Students at Saltash.net participated in the Big Bird Watch organised by the RSPB. This involved students collecting real scientific data to identify bird species using Ipads. The Ipads were a huge hit with the students allowing them to document bird sighting, discover scientific information regarding the specific species of birds identified and listen to the individual bird songs.
This is an important ecological survey as the data collected will be used by the RSPB to see a snap shot of bird numbers in the local area. Their data may identify whether some birds are disappearing such as house sparrows and starlings. None of which were identified by the students on the day.
The students participation in the Bird Watch received much local interest and involved ITV Westcountry visiting Saltash.net. to film what they were doing. You can see the news piece here:
(Is there anyway of downloading the video? Or just put the link to it? It will disappear in a few days)
http://www.itv.com/westcountry-west/birdwatching-survey06945/
What the students thought?
“It was nice to do something that would help someone else and be used by real scientists rather than it just for our own learning” Peter Yr8
“I loved using the technology because it made it more interesting rather than just writing down stuff, you find out more about the birds to verify what it was and we could use the Ipads to listen to the sounds they make” Lydia Yr8
“I really enjoyed seeing all the different types of birds using technology I’ve never had contact with before” Georgina Yr9
If you would like to join in with the Big Bird Watch then please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch