This week saw an unwelcome twist in the tale of the controversial neonicotinoid pesticides.

In December 2013, the EU banned neonicotinoids for use on crops that attract pollinators. This was in response to research suggesting that bees and other beneficial insects can be harmed by use of these chemicals. Since then, the evidence for risks to bees has got ever stronger, while research is uncovering a slew of other unforeseen…

Much of the biodiversity monitoring that takes place at Hope Farm is focused on birds, as you would expect. Fifteen years of breeding and wintering bird surveys has shown just how well birds have recovered during RSPB ownership and management of this farm. But as we all know birds are just one part of the ecosystem here.

We also monitor butterflies and bumblebees regularly during the spring and summer, and moths every…

Most folk involved in arable farming will either have visited or know of Cereals, one of Europe’s premier agricultural shows. This year the show was held on 10-11^th June at Boothby Graffoe, and the RSPB hosted a stand along with approximately 1000 other exhibitors.

Picture 1: RSPB Stand at Cereals 2015. (Anna Broszkiewicz). 

With so much to grab visitors attention, we had to stand out, and our star attraction…