SCHOOLS in Cumbria are being encouraged to take part in the world’s biggest bird survey.

The annual RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch, which will run from January 18 to February 1, provides an opportunity for children and teachers to look for and count the birds in their school grounds.

Last year more than 1,300 children and teachers across Cumbria took part in the survey, which revealed that the most common bird was the starling with an average of 6.22 seen per school.

The blackbird and the carrion crow completed the top three, with an average of 6.13 and 5.22 per school respectively.

This year, for the first time, younger children aged between three and five can take part with the Little Schools’ Birdwatch.

Emma Reed, the RSPB’s education officer for northern England, said teachers had commented that they were amazed at how fascinated children were by watching the differences in the ways birds hop, peck, waddle and swoop around birdfeeders.

She said some schools devoted a whole week to learning about wild birds while others held birdwatch breakfasts and after school wildlife clubs.

To take part, watch and count the birds in your school grounds for one hour then send the results to the RSPB.

A free schools pack is available containing guidance notes, a full colour bird identification poster, counting chart and survey form.

For further information visit www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch or ring 0300 456 8340.

The hotline number will be operational until January 28.