birdwatch

Everyday

1. To birdwatch is to watch wild birds in their natural surroundings as a hobby, often with binoculars and a bird book. tree →
2. A birdwatch is an organised event where people watch and count birds. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons birdwatching helps children learn bird names, songs and habitats. The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch in the UK asks families to count birds for one hour, and the results help scientists. Similar counts happen in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Phrases: go birdwatching, Big Garden Birdwatch, a keen birdwatcher.

Examples

• We birdwatch from the kitchen window every Saturday. tree →
• Grandad took me birdwatching at the lake. tree →
• In the Big Garden Birdwatch we counted seven robins. tree →
• Bring binoculars when you go birdwatching. tree →
• Birdwatchers sit very quietly so they don't scare the birds. tree →
• The school held a birdwatch in the playground. tree →
• She birdwatched for hours and saw a kingfisher. tree →

Note

The activity is usually called «birdwatching» and the person a «birdwatcher» (or «birder», «twitcher» in the UK for very keen people). In maths, birdwatch data are tallies and bar charts.