What do you most value about England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and do you think they should be richer in wildlife than the rest of the countryside?

These were just two of the questions in a new independent survey commissioned by the RSPB. The results are presented in our report published today called “Natural Parks?” (see the link below).

The results show that…

What better way to spend time than with Mother Nature this Mother’s Day? RSPB England shares the top ten signs of spring you can spot this March.

Wild Fell is a new book, published by Doubleday, from Lee Schofield, who works for the RSPB at Haweswater in the Lake District. Informed by the local land, its history, and the people who have shaped and continue to shape it, the book documents how Lee and his team have worked alongside landowner United Utilities at Haweswater to make the land work better for nature, water, the climate and for people. The RSPB's Nick…

Wetlands are amazing places, home to an array of wildlife. Discover how we’re working with partners to restore or create more of this precious habitat.

The government is asking for everyone’s views on changes to England’s protected landscapes – our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). RSPB Site Policy Officer David Hampson takes you through the survey … 

Wildlife has been vanishing from our protected landscapes, like it has across England. There are now 40 million fewer birds in our skies compared to the 1960s.

This…

Springwatch presenter, Ajay Tegala, tells us about the crane's remarkable recovery and the species' future in the Fens.

The second part of our handy blog to help you identify and help threatened bird species at home

RSPB England Senior Policy Officer, Carl Bunnage, reflects on what has gone wrong with England’s planning system, why it is contributing to nature’s decline, and whether there is a better way ... 

We live on a small and congested island, with lots of competition for how we use land. Is it to be used for growing our food, building our homes on, providing places where we can relax and play, or for the roads and…

Bitterns are instantly recognisable to many, and always a joy to hear. Discover more about this fascinating bird, and our work to restore and create new wetland habitats.

We often tend to think of threatened birds as living out in the wider countryside, like curlew, hen harrier and lapwing. Yet many of the birds which can be seen in our parks and gardens are struggling to survive and thrive too. You may have even counted some of these species on your recent Big Garden Birdwatch!  The latest Birds of Conservation Concern 5 report, which was released in December 2021, shows that 1 in 3 s…

RSPB England Senior Policy Officer Jess Chappell explains why the absence of nature from UK Government’s “levelling up” missions is cause for concern

This week UK Government finally set out their proposals for “levelling up” - a term that we first heard from the Conservative Party ahead of the 2019 general election. But what exactly does, and should, this mean for the natural world?

We had…

RSPB’s Morwenna Alldis, encourages you to show yourself some love and care this Valentine’s Day by reconnecting with your local wildlife and greenspaces. Enjoy a walk at your nearest RSPB nature reserve, discover your local birdsong, have...

RSPB Policy Officer David Hampson explains why we all need to speak up for nature in a new consultation on the future of England’s National Parks and AONBs

Public demand for nature-rich landscapes

The results of the Peak District National Park’s recent survey show the huge public demand for restoring wildlife to England’s protected landscapes – our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs…

RSPB Senior Policy Officer Olly Watts calls for RSPB supporters to respond to to Westminster Government's consultation of horticultural peat ... 

An end to peat use in gardening is finally in our grasp, with a Government consultation on a legal ban for England and Wales now open. 

The RSPB and our NGO colleagues have worked towards this since the launch of the Peatlands Campaign Coalition (PCC) in 1990 – yes, that’s…

From just 30 minutes a month, find out how you can volunteer for the RSPB in your local area and make a difference for nature

Ahead of the Big Garden Birdwatch this 28-30 January, find out which bird you’d couple up with

A firm garden favourite and a regular in the Big Garden Birdwatch top 10, would you be able to recognise these lovely little fluff balls? RSPB England’s Vicky Browne shows you how and where to spot them. 

Long-tailed tits are a great way to start identifying garden birds – the clue really is in the name! With tails longer than their bodies, you’ll often spot one of them in profile before a small flock comes…

Would you know a nuthatch if you spotted one? RSPB England’s Becca Smith delves into the identifiable features and behaviours of this distinctive bird.  

Nuthatches are the awesome “bandit” looking feathered friends that are often found scurrying to and fro in woodlands storing their food. The only bird to move upside down when climbing trees, it is their distinctive behaviours that have earnt them their name. Once…

If you’ve a bird feeder in your garden, coal tits might well be a common sight. But you’ll need to stay alert to get a good look – these active birds like to keep on the move. RSPB England’s Rich Morris looks at the key features and behaviours of this little aerial acrobat.

Point a coal tit in the direction of a conifer wood and you won’t see it for dust. The commercial planting of conifer forests…

With flashes of glorious red, yellow and black, the goldfinch is one of the most recognisable garden birds. Coming in at number 8 in 2021’s Big Garden Birdwatch, you’ll often spot them in small flocks called a ‘charm’. RSPB England’s Vicky Browne explains how to identify them and make your garden a goldfinch friendly zone. 

With red faces, black caps and yellow flashes on black wings, bold and…

Would you know a song thrush if one landed near you? RSPB England’s Beth Markey delves into the identifiable features and behaviours of this beautiful bird.  

Song thrushes are well-loved, snail-eating, melody-bringing members of the garden community. Once numerous across the UK countryside, their population has significantly fallen in the last 50 years and they often rely heavily on gardens and green spaces for nesting…

Icy vistas herald the start of the New Year. The holidays are over, the days are short and cold, and by some accounts January is the worst month of the year for wildlife spotting. But that couldn’t be further from the truth…

Attracting birds to your garden and outdoor space

Across the UK in January 2021, a million people took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch to count the number of birds in their local area…

RSPB volunteer Hilary Brooker-Carey looks back on 30 years helping to protect the seabirds of RSPB Coquet Island.

This year, RSPB England has chosen the Turtle Dove as our ‘Bird of the Year,’ thanks to the huge efforts that have gone into protecting these iconic birds in England and across the globe in 2021. RSPB England’s Sara Humphrey explains why they are so special… 

For many, Christmas is a time for carols and decorations, cards and wrapping paper but have you ever looked closely at the birds that feature in these 

…

Simon Marsh, Head of Nature Protection explains the options available to solving Portsmouth City Council’s housing situation which don’t involve concreting over its natural assets.

A recent proposal to build 3,500 homes and a marine hub in Portsmouth Harbour dramatically brings to life an age-old question: how to plan for people’s housing needs and protect the natural environment at the same time. In this…