birds

A Devon filmmaker and expedition leader is embarking upon his most ambitious project – attempting to capture the complete soundtrack of every species of Scottish seabird.

Roland Arnison is based on Dartmoor, but has worked around the world, including leading British Exploring Society and Biosphere Expeditions trips to some of the world’s most remote locations and landscapes.

Now, the 53-year-old, is swapping the South West of England for the west coast of Scotland for a three month sea kayaking voyage to attempt to discover and record all 25 species of Scottish seabirds...

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey returns this month, with hundreds of thousands of people watching and counting the UK’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

Over half a million people took part in 2023, counting more than nine million birds. In Devon, nearly 10,900 people took part, with the House Sparrow taking the top spot as the most commonly seen bird, followed by Blue Tit and Blackbird.

This year’s event takes place on 26, 27 and 28 January 2024. People in Devon are asked to spend an hour watching and counting...

RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the largest garden wildlife survey in the world and provides a snapshot of how garden birds are faring in the UK.

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey returns this month, with hundreds of thousands of people watching and counting the UK’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

Nearly 700,000 people took part in 2022, counting 11 million birds. In Devon, nearly 18,500 people joined in. 

This year’s event takes place on 27, 28 and 29 January 2023. People in Devon are asked to spend just one...

Get up close to nature and learn all there is to know about garden birds this January in preparation for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Whether you’re kick starting the new year with a brand-new interest or just looking to brush up on your birdwatching, we’ve got the event for you.

Get ready for your Big Garden Birdwatch at our FREE Make a Bird Feeder event, in the Lookout Garden at RSPB Bowling Green Marsh on Sunday 22 January. Drop in anytime between 10:00am-1:00pm to get crafty, then take home and hang your feeder in your garden to attract your local birds before the big...

Three thousand miles away in the northern arctic tundra, the iconic Brent Geese are on their way to Devon in search of food and milder climates. Their arrival heralds a spectacular time of year for wildlife on the internationally important Exe Estuary.

Brent geese are social animals. Feeding flocks can be several hundred strong and family groups stay together from one breeding season to the next. As they migrate each winter, the adult pair may have this and last year’s young birds with them. Watching them as they arrive in the autumn on the Exe Estuary and at Exmouth Duck Pond is...

HOME and garden retailer wilko is backing charity calls for the nation to get their hands dirty ahead of the heatwave in order to help migrating and endangered birds, who will struggle to build their nests while temperatures soar.

The earlier than expected arrival of very hot weather may be fun for families but sadly can impact the nation’s feathered friends, as the heat will harden the ground and leave birds such as house martins, swifts and swallows without enough sludge to build their nests and stay safe.

These bird species have rapidly fallen in numbers and charities...

The RSPB are appealing for volunteers across Devon and Cornwall to help them carry out their annual Cirl Bunting Survey, between April-August of this year. People can register to take part in the survey on the Cirl Bunting Action Hub, visit: bit.ly/RSPBCirlHub

Here volunteers can select a 2km by 2km survey square local to their home on the RSPB’s map and plan a survey route through their chosen patch along Public Rights of Way and covering the areas that cirl buntings are likely to make their homes. No specialist skills are needed to take part other than an interest in birds and...

People have been noticing nature much more during lockdowns, as garden birds and other wildlife have helped lift spirits and connect us to the world outside. A recent survey commissioned by the RSPB showed that 41% of participants reported seeing wildlife near their homes that they had never noticed before between 2020 and 2021.

Almost half of the UK population have said they have tried to attract nature to their gardens but the RSPB is keen to highlight that many of our threatened species don’t use gardens and nest boxes when raising young.

Over half of England’s most...

The RSPB in Devon are encouraging people to show themselves some love and care this Valentine’s Day by reconnecting with their local wildlife and greenspaces.

Inviting people in Devon to enjoy a walk at a nature reserve near them, the RSPB are on hand to help you discover local birdsong and take part in National Nestbox Week from 14-21 February.

Morwenna Alldis, spokesperson for the RSPB says: “Last year many of us probably missed out on our Valentine’s hearts and flowers because it was difficult to spend time with the people we love and care for during lockdown....