BARRHEAD schoolchildren are being urged to swap books for binoculars this term to take part in the nation’s biggest schools wildlife survey.

The RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2017 takes place from now until February 17.

Pupils are being encouraged to discover the wildlife they share their school grounds with and, at the same time, help the RSPB gain a helpful insight into which species are thriving or declining.

Last year, almost 7,500 pupils across Scotland took part by counting the birds that visited their school grounds.

The blackbird was the most common playground visitor in 2016, with 86 per cent of participating schools spotting one of these birds.

Judy Paul, of RSPB Scotland, said: “We hope that the excitement of taking part in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch will inspire children to explore the natural world around them.”

To register for the event, visit ww2.rspb.org.uk/kids-and-schools/kids-at-school/schools-birdwatch