A joint community venture in Aberdeen to launch a new storybook and bird-spotting guide has been officially recognised by the Scottish Parliament.
The Muckle Birdie Match, a newly published children’s book celebrating the wildlife, creativity and community spirit of Torry, has led to a Parliamentary motion by Liam Kerr, MSP.
The motion recognised the launch of the 40-page storybook and acknowledges the collaborative project developed by Sport Aberdeen, ETZ, Doric Books, The Habitat People and Denis Law Legacy Trust.
Created by pupils from Tullos School, the story is set in the heart of Torry and tells the story of two rival bird football teams competing both on the pitch and within their habitats. When a Green Lintie (Greenfinch) and a Chye (Chaffinch) meet by chance at a local bird table, they discover that they don’t need to be enemies after all and that friendship is much more important than rivalry.
The heartwarming tale was written through a series of creative workshops involving Primary 3 and Primary 6 pupils from Tullos School during 2025. Led by Doric Books CIC, the workshops introduced pupils to the Doric names for local birds and helped them learn more about the birds themselves. Aaron and Jackie from Doric Books worked with the children to develop a story that brought together ideas from across the different classes, as well as running art sessions showing pupils how to draw the birds featured in the tale. Through the workshops, the children contributed their own ideas and illustrations, helping to shape the story and bring its characters and local setting to life.
From left, Kelsey Seivwright, Aimee Culley (Denis Law Legacy Trust); Jackie Ross (Doric Books); Natalie Brown, Wendy Carrick, Katrina Carr (Sport Aberdeen) launched The Muckle Birdie Match storybook at Tullos School earlier this year
In a Scottish parliamentary motion lodged this week, Mr Kerr, MSP, said the organisations involved hoped the book would “encourage children and families to explore the local wildlife more deeply and develop a greater appreciation of their local natural environment.”
The motion was supported by other MSPs and published on the Scottish Parliament website.
Natalie Brown, Project Activator at Sport Aberdeen, who played a key role in facilitating the creation of the storybook, said: “We are so proud to see The Muckle Birdie Match receive national recognition in Parliament.
“The children have been at the heart of this project from the very beginning, bringing their own ideas, characters and drawings to bring the story to life. We’re delighted to have had the support of the teachers and all our partner organisations, allowing us to create something that local families can enjoy for years to come.”
The project was shaped, mentored and funded through ETZ Ltd’s Community & Coast Programme, building on an earlier environmental initiative that saw The Habitat People and Denis Law Legacy Trust work with pupils from Lochside Academy to create bird boxes for the local area.
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team then joined the project to help develop the concept into a lasting educational resource for local families.
The finished publication also features a field guide packed with information about the bird species that can be found in St Fittick’s Park and the surrounding area.
Carole Monnier, ETZ Ltd Community Lead, said: “It’s wonderful to see all the hard work and enthusiasm of the pupils at Tullos School officially recognised in this way.
“Through our Community & Coast programme, we are proud to support projects that help connect local communities with their environment and create opportunities for families to learn about the wildlife on their doorstep.”
Councillor Martin Greig, convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, Aberdeen City Council, said: “The council is always seeking to encourage and support the joy of reading and story telling.
“This collaboration with Sport Aberdeen is an excellent example of our shared ambition to promote the love of books and to develop literacy skills. It’s great that pupils have led this project. They have been so creative and purposeful. The focus on birds is an excellent choice to develop understanding of the natural world combined with the fun of discovering new things together.”
The Muckle Birdie Match is available to purchase for £10 at www.doricbooks.com and is also available to borrow from the library at Greyhope Community Centre.