Belfast teacher reveals how RSPB Birdwatch helps build pupils' self esteem and mental health

Pupils at a West Belfast special school were out in search of robins and chaffinches ahead of this weekend’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

Armed with binoculars and a willingness to learn the youngsters closed their eyes and listened for the birdsong among the trees at St Gerard’s with the help of two RSPB NI experts.

Sean O’Reilly, 14, told us: “We were just closing our eyes and listening to the birds and stuff... it was very good.

“Then we looked at some birds in our wee nature area and they actually looked very nice.”

His year 10 teacher, Fiontánn McCotter, said the school is taking part in the RSPB’s Big School Birdwatch to “give the children an interest in their local environment and the birds that they can see”.

“The benefits to outdoor learning are immeasurable.

“It boosts their self esteem, self confidence and it gives them a sense of wonder and curiosity.

“The benefits to their emotional, physical and mental health are immeasurable.”

“Big Schools Birdwatch runs alongside Big Garden Birdwatch and what we are trying to do is get children more interested and it’s a brilliant way to get them outdoors and explore,” said RSPB NI’s Catherine O’Boyle.

“We encourage them to put out food for the birds and make their schools more nature friendly too.

“Birds are a brilliant indicator in the rest of the natural world so if you are bereft of birds you are going to be bereft of other creatures.

“They need their habitat, they need their food so if we are finding there’s falls with certain types of birds we can match that up with other animals.”

Everyone can take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2022. All you have to do is count the birds that land in your garden from January 28-30. See rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for more details.

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