Parents in Chelmsford are being given the opportunity to take their children to a series of fun, free wild bird workshops to support the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch this January.

From January 23, Pets at Home in Chelmsford will be hosting a series of My Pet Pals Wild Bird workshops, to educate the next generation of animal lovers on how to care responsibly for their flying friends and help provide them with all the tools they need to care for local birds and wildlife.

The workshops will cover how to help birds survive the colder months, how and what to feed them and how human behaviour can negatively affect the wildlife around us. There will also be fun games and activities to get involved.

Children will also be able to learn how to recognise which bird is which as well as ways to attract certain species of birds to their gardens and local outdoor spaces via materials provided through the My Pet Pals workshops.

Pets at Home colleagues will be providing friendly expertise helping ensure children learn everything they can to help wild birds while having fun.

More than half a million people from across the UK are set to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch by counting the birds in their gardens from January 28 to 30. They will also make a record of the other wildlife they see, providing a vital snapshot of UK nature.

Store manager, Matthew Chilver, says: “We are very excited about welcoming children to My Pet Pals Wild Bird workshops to support the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. It’s a great way for children to learn about the importance of being responsible for the wildlife around them, while having fun at the same time. The workshops also provide a free way for children to learn about how to care for animals, even if they don’t have a pet themselves."

John Capper, RSPB national account manager, added: “Pets at Home workshops provide a unique opportunity for our young people to learn more about the different birds in their local community and how to look after them. By attending these events we hope children will have all the knowledge they need to get involved in our Big Garden Birdwatch.”

After completing the workshops, each child will receive an A3 poster to help them identify the birds around where they live, activity sheets and stickers to take home. They will also be given a leaflet which details how to send off for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch pack, which encourages children to spot different bird breeds when out in the garden.

To find out more about My Pet Pals Wild Bird workshops and book your place, visit petsathome.com/workshops.