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New Pokémon-style birdwatching app aims to connect children with nature

the bird app next to a photo of a birdPixabay

Gotta spot 'em all!... A Pokémon style app for birdwatching has launched in the UK.

The people behind the Birdex app says they are aiming to get people engaging with nature more.

Users get points for each bird they see and can compete with friends.

It works by allowing people to collect digital cards of UK bird species whenever they record seeing one.

Less common and rare birds get the greatest rewards.

A coal tit and a blue tit feeding from a bird feederGetty Images

One of the developers of the app, Harry Scott, said the aim was to engage young people in nature.

"Birds are great," said Scott. "I think birdwatching and Pokémon do share a lot of similarities," he added.

At the moment, the app uses AI illustrations of the birds, but Harry and the team plan to hire artists in the future.

The app is currently free to use, though some content or features may charge in the future.

So far users of Birdex have counted appearances of more than 200,000 birds.

Top bird-spotting tips

a pair of goldfinchesGetty Images

Some users of the app say it should warn people not to disturb birds when they are nesting.

Katie Nethercoat, who is an expert from the RSPB's wildlife team offered some top tips for bird watching safely.

"It's always great to find new ways of having fun outdoors. There's some really easy things you can do to help your chances of safely spotting birds."

  1. Stick to paths and try not to get too close to them – find a comfy spot and if you have some, use binoculars because they'll help you see them from further away. But they're not essential.

  2. Keeping still and quiet and being alert to tiny movements are the real bird-watching superpowers!

  3. And remember not to disturb any birds on nests, as a scared parent might not return to its eggs or its chicks." she said.