Category Archives: RSPB

Amazing scenes were filmed by a passerby in Cambridgeshire recently, scenes that really do show how rainy the weather has been this winter. As we are all quite aware, 2012 has been one of the strangest years for weather in living memory, and not in a good way. Whether it was the sunny November or the rainy summer, we really didn’t know whether we were coming or going this year, and neither did this seal!

The footage taken below shows a seal trying to climb over flood fencing more than 50 miles inland, having swam up the River Ouse from Norfolk. With all the flooding that has occurred throughout the country, the seal seems to have got a bit confused on it’s whereabouts!

The seal was spotted at the RSPB’s Fen Drayton Lakes reserve, near St Ives in Norfolk. Wildlife workers for the charity remarked that seals can sometimes be spotted inland in the rivers, but not FIFTY MILES inland!

Graham Elliot from the RSPB, said –

It would be the first time this has happened to my knowledge, that one has made its way into the lake. The floods normally come from ground water rather than the river and so if there is one it must have worked its way up in a ditch or something like that. It would be tremendous if one is there. It would be extremely unusual and it would become an attraction to visitors.

It’s amazing how much the weather can effect just us, but also the in built navigational systems of the animals around us! Here’s hoping that little seal managed to back it’s way back to the safety of the sea. If you would like to learn more about the work of the RSPB, check out our dedicated charity page for more information.

RSPB charity officials are asking you to be careful this winter when feeding the birds, and are also offering some helpful advice in how to look after your garden visitors as the big freeze sets in.

At this time of year, it is very common for birds to become entangled in the wire mesh netting of their feeders, which can be a potential death trap. As natural food sources become scarce, many birds depend on the food that we provide to survive, so please remove seeds carefully from their packaging and transfer to a suitable feeder.

The RSPB is suggesting that calorie rich food is the perfect christmas presents to leave out for the birds, and suggest –

• Mixed seed
• Suet sprinkles
• Sunflower seeds
• Peanuts
• Mild grated cheese
• Rice
• Porridge oats

Offering a fresh supply of water is also essential for birds during winter, as much of theirs is frozen solid overnight, leaving nothing for bathing and preening. A great way to do this is to leave a small ball, like a ping pong ball, in the bowl. This will then be moved by the breeze and ensure that not all the water is frozen over. Also, pouring hot water on the ice first thing in the morning will provide birds water for the rest of the day. You could make it a morning ritual with your cup!

Head of RSPB wildlife enquiries, Val Osborne, said –

Surprisingly, the netting that surrounds fat balls, peanuts and seed sold for bird food is one of the most dangerous things that can be put out in our gardens. Despite suggesting they must be safe to wildlife because of the way they’re sold, the mesh and netting can easily trap birds’ feet and beaks, causing severe injury or even death. Many suppliers of bird food now stock products without these potential death traps, but unfortunately, some have not followed suit and are still using these dangerous and unnecessary plastic mesh wrappers. Not only can they cause injury or worse to wild birds but they are just one more hazardous item of plastic to go into landfill. As the harsh weather arrives, the extra food, water and shelter we provide for birds and other creatures could be the difference between life and death for many species.

If you would like to learn more about the amazing work of the RSPB, or would like to order some delicious treats for the wildlife in your garden this winter, check out our dedicated charity page for more information.

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RSPB officials were surprised to find an elusive cave spider at their Minsmere nature reserve in Suffolk. This rarely seen arachnid was found in a shed two weeks ago, but RSPB charity staff needed to receive verification on it’s species before going public on the discovery.

Talking of public, citizens can now request to view the spider at the reserve’s visitor centre, with people flocking from far and wide to check out this rare discovery. Cave spiders usually live in the dark, maybe this one is wearing shades! They are normally found in places where there is little or no daylight and eat woodlice, flies and various other small insects.

The spider is a female spider, and is guarding it’s egg. The egg looks like a cotton wool ball and contains up to 300 spider eggs. The mother spider will look after the egg until she dies, but by next spring the babies will appear and go off to make new homes of their own, but more than likely in the dark like the rest of their species. this is a true one off and has become quite a talking point at the nature reserve in Suffolk.

Ian Barthorpe, from RSPB Minsmere, said –

Although cave spiders are probably not uncommon, because of their habitat requirements of total darkness they’re not often seen and so are very under-recorded. No-one really knows how many we have in the UK, so finding one here at Minsmere is a real treat. This spider wont be around for much longer – she’s done all the hard work and will soon die – so anyone who wants to see her better come soon.

The RSPB flagship nature reserve in Suffolk is one of the finest places to view wildlife in the UK. With a great cross section of woodland, wetland and coastal views, it’s the perfect place to visit rare birds throughout the year. If you would like to learn more about the work of the RSPB or would like to purchase a membership to visit site like Minsmere, check out our dedicated page for more information on how you can help to keep Britain great.

RSPB representatives are pleased to announce that Henry Edmunds has been awarded their esteemed ‘Nature in Farming Award’ for 2012. Henry, who runs an organic farm on the Cholderton Estate in Wiltshire, received an amazing 17,000 votes from the general public for his fantastic work over the last 30 years.

Cholderton is a mixed organic farm where they try to offer modern agriculture whilst preserving the countryside and the surrounding area. Their motto, ‘sustainable agriculture in practice’ has stood them in fantastic stead over the past 30 years, and it’s great to see Henry receive this prestigious award after all his hard work. The Nature of Farming Awards 2012 is sponsored by The Telegraph newspaper, plus Plantlife and the Butterfly Conservation.

The Whiltshire farm is a thriving home to many flowers and insects, with a wide range of bees, moths and butterflies finding their homes amongst the corn bunting and crops. Alongside the local wildlife, the farm provides a wide selection of delicious produce that is not only great to eat, but also a fantastic place for the local nature to thrive.

Mr Edmunds said –

I am delighted to win the Nature of Farming award for 2012. This represents the culmination of many years of habitat improvement on the Cholderton Estate. The whole process has been underpinned by the organic farming regime which has allowed many rare and endangered plants, birds and butterflies to flourish. The farming system is based on permanent and temporary grassland with mixed cropping, with an emphasis on sustainability. Large areas of chalk downland are being restored and populations of ground nesting birds like Lapwings are encouraged and protected. I am grateful for the advice and support I have received over the years from both the RSPB and Natural England, together with much encouragement and help from many interested and knowledgeable people. And of course I would like to thank the many people who voted for me.

A massive well done to Mr Edumnds, it’s people like him that will hopefully help to raise new British farming to a different plateau for others to emulate. With consumers caring more and more about how their foot is produced, the work at Cholderton shows that you don’t have to mass produce to be successful. People care just as much now about the method of farming as they do the price, so here’s hoping more companies see Henry’s success and take on board his methods to winning awards though nurturing nature.

If you would like to learn more about the RSPB, or would like to join their amazing membership scheme, why not check out our dedicated charity page for more information on their fantastic work across the country.

The RSPB recently teaming up with amateur wildlife watchers across the UK to help in their search for one of the countries most threatened birds. The Turtle Dove is mostly known for it’s role in the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ and not due to regular sightings, but thanks to ‘Operation Turtle Dove’, 429 sights on the elusive bird have been called in.

The Turtle Dove is the UK’s most threatened farmland bird, but due to this joint campaign by RSPB, Conservation Grade, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and Natural England, sightings from far and wide show that their are more of this bird than predicted. Sightings included –

• 112 in Norfolk
• 69 in Suffolk
• 61 in Cambridgeshire
• 32 in Essex
• 29 in Kent
• 20 in Lincolnshire

There were even two sightings on the Welsh coast, an area not usually known to house turtle doves. Since the 1970’s, Turtle Dove numbers have dropped dramatically, with less than 10% left across England and Wales. A change of diet from small seeds to crop seeds appears to be the main cause, though nobody is quite sure how a 90% drop can be blame solely on dietary requirements.

Alison Gardner from Operation Turtle Dove, said –

It’s great that we’ve already had so many people supporting Operation Turtle Dove and looking out for these birds.  At this time of year, just before turtle doves head off on migration, juveniles and family groups are easier to spot so we’re hoping for some more reports before the season’s out and are appealing to anyone who spots a turtle dove to call and give us as much information as possible.

Operation Turtle Dove has been a great success thanks to the input of the general public. Here’s hoping that thanks to this increase of sightings, more can be done to save this beautiful bird from extinction.

If you would like to learn more about the work of this amazing wildlife charity, or would like to purchase an RSPB membership, check out our dedicated page where there is more information on how you can help protect rare birds and their habitats.

Amazing scenes from the RSPB, where a confused baby bird had an identity crisis and thought it was a puppy! A family from Stockport, who were on holiday in Cornwall, had a surprise when the young bird flew out of a bush and landed on their pet dog’s back. The friendly goldfinch used their Greyhound-cross Scooby as a perch, and then tried to give the other dog Rebel a kiss!

Luckily the Roberts family, who were holidaying in Tamar Lakes in Bude, Cornwall, managed to whip out the camera in time to catch the amazing scenes and send the to the RSPB.

Mr Roberts said –

When the little goldfinch flew out of the bush and straight onto Scooby’s back we were all shocked and a little worried about what might happen next.  Scooby was a little surprised at first too, but thanks to his gentle nature he didn’t seem bothered and happily let the bird sit on his back – he even walked round with it for a while.  It was such an amazing moment; my kids haven’t stopped talking about it and showing the pictures to their friends.  For those five minutes we all connected with nature and it’s something we’ll never forget – not even the dogs!

Just goes to show you how fearless young birds can be at an early age, as I’d be surprised if you saw an adult bird pull off something so daring. If you would like to become a member of the RSPB, like the Roberts family, check out our dedicated charity page. Here you can find out more about what you receive with your membership, and also the hard work the RSPB put in to looking after the countries most endangered birds.

RSPB UK is obviously getting into the seasonal spirit of things, as they have decided to extend their free joining gift for all adult and family memberships until Wednesday 4th January 2012. That’s right if you order before then you can still receive a choice of –

• BBC Britain’s Best Wildlife book
• RSPB picnic blanket
• RSPB Handbook of British Birds

This could be the perfect late Christmas charity gift for a friend or loved one, as there’s still time to order membership online and then download a certificate to give on the big day.

Not only will the recipient receive the free joining gift when ordering before midnight on Wednesday 4th January 2012, but will of course also gain free entry to over 100 beautiful RSPB nature reserves in the UK, plus an exclusive magazine four times a year that’s packed with articles and stunning photography.

So why not order today and take advantage of this amazing free gift from RSPK UK, and make the most of the stunning wildlife that is on show during the festive period.

Help Raise Funds for RSPB with a Membership

Don’t forget, if you sign up today to an RSPB membership you will also receive –

• Free entry to over 100 beautiful nature reserves
• Free Handbook of British Birds
• Free quarterly Magazine
• Free welcome pack

For every £1 that you provide with your membership fee, 90p of it will go towards current and future conservation projects. Plus with the Big Garden Birdwatch just around the corner, now is the perfect time to ‘join up and join in’ with all the fun!

Why not surprise a friend or loved one this Christmas and purchase them an RPSB membership? This novel and original charity gift idea is the perfect present for that special someone who’s ‘got everything’. Come to think of it, it’s also the perfect present for somebody who is interested is birds and nature!

Plus, if you order an adult membership online before midnight on Saturday 17th December 2011 you will now receive a choice of free gift, with a choice of Britain’s Best Wildlife book, an RSPB picnic blanket or the RSPB Handbook of British Birds. Plus you even get a choice of a wildlife stationery set, wildlife organiser or RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds when you order a children’s membership.

An adult membership costs from just £3 a month, so it won’t break the bank, and look how much use the receiver can get out of it in a year –

• FREE joining gift choice for adults & families
• FREE entry to over 100 beautiful RSPB nature reserves in the UK
• FREE joining gift for kids
• FREE exclusive magazine 4 times a year

So why not try something a bit different this year and surprise someone special WITH something special like an RSPB membership. With all these free gifts plus hundreds of reserves to choose from, the recipient will still be using you gift all the way till next Christmas, and not just till Boxing Day.