{"id":1598,"date":"2021-02-19T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/?p=1598"},"modified":"2021-02-22T15:18:42","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T15:18:42","slug":"rspbs-big-schools-birdwatch-takes-flight-in-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/2021\/02\/19\/rspbs-big-schools-birdwatch-takes-flight-in-lockdown\/","title":{"rendered":"RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes flight during lockdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gather your children, ready your binoculars and scan your gardens for everything from aquatic warblers to yellowhammers as the RSPB celebrates its Big Schools\u2019 Birdwatch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this year marks the event\u2019s 20th<\/sup> anniversary, it is a little different than most due to the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the UK, school children are pushing aside their pencils and taking a break from their remote learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, the RSPB is asking them to fill up their bird feeders in their gardens or take notes from the playground as they record how many birds they can spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blue tit<\/em> perched on a branch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lucy Hodson, a spokesperson from the RSPB, says the event provides a great opportunity for kids to get outside and engage with nature.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: “We know its good for our mental health, for our physical health like air quality, getting outside and it\u2019s just escapism. It\u2019s just getting away from the hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“And, as we know, nature is declining in so many areas \u2013 and so many species are in trouble \u2013 that we need people to take action and that kind of passion sparks when you are very young.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n