HUNDREDS of children in Oxfordshire will discover the birds in their playgrounds as part of one of the UK’s biggest ever nature surveys.

Classrooms will be turned into bird hides, binoculars fixed to eyes and children urged to stare out of the window in a bid to chart Britain’s wildlife.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ (RSPB) annual Big Schools’ Birdwatch, which runs for two weeks from Monday, encourages children and their teachers to look for and count the birds that share their school environment.

Last year, a record 1,494 children and teachers from 36 schools in the county took part in the event.

One school getting involved is Beckley Primary School, near Oxford.

Teacher Margaret Wilson said: “We get involved every year because it is a great way for the children to discover the environment which is around them.

“We are also very close to the RSPB’s Otmoor Reserve, which we visit every year, so the children already have an interest in birds.”

More than 20 species have been recorded in Oxfordshire school grounds, ranging from starlings and house sparrows, to rooks and pied wagtails.

The blackbird took the top spot in 2009, with an average of five seen per school.

RSPB officer Rachel Wheeler said wild birds offered schools an “unbeatable teaching resource”, adding: “The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a great opportunity to introduce lots of children to the wildlife visiting their school.

“Experiencing wildlife first-hand is a vital part of a child’s education and research has found that such activities can benefit a child’s health both mentally and physically.

“We want Governments to make a greater commitment to ensure every child has regular, quality, first-hand experiences of the natural environment.

“How can we expect them to care about the natural world if they don’t experience and enjoy it?”

Schools in the county are still being urged to get involved with the survey.

To take part, watch and count the birds in your school grounds for one hour over the fortnight, then send the results to the RSPB detailing what you saw.

No birdwatching expertise is necessary and the RSPB has produced a free schools pack including guidance notes, a full colour bird identification poster, counting charts and survey form.

A Little Schools’ Birdwatch is also available for younger children, with a different pack being available.

To sign up, log on to rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch or call 0300 456 8340