Events – Page 2 – Hoopoe

The Big Garden Birdwatch: NHBS Staff Results 2024

The RSPB’s 45th Big Garden Birdwatch took place between Friday 26th and Sunday 28th January 2024. This annual event is one of the largest citizen science wildlife surveys in the UK and helps us gain an understanding of how our garden bird populations are changing in abundance and distribution over time. Over half a million people took part in last year’s event, recording a total of 9.1 million birds. House Sparrows took first place, despite a gradual 57% decrease in sightings since the first Birdwatch Count in 1979. They were closely followed by the Blue Tit and Starling.

Although the Big Garden Birdwatch has finished, there is still time to submit your results on the RSPB website by the 18th February, or by post before the 13th February. Even if you didn’t see anything, it still counts!

With birds being faced with an increasing number of challenges each year, it’s more important than ever to make your garden and outdoor space wildlife friendly. This can include installing bird feeders or tables which provide an important food source throughout the winter months when natural food sources are scarce., You can also provide clean, fresh drinking water in shallow containers such as bird baths or saucers, and install nest boxes for breeding in the spring. Also, don’t forget to regularly clean and maintain your feeders and baths as this helps stop the spread of disease. Head over to the RSPB website to find out more about how you can help your garden birds.

A robin stood on top of a wet wooden fencepost. — Robin – Catherine Mitson

Results

As usual, many of our staff took part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch from their gardens or local parks across Devon, and we recorded a total of 129 birds and 22 different species. Compared to last years results, there was a 31% increase in sightings, while an additional nine species were spotted in this year’s count. The most sighted bird was the Carrion Crow, closely followed by the Blue Tit and Magpie. In comparison, the county’s top birds were the House Sparrow, Blue Tit and Starling.

Sabine took part in the event from her garden and spotted:

3 Carrion Crow

2 Wood Pigeon

1 Robin

2 Magpie

1 Blackbird

1 Song Thrush

Common Wood Pigeon sat on a small wooden bird feeder house by a Silver Birch tree. — Wood Pigeon – Oli Haines

Oli took part in the event from his garden and spotted:

3 Blackbirds

2 Woodpigeon

3 Jackdaw

2 Blue tits

1 Dunnock

1 Great tit

1 Robin

1 Magpie

1 Goldfinch

Adam took part in the event from his garden and spotted:

2 Blackbirds

6 Blue Tits

1 Chaffinch

2 Great Tits

4 House Sparrow

Photograph of a Dunnock sat on a wooden fencepost in a garden looking up at the sky about to fly off. — Dunnock – Oli Haines

Catherine took part in the event from her garden and spotted:

2 Collared Dove

2 Jackdaw

4 Starling

1 Woodpigeon

Mark took part in the event from his local park and spotted:

5 Parakeets

12 Crows

4 Magpies

10 Herring Gull

Blackbird stood on a branch with trees and blue sky behind it. — Blackbird – Catherine Mitson

Elle took part in the event from her garden and spotted:

2 Blue Tits

1 Dunnock

1 Grey Wagtail

2 Wood Pigeon

1 Magpie

1 Great Tit

Mal took part in the event from her local park and spotted:

3 Carrion Crow

1 Buzzard

Daniel took part in the event from his garden and spotted:

10 Chaffinch

7 Blue Tits

5 Long Tailed Tits

4 House Sparrow

3 Great Tits

2 Goldfinch

1 Coal Tit

1 Blackbird

1 Wren

1 Dunnock

1 Robin

Female Blackbird stood on grass covered in leaves. — Blackbird – Catherine Mitson

We’d also love to hear what you spotted if you took part – let us know in the comments below.

The RSPB:

For more information on UK garden birds, identification guides, the 2024 Big Garden Birdwatch, past results and more, please visit the RSPB website.

Free Webinar: Cold Weather Soundscapes; from Arctic Coasts to Alpine Valleys

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Researchers are using bioacoustics to study how animals in cold-weather environments hear and process sound, why they vocalise, and whether acoustic tools can help mitigate conflicts. Meanwhile, artists are documenting the impact of climate change, recording the sound of melting glacial ice to curate immersive exhibits.

How are their efforts drawing attention to fragile ecosystems? Find out at the Wildlife Acoustics FREE webinar at 3pm (GMT) on 8th February!

Click here to register your place.

FEATURING

The Cry Wolf Project: Bioacoustics & Carnivores in Yellowstone National Park

Come and learn about how bioacoustics are being used to study wolf vocalisations in the remote and often wintery locations of Yellowstone National Park. We’ll cover the use of wildlife recorders for studying the function of wolf vocalisations, generating population estimates, and mediating wildlife-livestock conflicts. We’ll also demonstrate how Kaleidoscope Pro classifiers were used to find wolf vocalisations in large recording datasets. Most importantly, we’ll have fun listening to never-before-heard wild wolf sounds, recorded non-invasively in 2023.

Un Suono in Estinzione (A Sound in Extinction) – Adamello Glacier, Italian Alps

Hear the results of an experimental research project aimed at monitoring the implications of climate change on Alpine glaciers through the analysis of sound expressed in educational, artistic, and scientific activities. Un Suono in Estinzione (A Sound in Extinction) began in 2020 with researcher and sound artist Sergio Maggioni, around whom a team of professionals from different fields was created in a short time. Learn about the results of this fascinating bioacoustics project and its inspiration.

Acoustic Sensory Ecology of Diving Alcid Seabirds & Potential Noise Impacts

Alcid seabirds like the Atlantic Puffin are important components of holarctic coastal ecosystems and may derive important acoustic cues from the surrounding natural soundscape. As people increasingly utilise Arctic coastal areas, it is essential to characterise these soundscapes as a baseline for understanding seabird acoustic biology so that we can quantify the effects of human activity on their acoustic ecology over time. Learn how passive acoustic monitoring was used to document and describe the aerial soundscape dynamics of puffins and other Alcids seabirds such as Common Murres and Marbled Murrelets, and explore how these soundscapes may be related to their acoustic sensory biology.

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PRESENTERS

Jeff Reed, PhD
CEO | Grizzly Systems
Montana, United States

Jeff Reed was born and raised in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in southwest Montana, United States, and owns Reedfly Farm in Paradise Valley, Montana. After obtaining a PhD in computational linguistics and history, Jeff spent 30 years in the technology industry, working on linguistics and artificial intelligence solutions, and now builds visual and audio tech solutions for wildlife managers. He is an executive committee member of the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group and Wild Livelihoods, promoting the coexistence of people and wildlife (though he considers people wildlife, too!).

Sergio Maggioni (NEUNAU)
Lead Artist | Un Suono in Estinzione
Adamello-Presanella Alps | Lombardy, Italy

Sergio Maggioni (aka NEUNAU), Researcher and Artist

Sergio Maggioni is the mastermind behind NEUNAU, an artistic sound research project born in Val Camonica, Italy, in 2015. The artist’s namesake is engraved on a rock in Loa, a place of worship from the Iron Age. NEUNAU’s investigations begin with the details a sound source expresses, first capturing and then exploring the sound to compose audio tracks, documentary films, specific performances, and installations that tell the story of the sound’s origins. In 2020, Sergio became the lead artist of Un Suono in Estinzione (A Sound in Extinction), an experimental research project that monitors the implications of climate change on Alpine glaciers through sound analysis in collaboration with universities, institutions, and partners.

Adam Smith, PhD
Postdoctoral Investigator | Dept of Biology Marine Bioacoustics
University of Southern Denmark | Syddanmark, Denmark

Adam Smith, PhD, grew up in a small town in South Dakota, United States, but became fascinated with the ocean and marine biology through National Geographic magazine articles and Discovery Channel documentaries. As an undergrad, he volunteered to help with research projects on acoustic communication in frogs. This experience hooked him on studying bioacoustics, a field that naturally combines his two great interests: music and nature. In 2011, Adam received his PhD in Zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he studied hearing and echolocation in marine mammals. He then spent the following year on a Fulbright Fellowship studying the acoustic sensory ecology of Atlantic Puffins in Iceland. Adam is currently a postdoctoral investigator at the University of Southern Denmark, where he continues to research seabird acoustics and studies the auditory dynamics of biosonar in toothed whales.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2024

For the past 45 years, the RSPB has been running one of the largest citizen science projects in the world, the Big Garden Birdwatch. Every January more than half a million people take to their gardens, parks and balconies to count the birds they see. This huge dataset has allowed the RSPB to create a comprehensive picture of how our local birds are faring, and to examine changes in both abundance and distribution over time.

This year’s Big Garden Birdwatch will take place from the 26th to 28th January and anyone can sign up to take part – all it takes is an hour of your time to record the birds you see in your area and send these results to the RSPB. They will then collate all of the data and publish the results in spring.

How to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

- Sign up on the RSPB website
- Find a good spot to watch the birds in your garden or a local park and choose an hour between between Friday 26th and Sunday 28th January.
- Have fun identifying the species visiting your garden during that hour and count the maximum number of each species you see at any one time. For example, if you see a group of three House Sparrows together and after that another one, the number to submit is three. This method means it is less likely you will count the same birds more than once and makes data analysis easier. Make a note of any other wildlife that you spot as well.
- Submit your results on the Big Garden Birdwatch website. Even if you don’t see anything, that’s still useful information. (If you can’t submit your results online, you can print off the form from the free guide and send it by post).
- Join in the conversation on RSPB social channels throughout the weekend to see what other nature lovers are spotting across the UK and upload your own pictures and comments using #BigGardenBirdWatch
- Look out for the results in April and take pride in having contributed data from your patch.

What did we learn in the 2023 Big Garden Birdwatch?

In 2023, over half a million people took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, submitting records of more than 9.1 million birds. The most frequently reported species was the House Sparrow which received 1.4 million sightings, however counts of this bird have notably decreased by 57% when compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979. The second and third spots were held by Blue Tits and Starlings respectively.

Last year’s results highlighted the vulnerability of some of our smaller garden birds and the environments they live in. Long-tailed Tit sightings increased by 39% in 2023, however they are very susceptible to harsh weather conditions and as a result of this, population numbers have fluctuated since the Big Garden Birdwatch began. Meanwhile, Greenfinches and Chaffinches continued to be affected by a disease known as Trichomonosis, which has led to a 34% decline in UK Chaffinch populations and 65% decline in Greenfinches over the last decade.
It is hoped that this year’s Birdwatch will help to give a better picture of how these population are faring a year on.

How can I encourage more birds and other wildlife to my garden?

Participating in the Big Garden Birdwatch is the perfect opportunity to observe how wildlife is using your garden and to give you some insights into how you could make your outdoor space even more attractive to wildlife.

Improving your garden for wildlife can be as simple as leaving a patch of long grass; providing native trees or plants that are good for pollinators such as lavender, buddleja and verbena; or leaving a woodpile for insects to shelter in. You can also supply nest boxes for birds, bat boxes for summer roosting bats, access panels and shelters for hedgehogs, shelter for frogs and toads, and of course bird feeders, which will bring a multitude of species to your garden.

Recommended books and equipment

Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe

With expanded text and additional colour illustrations, the third edition of the hugely successful Collins Bird Guide is a must for every birdwatcher. The combination of definitive text, up-to-date distribution maps and superb illustrations makes this book the ultimate field guide, essential for every birdwatcher and field trip.

RSPB Handbook of British Birds

This easy-to-use book is a complete guide to the UK’s most familiar birds and, having been revised for its fifth edition, the RSPB Handbook of British Birds now includes new artwork, additional rarities, extra comparison spreads and a fully updated taxonomic order, in addition to a detailed maps reflecting current UK distributions.

Europe’s Birds: An Identification Guide

Covering more than 900 species, and illustrated with over 4,700 photographs, this is the most comprehensive, authoritative and ambitious single-volume photographic guide to Europe’s birds ever produced. The images are stunning to look at, making this a beautiful book to enjoy, as well as an up-to-date and essential source of identification knowledge.

Park and Garden Birds

This newly updated fold-out guide covers the top 50 birds of gardens and parks, including ponds and rivers. Designed for speedy bird identification with living birds in the garden, the guide features beautiful colour paintings by Chris Shields. Accompanying text on the reverse side covers body size, food, key identification notes and conservation status.

Challenger Plastic Seed Feeder

This seed feeder is ideal for small spaces due to its size and is made from durable, long-lasting plastic. The feeder includes perching rings which have been designed to allow birds to feed in their natural facing forward position and is available in two different sizes.

NHBS Wooden Bird Nest Box

Installing a nest box in your garden is one of the easiest ways to support local bird populations, providing them with a warm, sheltered environment with protection from most types of predators. Our own range of wooden bird nest boxes have been custom designed and manufactured from substantial 2cm thick FSC-certified wood, are available with either a 25mm or 32mm entrance hole and can be expected to last for 5–10 years.

Discovery Plastic Window Seed Feeder

The Discovery Plastic Window Seed Feeder is ideal for those with small gardens or balconies and who are new to bird feeding. It has two feeding ports with ring perches to allow the birds to feed in a natural position and the high-suction pads securely fix the feeder to glass which offers a fantastic way to watch garden birds up close.

Hawke Optics Nature-Trek Binoculars

The Hawke Optics Nature-Trek Binoculars are great value and ideal for fieldwork. They have a shock-resistant polycarbonate body, making them robust yet lightweight, and are waterproof and fog-free. The inner-focus optical design and BAK 4 roof prism produces high resolution images and ensures no detail is lost when viewing at long or short distances, while they also have effortless focusing and impressive depth of field which makes these binoculars quick and easy to use.

Kite Ursus Binoculars

The Kite Ursus binoculars are an easy to use, entry-level pair of binoculars with all-round performance. They have been designed for everyday use and have a robust, fully waterproof housing, rubber touch points, and are lightweight and well balanced with a short hinge and a large ribbed focus wheel so changing focus is easy. As with other Kite binoculars, the Ursus also have a great field of view and, combined with their image quality, this makes them great for panning while watching fast moving subjects.

GPO PASSION 10×32 ED Binoculars

These binoculars combine a sleek design with high-quality features, including a Schmidt-Pechan prism, 10× magnification, ED multi-coated lenses and matched optics, which deliver exceptional clarity and colour transmission. They also offer a wide field of view, high edge-to-edge sharpness and a close minimum focus, which makes them unique among models in this price range, and come in five colours: green, brown, black, sand and orange.

UK Fungus Day 2023

What is UK Fungus Day?

UK Fungus Day takes place on Saturday 7th October and is organised by the British Mycological Society. This annual celebration of fungi is an open invitation to everyone in the UK to experience and appreciate the wonder of fungi and to find out more about these fascinating organisms. There really is something for everyone: as well as traditional fungal forays where you can join an experienced mycologist to find and identify fungi in the wild, there are also open days at UK university laboratories, special museum exhibits, talks, films, craft activities and quizzes.

Why are fungi important?

Often described as the 5th kingdom, fungi are neither plant nor animal, and our knowledge of their biology and ecology is increasing all the time. They are incredibly important to the functioning of almost all ecosystems on earth (and have even been found in space!).

One of their key roles is as a decomposer. Fungi convert organic matter from dead organisms into a form that other plants or animals can more easily utilise, making them a vital part of the food chain. They also form essential symbiotic relationships with plant roots, providing nutrients to the plant and protecting them from parasites and infection, while they themselves feed on the plant.

Although we usually think of fungi as the mushrooms that are visible above ground, they also create huge networks of strands, known as hyphae, which stretch out beneath the soil. These hyphae contribute to the structure of the soil, holding particles together and helping the soil to retain moisture where it would otherwise rapidly drain away. This underground network is considered to be so important that a project is underway to map the “circulatory system of the planet” in an attempt to protect it from damage and improve its ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide.

As well as these key ecosystem functions, we also value fungi for their role in our own diets. Whether that is by eating them directly, or utilising their ability to ferment foods such as bread or beer, they have been an important gastronomic ingredient for thousands of years. They also contribute to human health in other ways. In the 1920s penicillin was discovered, an antibiotic produced by the mould Penicillium which has since saved countless numbers of lives and changed the entire face of modern medicine.

Fungi may even have a role to play in remediating polluted environments. Current research is looking into whether they could be used to break down petroleum products, heavy metals and plastics, and even absorb radiation following nuclear disasters.

How do I get involved in UK Fungus Day?

To find out what events are on near you on UK Fungus Day, head over to the Fungus Day website where you can find a list of all the activities planned for 7th October. On their website you will also find information on how to enter this year’s photo competition, as well as quizzes, and a host of other activity ideas for you to celebrate UK Fungus Day in your own home.

European Botanical and Horticultural Libraries Group (EBHL) Annual Conference

From Tuesday June 20th to Friday June 23rd, NHBS attended the business meeting of the European Botanical and Horticultural Libraries Group, or EBHL for short. This annual conference brings together librarians from academic libraries and herbaria for several days of talks and behind-the-scenes tours. For NHBS, this is always a valuable occasion to meet and speak to some of our key customers in person, both from Europe and the USA. This year, the meeting took place in London and was co-organised by four institutes: The Natural History Museum, London; The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; The Linnean Society of London, and The Royal Horticultural Society. So, what happens at such a meeting?

A Wardian Case on display at Chelsea Physic Garden

This year’s theme was “plant humanities”, resulting in an eclectic mixture of talks from, not just librarians, but also historians and arts and humanities scholars. For example, medieval historian Isabel Davis talked about digitisation of collections and the drawbacks and advantages that come with dealing with scanned documents rather than the originals. Mark Nesbitt and Kiri Ross Jones both related the experience of Kew in developing an interdisciplinary research programme with external partners in fields outside of botany. A recurrent theme in several of these talks was how botanical gardens are dealing with their origin and history as colonial institutes, and the legacy of their collections that have been built with objects taken from other countries. Given today’s discussions and debates around decolonisation, this is, understandably, a topic that requires serious attention, and humanities scholars and historians can often bring new perspectives and ideas to the table. Palace of Palms author Kate Teltscher, for example, spoke about a new project she is working on that will reexamine the history of Kew, which might just result in another book.

The Royal Botanic Garden, Kew now has a permanent treetop walk in its garden offering stunning views across London.

This conference also saw a break-out session, chaired by Dr Anna Svensson from Uppsala University, on a topic of particular interest to archivists: the presence of pressed plants, or traces thereof, inserted in old books. She is studying these as part of a three-year research project to identify why people did this, how it relates to the development of early bound herbaria (books known as horti sicci, the plural of hortus siccus), and what conservation challenges they pose for archivists and librarians.

The Linnean Society has a rare collection of documents and books that belonged to Karl Linnaeus, including early editions of his works that he annotated while developing his system of biological nomenclature.

Alongside this busy programme of talks, during the afternoons the organisers had arranged behind-the-scenes tours around parts of the collections of all four institutes that are normally not accessible to the public. As such, on Tuesday I was able to marvel at Sir Hans Sloane’s collection of bound herbarium books that are held at the NHM in London. Not only did he put together some of these himself, later in life he bought or inherited collections of other people, resulting in over 200 large volumes with pressed plants from around the world. In the evening, I stood right next to a Wardian case during a tour of the Chelsea Physic Garden. Wednesday I admired some remarkable archival material at Kew (and enjoyed their treetop walk), while on Thursday I marvelled at the large collection of original manuscripts and books from Carl Linnaeus that are held in the basement room of the Linnean Society. This included a copy of an early edition of the Systema Naturae that has his handwritten annotations all over the margins. Friday the whole group took a coach to RHS Wisley, just outside of London, where we toured both the original research buildings and the brand-new library and herbarium of this remarkable horticultural institute.

The new library at RHS Wisley has been awarded several prizes for its architecture and offers views into the garden throughout the building.

We would like to thank the organisers of this year’s conference, in particular Isabelle Charmantier and Will Beharrell who headed it all up. NHBS is looking forward to next year’s meeting and welcomes opportunities to develop closer ties with some of the professional and amateur organisations that we count amongst our customers, whether through attendance or sponsorship. Do not hesitate to reach out to us.

30 Days Wild 2023

30 Days Wild is the UK’s biggest nature challange. Run by the Wildlife Trusts, this annual event is taking place between 1st – 30th June 2023. The event is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds and aims to connect people with nature and increase their appreciation of the natural world by asking them to do one wild thing a day for the entire month. A five year review of 30 Days Wild participants found that people felt happier and healthier from taking part, with the effects lasting for at least two months afterwards.

This event has continued to grow, with the majority of participants in 2021 starting that the pandemic made them value nature more. Over two million people have taken part over the last nine years. Last year alone, over 500,000 people took part in the challenge, with popular activities including wildlife-watching, planting wildflower seeds and listening to birdsong.

Key themes of 30 Days Wild

For the first time, each week of 30 Days Wild will have a different theme. These are:

Tune into the senses
Movement and play
Learning and discovery
Helping nature
Emotional connection to nature.

These themes will take you on a week-by-week adventure, helping to guide you through the challenge to reach the 30 day target.

How to get involved

Bug Box Kit – an easy-to-assemble insect hotel

There are a number of easy ways to get involved in 30 Days Wild. The ten most popular activities in 2020 were: listening to birdsong, exercising outdoors, eating or drinking outdoors, identifying wildflowers, planting wildflower seeds, going on a bug hunt, hugging or admiring a tree, making a wildlife home such as a bird box or bee hotel, going barefoot on the grass and sketching, drawing or painting nature. Other ways to get involved include reading a nature book, exploring a reserve, having a plastic or waste free day, watching a sunrise or sunset, switching to a more sustainable household product, going litter picking or taking a nature photo.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for activities during the month, why not check out some of our guides?

1) Bat Walk

If you’re interested in catching a glimpse of some bats in June, this guide includes the equipment you might need, the best times and places to go, and a general guide of what to do.

2) Hedgehog Watch

Hedgehogs are abundant in urban and suburban areas but are facing some serious threats to their populations. Now is a great time to look for hedgehogs, particularly if your garden is hedgehog friendly. This blog includes ways to improve the attractiveness of your garden to hedgehogs, tips for watching hedgehogs and some great books for further reading.

3) Owl Pellet Dissection

Owls are unable to digest certain parts of their prey, including teeth, bones, fur or feathers. These parts are regurgitated as a pellet, which can be very interesting to dissect. This guide provides information about where to find pellets, how to identify the species of owl the produced it, how to dissect a pellet and how to identify the contents.

4) How to use a quadrat

For those interested in exploring the plant life in their garden or local green space, especially right after No Mow May, this guide can help you. Quadrats are square frames which can be used to survey plants, to gain an estimate of total number of species, species richness, plant frequency and percentage cover.

5) The NHBS Guide to Snorkelling

While the ocean may still be very cold, snorkelling is a great way to experience many of the amazing species that inhabit our oceans. This guide includes advice on planning a trip, the equipment and method, and several species you might see along our coasts.

6) The NHBS Guide to Beachcombing

Beachcombing involves searching along the shoreline for interesting, valuable or even usable objects. It is a simple activity that you can do anytime you are at the beach and is a great way to learn more about your local coast. Its also a great way to help nature if you help to clear any plastic or fishing waste you come across.

7) Tree Planting

While late autumn and winter are the more ideal times for planting trees and hedgerows, you can still get involved at this time of the year. Check out our article where we provide tips for the first time tree-planter and point you towards heaps of helpful information to ensure that your trees and shrubs get off to the best start.

8) The NHBS Guide to Moth Trapping

Moth trapping is a wonderful way to discover the species of moths that visit your garden. This blog includes guidance on the best time for moth trapping, where to put your trap and anything else you might need to know.

9) The NHBS Guide to Rockpooling

Rockpooling is an educational and enjoyable wildlife activity that introduces you to a diverse and colourful world of creatures, usually hidden beneath the waves. This guide includes information on how to plan a trip, which equipment and methods you should use, common rock pool inhabitants and recommended reading.

10) The NHBS Guide to Pond Dipping

This is an excellent activity for children of all ages to introduce them to a wide range of plants, insects and amphibians, but its also perfect for adults who want to connect with nature. Our guide includes tips on what you’ll need, when and where to go, what to do and some great book and equipment suggestions.

11) Gardening for Wildlife

Your garden can be a wonderful oasis for wildlife if you provide the right habitats and food. In this two-part series, we look at how to attract wildlife to your garden by including plants for pollinators and providing food for birds and mammals, and how to create nesting or overwintering habitats.

12) The NHBS Guide to Whale and Dolphin Watching

Catching a glimpse of a whale or dolphin whilst visiting the coast is a uniquely memorable experience and a few hours spent whale and dolphin watching is fun for all age groups. Our blog will help you know when and where to watch cetaceans, how to get started and where to submit any sightings.

You can sign up for 30 Days Wild on the Wildlife Trusts website, where you’ll receive a free downloadable or postal pack full of activities, games, wildflower seeds and a calendar to help you plan out your activities. There are also packs for businesses, schools and care homes.

Let us know in the comments what you plan to do for 30 Days Wild!

No Mow May 2023

In Spring 2023 NHBS have, for the third year running, participated in Plantlife’s #NoMowMay initiative. We’ve requested that the grass areas around our premises are spared from mowing for the duration of the month of May, allowing a host of flowering plants to expand and in some cases complete their flowering cycle.

May is a vital time in the lives of many flowering plants, as they grow up in a rush after the winter months of dormancy in the soil to meet the pollinators upon whom they rely for regeneration. In our gardens and municipal green spaces, we tend to keep lawns tamed and green by regularly mowing and clearing out flowering plants in favour of a neat and uniformed low-cut grass. This has benefits for us in some of our recreation activities, but it wreaks havoc on our ecosystems. If pollinating invertebrate species can’t find the flowers they rely on, they disappear from an area, which also has a knock-on effect on the species that need the invertebrates as a food source, and the flowering plants that need them to spread their pollen and reproduce. Over time, this fragments habitats and drives down both biodiversity and abundance of species.

So, by committing to #NoMowMay, no matter what size of a green space you have, you offer real potential for reconnection between plants and their pollinators, which in turn supports a greater number of birds, bats and other mammals large and small, including us!

This year, after quite a wet spell of late winter weeks with cold winds blowing through, May arrived with a warm embrace of pleasant sunshine that supported a quick growth of many flowering plants. Early flowers here were the Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill (Geranium dissectum), Common Vetch (Vicia sativa) and Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), that spread rigorously through the grass along with a matt of Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens). As soon as mowing ceased Daisies (Bellis perennis) and Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) flowered throughout, alongside Dandelions (Taraxacum officinalis), Spotted Medick (Medicago arabica) and Herb-robert (Geranium robertianum). Many of the species present this year are listed in our species tally from last year (See our No Mow May 2022 blog here for a more comprehensive plant list).

This year, it’s been a real wonder to witness some more of the invertebrate life across our May meadow. In the still warm sunshine, we’ve seen a fair few bumble, honey and solitary bee species dashing by, some impressive wasps and flies (including scorpion flies) and, owing to our riverside location, we’ve started seeing Mayflies and Damselflies in the last week or so. There’s been some fleeting glimpses of spiders sunning themselves on the walls and walkways and a beautiful Nursery Web spider (Pisaura mirabilis) touring the vegetation.

Along the edges of the plot here where trees and shrubs tower up, surrounded by Cleavers (Galium aparine), Brambles and Docks, we’ve found a few small green weevils (that we’re struggling to ID beyond the subfamily of Entiminae) and Red-and-black Froghoppers (Cercopis vulnerate) – plus, a short distance away we were delighted to encounter an incredible Horned Treehopper (Centrotus cornutus)! There’s also been a regular meeting of Iris Weevils (Mononychus punctumalbum) on the blue marking flags we had put out to highlight points of particular interest.

We’ve had regular visits from Orange-tip butterflies (Anthocharis cardamines), Holly Blues’ (Cauchas rufimitrella), Peacock (Aglais io) and Green-veined White Butterflies (Pieris napi) throughout the month, and, when the afternoon sun has been particularly strong, a handful of beautiful Meadow Long-horn moths (Cauchas rufimitrella) have gathered in a shimmering dance around the blooming Cuckooflowers. We’ve also been treated to some short appearances of a Burnet Companion moth (Euclidia glyphica) as they quickly nipped between the vetch flowers.

We’re hoping that we can leave the plants a little longer into June again this year, as there’s still some remarkable species yet to flower, and it’s such a delight to see so many invertebrates thriving alongside the plants in this wayside patch. Suffice it to say if this place had kept to the same mowing schedule as some other local verges, there’d be little or no opportunity for the plants or their pollinators to proliferate or regenerate, and that’s without even considering the benefits to us humans of allowing and encouraging this dynamic ecosystem. Small contribution as it may be in the grand scheme of things.

We hope you’ve been inspired to join in with Plantlife’s #NoMowMay this year too, or perhaps through June, and next summer too! We sell a wide range of handy books for identifying wild plants and animals, and there’s a growing number of books that are helpful resources for gardening for wildlife!

International Day of Forests 2023

21st March marks the 12th annual International Day of Forests. On this day, the UN encourages countries around the world to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of forests, through events, activities and campaigns large and small.

The theme of this year’s International Day of Forests is ‘Forests and Health‘. This topic aims to bring attention to the myriad of ways in which forests are linked with human health – through provision of foods and medicines, by improving our physical and mental health, and by helping to keep global warming in check.

Key messages of International Day of Forests 2023

Forests are a vital source of food and nutrition
Nearly one billion people globally depend on harvesting wild food such as herbs, fruits, nuts, meat and insects for nutritious diets. In some remote tropical areas, the consumption of wild meat is estimated to cover between 60 – 80 percent of daily protein needs.

Forests are natural pharmacies
Around 50 000 plant species – many of which grow in forests – have medicinal value. Local communities use forest-derived medicines for a wide array of ailments and many common pharmaceutical medicines are derived from forest plants, including cancer-treating drugs from the Madagascar periwinkle and malaria medication quinine from cinchona trees.

Healthy forests protect us from diseases
Forests have traditionally served as a natural barrier to disease transmission between animals and humans, but as deforestation continues, the risk of diseases spilling over from animals to people is rising. More than 30 percent of new diseases reported since 1960 are attributed to land-use change, including deforestation.

Forests boost our mental and physical health
Spending time in forests increases positive emotions and decreases stress, blood pressure, depression, fatigue, anxiety and tension. Trees in cities also absorb pollutant gases from traffic and industry and filter fine particulates such as dust, dirt and smoke, which help shield urban populations from respiratory diseases.

Forests play a central role in combating the biggest health threat facing humanity: climate change
Healthy forests help keep global warming in check: forests contain 662 billion tonnes of carbon, which is more than half the global carbon stock in soils and vegetation. Forests and trees also help buffer exposure to heat and extreme weather events caused by climate change, which pose a major global health challenge. For example, trees properly placed around buildings cool the air and can cut air conditioning needs by up to 30 percent, also saving energy.

Forests are under threat and need our help
Ten million hectares – roughly the equivalent of 14 million football pitches – of forest were lost per year to deforestation between 2015 and 2020. Forest insects damage around 35 million hectares of forest annually. Fire affected approximately 98 million hectares of forest globally in 2015. Through forest-friendly policies and increased investment in forests and trees we can protect our planet and our health.

How to get involved

• Organise or join an existing event to celebrate and promote the role of forests in maintaining human health. Great ideas include forest walks, tree planting gatherings, forest-related art exhibitions and public talks or debates.

• Let the UN know about what you’ve been up to by emailing IDF@fao.org. If you send them your photos, they can also add them to this year’s gallery.

• Download the logo, banner or poster and share these to help get the word out about the 2023 International Day of Forests.

• Share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #IntlForestDay

Associated UN publications

Forests for human health and well-being: Strengthening the forest-health-nutrition nexus

This publication examines the many linkages of forests and human health and offers recommendations for creating an enabling environment in which people can benefit from them. Designed for practitioners and policy-makers in a range of fields.

The Big Garden Birdwatch: NHBS Staff Results 2023

We have reached the end of the 44th Big Garden Birdwatch, which took place between 27th and 29th January. Run by the RSPB, this is one of the largest citizen science surveys in the UK and encourages the public to observe and record the birds in their garden over a period of one hour. In 2022, more than 700,000 people took part recording over 11 million birds. This huge amount of data allows the RSPB to create a comprehensive picture of how our local birds are faring, and to examine changes in both abundance and distribution over time.

If you took part over the weekend, there’s still time to submit your results on the RSPB website. The final date to let them know what you saw is 19th February. Don’t forget, even if you didn’t see anything, it’s still useful information. (If you can’t submit your results online, you can print off the form from the free guide and send it by post).

Even though the Big Garden Birdwatch is over this year, there are still lots of important things you can do to make your garden attractive to birds and other wildlife. Private and public green spaces in the UK cover an area three times bigger than all of the RSPB nature reserves combined, so making these spaces wildlife-friendly is hugely important and significant. Remember to keep putting out fresh food and water for your garden birds, and always remember to keep your feeders, bird tables and bird baths free from disease by cleaning them weekly. See the RSPB website for some helpful information on preventing disease, and check out this great guide from the Wildlife Trusts on cleaning bird feeders and nest boxes.

As always, many of our staff got involved with the Big Garden Birdwatch this year. Scroll down to see what we found and to see some of our pictures. We’d also love to see what you’ve spotted if you took part – let us know in the comments below.

Results

Sabine saw:

Woodpigeon: 2
Robin: 2
Great Tit: 1
Chaffinch: 2
House Sparrow: 1
Magpie: 1
Common Pheasant (male): 1

Catherine saw:

Starlings: 6
Blackbird: 1

Elle saw:

Woodpigeon: 1
Robin: 1
Blackbird: 1

Oliver saw:

Woodpigeon: 2
Blackbird: 3
Dunnock: 1
Long-tailed tit: 1
Jackdaw: 1

Luanne saw:

House Sparrow: 5
Robin: 1
Blackbird: 2
Magpie: 2
Woodpigeon: 3

The RSPB

For more information on UK garden birds, the Big Garden Birdwatch and how you can help them, please visit www.rspb.org.uk. Here you will find a wealth of information to help you find and identify UK bird species.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2023

Long-tailed tit on peanut feeder. Image by Conall via Flickr.

For the past 44 years the RSPB has been running one of the largest citizen science projects in the world, the Big Garden Birdwatch. Each year in January, more than half a million people take to their gardens, parks and balconies to count the birds they see. This huge dataset has allowed the RSPB to create a comprehensive picture of how our local birds are faring, and to examine changes in both abundance and distribution over this time.

Anyone can sign up to take part, and you don’t need to be a member of the RSPB. All it takes is an hour of your time. This year’s Big Garden Birdwatch will take place from 27th to 29th January, with results expected to be published in April.

How to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

Sign up on the RSPB website and download the free guide and ID chart.
Find a good spot to watch the birds in your garden or a local park and choose an hour between between Saturday 27th and Monday 29th January.
Have fun identifying the species visiting your garden during that hour and count the maximum number of each species you see at any one time. For example, if you see a group of three house sparrows together and after that another one, the number to submit is three. This method means it is less likely you will count the same birds more than once and makes data analysis easier. Make a note of any other wildlife that you spot as well.
Submit your results on the Big Garden Birdwatch website. Even if you don’t see anything, that’s still useful information. (If you can’t submit your results online, you can print off the form from the free guide and send it by post).
Join in the conversation on RSPB social channels throughout the weekend to see what other nature lovers are spotting across the UK and upload your own pictures and comments using #BigGardenBirdWatch
Look out for the results in April and take pride in having contributed data from your patch.

What did we learn in the 2022 Big Garden Birdwatch?

In 2022, almost 700 thousand people took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, submitting records of more than 11 million birds. The most frequently reported species was the house sparrow which received 1.7 million sightings. The second and third spots were held by blue tits and starlings respectively.

Other notable changes include a huge increase in jay sightings, up 73% from 2021. This increase was potentially due to an increase in food availability as 2021 was a notoriously poor year for acorns. A small increase in greenfinch numbers also provided cause for hope. This species has declined by 62% since 1993 due to an outbreak of trichomonosis which is spread through contaminated food and water. It is hoped that this increase in numbers represents the first signs of a recovering population. Results from this year’s Birdwatch will help to give a better picture of how they are faring.

How can I encourage more birds and other wildlife to my garden?

Recommended books

Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe

Europe’s Birds: An Identification Guide

Britain’s Birds: An Identification Guide to the Birds of Great Britain and Ireland

A bestselling guide since it was first published, Britain’s Birds has quickly established itself as the go-to photographic identification guide to the birds of Great Britain and Ireland – the most comprehensive, up-to-date, practical and user-friendly book of its kind. Acclaimed by birdwatchers of all kinds, from the beginner to the most experienced.

Park and Garden Birds

RSPB Guide to Birdsong

Birdsong is one of the greatest and most accessible wildlife pleasures that people can experience, even in urban areas. This beautiful, full-colour book and narrated CD of brand new recordings will help people to learn about the sounds and calls of the commonest birds in Britain, and reveal when and why birds make these sounds.

Results

FEATURING

The Cry Wolf Project: Bioacoustics & Carnivores in Yellowstone National Park

Un Suono in Estinzione (A Sound in Extinction) – Adamello Glacier, Italian Alps

Acoustic Sensory Ecology of Diving Alcid Seabirds & Potential Noise Impacts

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PRESENTERS

Jeff Reed, PhD CEO | Grizzly Systems Montana, United States

Sergio Maggioni (NEUNAU) Lead Artist | Un Suono in Estinzione Adamello-Presanella Alps | Lombardy, Italy

Adam Smith, PhD Postdoctoral Investigator | Dept of Biology Marine Bioacoustics University of Southern Denmark | Syddanmark, Denmark

How to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

What did we learn in the 2023 Big Garden Birdwatch?

How can I encourage more birds and other wildlife to my garden?

Recommended books and equipment

What is UK Fungus Day?

Why are fungi important?

How do I get involved in UK Fungus Day?

Further reading

Key themes of 30 Days Wild

How to get involved

Recommended reading

Suggested reading

Key messages of International Day of Forests 2023

How to get involved

Associated UN publications

Further reading on forests

Results

The RSPB

How to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

What did we learn in the 2022 Big Garden Birdwatch?

How can I encourage more birds and other wildlife to my garden?

Recommended books

Jeff Reed, PhD
CEO | Grizzly Systems
Montana, United States

Sergio Maggioni (NEUNAU)
Lead Artist | Un Suono in Estinzione
Adamello-Presanella Alps | Lombardy, Italy

Adam Smith, PhD
Postdoctoral Investigator | Dept of Biology Marine Bioacoustics
University of Southern Denmark | Syddanmark, Denmark