about supporting the RSPB.”  

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) | Outdoor Work at Bedales Prep | Ryan Walsh