Hen Harriers have had another successful breeding season in the Forest of Bowland, although breeding numbers were lower compared to the record-breaking season last year. RSPB staff and volunteers recorded 9 nesting attempts of 8 breeding females (including one replacement clutch) on the United Utilities Bowland Estate. 7 nests were successful and fledged a total of 32 young. Sonja Ludwig, RSPB Species and Habitats Officer…

This International Youth Day read about the inspiring journey of Jordan, a young person who joined us on a Prince’s Trust Get Started in Conservation Course in 2022. Jordan shares his story from his love of nature to working with the RSPB.

The “Get Started in Conservation” course is a six day course based at RSPB reserves. So far, the RSPB has hosted 30 participants in total since 2022, who were referred by The…

Alice Groom, RSPB Head of Sustainable Land Policy, England, makes the case for well-designed farm wildlife schemes and sufficient funding to properly support farmers ambitions to restore nature ... 

We are in a nature and climate emergency. The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. And as 70% of our land is farmed, farmers have a huge role to play in meeting the challenge of restoring nature. But…

RSPB Senior Policy Officer Verity Winn encourages RSPB supporters to respond to the current Defra Hedgerow Consultation ...

In a fragmented agricultural landscape, hedgerows provide essential habitat, food and connectivity for nature, and a vital carbon store with benefits for farm businesses and people alike. In the context of the nature and climate crises and stagnant agricultural emissions, planting and protecting…

Today we have a guest blog from our friends at Sustain that describes their new campaign to encourage local councils to use their planning powers to support nature-friendly farming to help our rivers ... 

Our waterways have been having a tough time of it lately. As the true extent of the sewage scandal makes itself known, our rivers continue to choke with pollutants from wastewater and urban run-off, whilst also experiencing…

Meriel Harrison, RSPB Senior Policy Officer, considers an important new report from the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee ...

During the long run up to last year’s COP15 global biodiversity summit, one front where the UK was genuinely showing international leadership was its championing of ’30 by 30’ – a target to effectively protect and manage 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. The UK Government…

Andrew Simcock is a keen cyclist and RSPB member, with an ambition to put Emily Williamson, the RSPB’s founder, on the map in her home city of Manchester.

In June, content creator and author Sam Bentley visited RSPB Middleton Lakes, as he went birdwatching for the first time. Sam shares his experience below, from squeezing pineappleweed to spotting herons and footballers in the wild, and explains why nature should be at the heart of decision making.

Morwenna Alldis, spokesperson for the RSPB, reminds the public that most baby birds found on the ground don’t need rescuing – it’s part of the natural fledging process. Morwenna outlines the few instances when baby birds may need ...

Europe’s largest nature conservation charity, the RSPB, has announced Michael Copleston as its new Director for England. Here he shares his passion for nature conservation, reflects on his 20 years at the charity, and shares his hopes for a world where nature is restored.

The Government’s energy National Policy Statements (NPS) set out its policy for the delivery of major energy infrastructure and provide the legal framework for planning decisions. This blog, written by Carl Bunnage (Head of Nature Policy -Engla...

Why the Government’s draft revised National Networks National Policy Statements (NNNPS) fails to address the climate and nature crises with urgency

Since 2015, the RSPB has been working with Girlguiding in regions across England to inspire more young people to deepen their love of nature and feel empowered to save it. This Great Big Green Week, Yvonne Hunt, our Youth Partnerships Officer, shares some of the highlights of our partnerships so far, and some ideas for how you can join the movement to save nature this week and every week!

Ever wondered what volunteering for RSPB England looks like? This Volunteers Week Maggie Swinfen, Volunteer Coordinator for the RSPB Planning Networks for Nature project (and self-proclaimed ‘career switcher’), shares her experiences and why she decided to get involved.

Last Friday RSPB and Landmark trust hosted an MP visit to Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel … here’s why …

In a recent blog we talked about better protection for Lundy’s seabirds. We wrote that despite the site being one of the most significant seabird colonies in the UK and supporting one of the country’s most endangered species, it is barely protected. The island itself has been designated as…

Ancient woodlands and trees are brilliant for biodiversity but it’s a real balancing act to plant the right tree in the right place.

The number of Nightjars at RSPB reserves across England and Wales has hit a record high following decades of conservation work to help turn around the fortunes of the threatened species.

RSPB Senior Policy Officer Alice Groom considers some serious issues around Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) payments ... 

The founding principle of the ELMS in England was always ‘public money for public goods’. Yet as the years have passed, and Defra has become increasingly panicky about the short-term political challenges of securing high uptake and getting money out the door that clear focus is being lost…

In a blog last month, we discussed essential amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to support nature’s recovery. In this blog by Pooja Kishinani (RSPB Campaigner, England) highlights how an amendment to address nutrient pollution through nature-based solutions can deliver multiple benefits for nature and people.

What is Nutrient Neutrality and why is it important?  

Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem…

Last month we published a blog outlining essential amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to ensure that the planning system supports nature’s recovery. This blog highlights the importance of an amendment on protected landscapes legislation in the Bill, which will be key for the UK to meet its 30x30 target.  

At the COP15 summit in December, the UK Government agreed to the Global Biodiversity Framework…

In a previous blog, we highlighted amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that will be essential to drive nature’s recovery in the planning system. Today’s blog by Pooja Kishinani (Campaigner-England) delves deeper into amendments to the Environmental Outcomes Reports regime to ensure that the new environmental assessments system strengthens environmental standards in the UK.  

Environmental assessments…

Largest ever satellite-tracking study shows illegal killing major cause of death in Hen Harriers 

As new research finds that illegal killing accounts for up to 75% of annual mortality in some age classes of Hen Harriers, and that mortality due to illegal killing was higher in areas managed for Red Grouse shooting, the urgent need for legislative reform and licensing of gamebird management has never been more stark. 

The…

RSPB Policy Officer Nik Perepelov describes the RSPB's ongoing work with water companies in England

RSPB exists to give a voice for nature and to halt the alarming decline in England’s habitats and species. Though we are a major landowner in our own right, owning or managing some 0.6% the UK’s land for wildlife and plants (and people who want to enjoy them), we know that we can’t achieve this alone. Reversing biodiversity…

The chorus of voices for nature is shrinking. How can statutory bodies and local authorities make good decisions for nature without capacity and expertise? Meriel Harrison, RSPB Senior Policy Officer explains ...

In mid-April and without fanfare, Government published its latest annual statistics on the proportion of local nature conservation sites that are in positive management for nature. The result – just 43% - shows…

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is key to ensure that a robust planning system supports and drives nature’s recovery rather than undermining it. However, in its current form, the Bill represents a missed opportunity to make a greater contribution to delivering the Environment Act targets and tackling the nature and climate emergency.  

As the Bill returns to the House of the Lords this week, we hope that the…