January + February

1. January + February Winter weather Nature - plants Food and farming Nature - animals Eco friendly actions. Recycle your Christmas tree. Recycle your Christmas cards.

2. Images and information courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

5. Lets see what we can spot! Can you name any of these birds?

6. starling Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Sue Tranter

7. blackbird Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Sue Tranter

8. black-headed gull Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Chris Gomersall

9. woodpigeon Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - David Norton

10. house sparrow Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Steven Round

11. carrion crow Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Roger Wilmshurst

12. blue tit Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Nigel Blake

13. magpie Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Steven Round

14. chaffinch Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Danny Green

15. robin Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Ray Kennedy

16. Big Schools’ Birdwatch results 2008 Big Schools’ Birdwatch results 2008 Results revealed that the starling was the most commonly seen bird in school grounds in the UK in 2008, with an average of 5.05 seen per school. The table shows the average number of the top 10 species of birds recorded per school across the UK in 2008 and compares this with the results from the 2007 survey.

17. jackdaw Some other birds that visit our gardens and schools’ Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Sue Tranter

18. common gull - Niall Benvie Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

19. pigeon Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Steven Round

20. wren Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Sue Tranter

21. song thrush Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Chris Gomersall

22. pied wagtail Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Sue Tranter

23. long tailed tit Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Ray Kennedy

24. collared dove Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Ray Kennedy

25. greenfinch Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Ray Kennedy

26. coal tit Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Sue Tranter

27. great tit Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Nigel Blake

28. dunnock Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch - Ray Kennedy

29. bullfinch Other birds that you might see in Wales during the winter months. Images courtesy photolibrarywales.com

30. buzzard red kite Images courtesy photolibrarywales.com

31. tree sparrow Images courtesy photolibrarywales.com

32. Lets test your bird spotting skills This will help you take part in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2009

33. starling carrion crow blue tit black-headed gull magpie blackbird chaffinch woodpigeon house sparrow robin Do you recognise the ten most seen birds in the Big School Birdwatch 2008

34. Can you name these black feathered birds? blackbird jackdaw starling Can you name these brown feathered birds? song thrush house sparrow wren Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

35. Can you name these colourful feathered birds? robin chaffinch greenfinch Can you name these black and white feathered birds? pied wagtail magpie black headed gull Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

36. Can you tell the difference? pigeon or collared dove? collared dove pigeon Can you tell the difference?blue tit, great tit or coal tit? blue tit coal tit great tit Images courtesy www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

37. Pupil activities • create digital ‘did you know’ presentations on birds. • Visit the RSPB site for information on the Big Schools’ Birdwatch and for activates on making bird feeders and feeding birds in winter.

38. Blue tit A blue tit weighs the same as a pound coin. We can help this little bird by leaving food out for it during the winter and the early spring months. A blue tit has enough strength in its feet to support something three times its own weight Blue tits like to feed their chicks caterpillars and they prefer to live in the woodland where there are more caterpillars.

39. The female is not black but brown often with spots and streaks on their breast. Blackbirds often hops along the ground with their tail up. They feed on berries, scraps and apples, and search for worms on the lawn. Blackbirds love to sunbathe, they can often be seen on the ground with their wings spread. Blackbird – did you know

40. We often think of robins as winter birds but they stay in Britain throughout the year. Males and females look identical, and young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. Although generally it’s the male birds who do all the singing, female robins aren’t letting the boys have it all their own way! Robins are one of the few birds where the female sings too. Robin

41. Robins often choose unusual nest sites – kettles, coat pockets and even the skeleton of a dead cat have been known. Robin Robins look cute but they are aggressive and will fight other robins away from their patch.

42. To create your own digital bird fact file – visit www.rspb.org.uk • Use the RSPB website to check: • drawings of birds • where to see them • when to see them • what they eat • estimated numbers

43. Visit the RSBP website for information relating to: • details on how to get involved in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch • image of birds • bird facts, figures and hints. • bird calls

44. For further information or to obtain a teachers pack on how to make quick and inexpensive bird feeders visit the RSPB website or ring 0300 4568340

45. For further information or to obtain a teachers pack on how to feed birds in winter visit the RSPB website or ring 0300 4568340