Dúlra Bird Project

June 27th’s bird class at Kilross PS, Kilcronaghan brought an end to a series of activities which allowed pupils at Bunscoil Naomh Bríd / St.Brigid’s PS, Tirkane, Maghera PS, Glenview PS, Glen PS and Carhill IPS the chance to find out a little bit more about our feathered friends.

The kids at all schools had a great time playing bird bingo which helped them to identify the common garden birds. Feeders were set up in all schools and the pupils had a chance to learn the songs and calls of many garden and woodland birds. They showed great enthusiasm and indeed many of them had already a good knowledge of birds and their habits but the most popular activity was undoubtedly making their own birdboxes some of which were even camouflaged with the help of crayons. In fact, many of the bird boxes were then used by birds as nest boxes both at their respective schools and in Drumnamph Wood.

Learning about birds entails learning about nature and eco-systems but the fact that you can actually watch the birds, keep records, take part in surveys such as the RSPB’s Big School’s Birdwatch, feed them and provide nest boxes means it really is hands on natural science which makes birds so interesting. You can adapt the activities to any or all parts of the curriculum and be rewarded with an enthusiastic response from the pupils, something which all the teachers involved in the programme commented on.

Thanks to the Dúlra project 150 kids in the Maghera area have had a chance to take part in the various activities organized and through the various talks and outings a number of adults also have had the opportunity to find out more about the fascinating world of birds.