David Luke supports RSPB's Big Schools' Birdwatch

Get your binoculars and eagle eyes at the ready! It’s the time of year again when children and adults all over the country come together to participate in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch. The event is organised by The Royal Society of Protection to Birds (RSPB), the largest nature conservation charity in the UK. In recent years, species numbers, particularly of birds, have fallen rapidly. The RSPB work to protect nature and nurture their recovery through research, public education, partnerships and conservation work. This event sees the public coming together to record species numbers over a one hour period. This year, RSPB are dedicating a full 45 days to their annual Big Schools’ Birdwatch. The event offers school children the chance to immerse themselves in nature and to learn about the different species that visit our gardens and school grounds. As well as allowing RSPB to collect data from around the country about species of birds and their behaviour, The Big Schools’ Birdwatch allows people to connect with the environment, animals and their habitats in the hope that learning about and looking out for nature will encourage them to become actively involved in their conservation. To take part, teachers or group leaders can register and receive a free bird identification poster so that students can discover new species in the lead up to their bird watch. Taking part only takes one hour and is a fun and educational activity for all ages and abilities. If your child's school isn't taking part in the Big Schools' Birdwatch this year, RSPB are also hosting the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend, 28th-30th January, offering the perfect chance to involve the whole family. Open a bird cafe in your garden and get up close and personal with various species of birds. In no time you'll be able to distinguish the bright yellow feathers of a Goldfinch or the eating habits of a Starling. K. However, it isn't just birds that participants noted. Many were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Hedgehogs and Grey Squirrels too! With over half a million people taking part in the birdwatch, coupled with over 35 years worth of data, the event allows RSPB to monitor trends to see how various species are getting on, especially with the evergrowing threat of climate change. In 2016, over 8 million birds were counted over the course of the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend, with the House Sparrow coming out on top as the most common bird in the U That's where we come in! As a company, David Luke are dedicated to protecting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint to help conserve the natural world around us. We create fabric for our school uniforms from recycled plastic bottles and have, so far, saved over 20 million 2L plastic bottles from going to landfill and into our oceans. You can find out more at https://www.davidluke.com/sustainable-future/eco-products. Tell us if you're taking part in the Big Garden or Big Schools’ Birdwatch and which species you are most hoping to see. If you happen to have a camera at the ready tweet us your pictures @David_Luke.