World's biggest wildlife survey begins

Children across Wales have been learning how to tell their sparrows from their starlings today as part of the RSPB's biggest wildlife survey.

It marks the start of the charity's Big Schools' Birdwatch, which records the types of birds found in and around school grounds.

Sarah Powell went along to a school in the Vale of Glamorgan to see if she could spot any!

"Seeing it first hand is the single best way to enthuse young people about nature, and by watching birds from their classroom window, they can learn so much" says Tim Wort from RSPB Cymru.

"It's fun, easy and simple to set up, it works for all ages, and even if it's a dull, rainy January day you can still gaze out of the classroom and see a flash of colour."

The Big Schools' Birdwatch helps to track bird numbers in school grounds, and gives the charity an insight into changes in bird populations.

The results contribute towards the annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

Last year's survey found that the most commonly seen garden birds were:

• Blackbird
• Starling
• Black headed gull
• Woodpigeon
• Carrion crow

From today, children in Wales will be taking part in the world's biggest school wildlife survey.

The survey helps to track bird numbers and gives an insight into populations, with the results contributing to the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch - the world's biggest wildlife survey.

Last year, over 4,500 pupils and teachers across Wales counted the birds in their school grounds, discovering the Blackbird to be the most commonly seen.

It was followed by the Starling in second place, and the Black Headed Gull in third.