Bird count for schools

Connect students with nature and citizen science.

Why schools should count

The Aussie Bird Count is a fun, educational way for students to build curiosity about the natural world, develop STEM skills and participate in real-world science.

Whether you’re in the classroom, out in the schoolyard, or running a lunchtime nature club, the Count invites students to spend just 20 minutes observing and recording the birds they see using our free app or printable tally sheet.

By taking part, your school helps students:

Explore local biodiversity in a meaningful way
Discover how everyday actions contribute to citizen science
Build observation and inquiry skills aligned with the curriculum
Enjoy outdoor learning experiences, away from screens

We’ve made it easy, with free lesson plans, printable resources, Count tips and digital assets to help you promote and run a successful activity.

Get your school involved

Step 1: Register

Step 2: Promote

Use our posters, and worksheet resources to get students excited about the Count.

Step 3: Participate

Create connection, build curiosity, and bring learning to life in your own schoolyard.

Step 4: Share

Post your school’s contribution to citizen science by tagging us in your social posts.

What’s included when you register

By registering your school for the Aussie Bird Count, you’ll receive access to a range of free classroom-ready resources to help you run an engaging, curriculum-aligned activity during the Count.

About the lesson plans

We offer two types of lesson plans designed to suit different teaching needs:

Early Learners Package: a flexible and informal learning pack designed for children aged 3+, ideal for early educators and lower primary.
Upper Primary Lesson Plans: developed for Years 5 and 6 and aligned with the Australian Curriculum (F–10 Version 9.0), but easily adaptable for younger students.

These inquiry-based resources include two lessons and suggested activities. They encourage students to explore citizen science by observing birds in schoolyards or nearby nature spaces. Students will learn how to collect, analyse and interpret data, while learning about bird habitats and conservation in a way that’s both educational and fun.

Lesson plans are included as part of your school registration.

Extra classroom resources

Backyard Birds Posters (available for select regions).

We also offer a collection of free downloadable materials to enhance your students’ Count experience, including:

Bird Bingo – a printable, interactive way to spot and identify common birds.
Bird-themed colouring pages, spot the difference activity page, and tracker printable sheet – fun for younger students or as a creative wind-down.
How to count flyer – printable asset to share among your school.

These can be used before, during or after the Count to extend learning and engagement.