Category: Events

To help everyone through lockdown, we ran a series of much-enjoyed virtual talks at and after the Annual Conference.

With spring and the easing of lockdown, we have paused these events. Keep an eye on this website though, as we will have more, including an exciting one in July.

Q and A: Honey-buzzard Talk

Posted on | By Chris Brown

This was another well-attended talk with lots of questions. A few questions were missed due to lack of time or answered incompletely and these are addressed below. Please see also question 14, with a corrected answer compared to what was stated in the talk.

 

Question Answer(s)
1 Do honey buzzards eat bees as well as wasps? Yes, they do rob bee nests, including bumblebee nests in the UK.
2 Do they have any predators? Yes, Goshawks are known to kill young and adults (as mentioned in the talk).
3 During their time in Africa, do we know what they eat? I’m originally from South Africa and I seem to recall seeing a Honey Buzzard eating flying ants … could be wrong. The diet is similar to that in the breeding grounds, e.g. wasp and bee larvae, but also some amphibians & reptiles and other small vertebrates and invertebrates. Yes, they do catch insects in flight and take termites in Africa.
4 If a nest has failed early in the season, will they attempt a second brood? This is rare, but has been recorded several times, with the pair nesting at a new site.
5 How soon after fledging do the young birds return to Africa? It varies, but they may leave the natal area soon after fledging and many UK birds arrive in Africa between mid-September and mid-October. In once instance the journey from Scotland to Ghana took four weeks.
6 The pictures are amazing. Are they taken from specific honey buzzard view points/ hot spots? Or do you find a nest and then find a vantage point? You start by finding a good vantage point over suitable habitat.
7 In terms of why their population density isn’t higher, do you think it’s related to habitat quality, and perhaps lack of wasps nests / prey? Have nest sites tended to occur in the highest quality habitats, and would they tend to avoid managed forestry sites, for example? We don’t know the answer to that. They do breed in commercial forestry planatations.
8 Do we know how they find the wasps nests? They track wasps back to nests, either from perches or whilst flying around.
9 Can you please go over again how to tell females apart from normal buzzards? I missed that bit! As for male Honey-buzzards: soaring on level wings is the best feature, but the fuller wings (especially the outer hand), smaller but protruding head and longer tail are important as is the pattern of barring on the wings and tail.
10 Do young birds fly to Africa with their parents? No, they fly separately and usually rather later.
11 Do they eat honey from a bee hive or just the larvae They take larvae and pupae, not honey.
12 Hi, I’ve seen a honey buzzard near where I live. Is it likely I would see it in the same place every year? Yes, quite likely, unless you chanced upon a migrant bird.
13 What do you think is the reason for the huge descrepancy in numbers seen on migration between Spring and Autumn? Birds may take a slightly different, or broader, migration route in spring, e.g. across the Caucasus and across Sinai.
14 What is the incubation and fledgling periods for the species? 30-35 days per egg, with up to 37 days for a clutch of two eggs (two eggs is the norm). Fledging takes about 40-44 days.
15 Do the adults do aerial prey exchange like hobbies? No, I’ve not heard of or seen that.

 

Q and A: Henfield Talk

Posted on | By Chris Brown

Just one unanswered question from Mike Russell’s talk on Henfield and its birds (now on our YouTube channel).

 

Question Answer(s)
1 Has the Henfield Bird Group been able to bring about any habitat improvements in the area or influence any local landowners to manage their land for nature? Henfield Birdwatch hasn’t liaised directly with landowners other than through Henfield Parish Council, where we talked to them about the three commons they manage and the data we provide to help them do this. We also contributed to a consultation regarding introducing grazing to Henfield Common. We don’t directly advise the landowner at Perching Sands Farm but he’s always interested in the survey resuts that we provide and he does follow a number of management practices to improve conditions for birds. However, it is something we hope to do more of in the future.

 

Virtual Talks: Swift Q & A and other updates

Posted on | By Chris Brown

David Campbell’s talk was much enjoyed by well over 300 people and led to so many thoughtful questions that a large number could not be answered in the time available, and are dealt with below.

Please also note that not all the talks will remain permanently on the SOS YouTube channel as guest speakers may update their talks and prefer for older versions to be taken down.

 

Question Answer(s)
1 We know a nest hole has been blocked up over the winter. Is there anything we can do as the swifts will be back in May and want to access their active nest The situation and type of nest hole in this question is unclear from the question, but doing everything you safely can to clear access for the birds before they arrive will give them the best chance of successfully nesting this year
2 Why do swifts appear to flick alternate wings? This is an illusion usually produced when a Swift is performing aerial manoeurves requiring the wings to beat with unequal force. This, together with the general speed with which Swifts beat their wings, causes the eye to only perceive one wing’s action – but they never beat alternately.
3 Do swifts need to drink, or do they obtain sufficient moisture from their food? Yes, they do need to drink. You will often see them scooping water from lakes and accessible rivers.
4 Where are the main Swift colonies in Kent & sussex ? Brighton and Chichester have some of the biggest numbers of Swifts in Sussex. I’m less certain about Kent but it seems Bromley and Canterbury are examples of towns with good numbers of Swifts.
5 Why can’t we pass a law that every house built has to have a nest brick?! This would be ideal. However, the structure of the planning system means it’s something we currently need to work with on the level of local authorities.
6 If you take baseline further back is there not an even greater decline ? What about declines in insects?

New development opposite me is supposed to be having swift bricks installed. How successful are they?

 Shifting baseline syndrome is a genuine issue. The point in time to compare populations against is a subject for endless discussion. For Swifts, should we measure from when they were a part of life in just about every settlement? Or when they nested in trees and cliffs? We have to work with the data we have, which mostly spans the period of declining availability of man-made nest sites. Swift bricks can be very effective. The best chance of success is within or near an existing colony, with the aid of electronic Swift call playback.
7 Do you think Swift bricks/ integrated boxes are an effective way to help swifts? Absolutely. They are the most durable, and aesthetic, solution we can offer Swifts.
8 Do Swifts not appear in Italy or Greece? They do, and both countries also have nesting Alpine Swifts and Pallid Swifts
9 Any problems with putting up a box near boxes for house Martins/ swallows? There shouldn’t be a problem. These species have such different nesting behaviour and do not compete directly for their insect food supply, which can be found across a wide area.
10 How many swift conservation groups are there in sussex? There are groups in Brighton, Chichester, Hastings, Henfield, Horsham, Lewes, Steyning, Winchelsea and now Worthing
11 Greening Steyning have a small swift group. If we want to get our community out listening for the screaming and finding out where they are looking , would we best to focus on the end of June? The end of June would be a good time. Any time in June or July would work and remember evenings are best. Screaming Swifts aren’t proof of breeding but will be your first lead to an area where they might well be nesting. It would be good to set up a line of communication between the group you mention and the SOS, could you drop us an email at swifts@sos.org.uk?
12 Is it easy to retro fit a swift brick? No, but it is possible. See here for advice
13 Can we make additions to buildings to make potential swift nest sites? E.g. in barns/outbuildings/eaves? Are these preferable to swifts than next boxes? If you have the know-how, this kind of work could be a viable alternative but you’d really have to get it right. However, Swift bricks and boxes are known to be successful and will be easier to install.
14 Are there any colonies in Worthing? Yes, there is a colony around where I live in West Worthing and there are a number of other areas in the town with breeding Swifts. We have just started a local Swift group: look up Worthing and Adur Swifts on Facebook.
15 How do you limit sparrows from getting into swift boxes before the swifts arrive You can block the entrance if you like but please be absolutely confident that nothing is nesting in there if you do, and remember to unblock it before Swifts arrive back. House Sparrows need nest sites too, so consider offering them their own boxes and remember a determined Swift will oust nesting House Sparrows.
16 Where is the best place to put a nesting box? On a building at least 4.5 metres high with a clear flight path ahead of it and out of the strong sun.
17 David, I live on a new development, during the final construction phase the developers wanted to install swift nest boxes. The residents were opposed owing to the perceived threat of ‘guano’ down their walls. Have you any thoughts and assurances as to how we may counteract that ? You could show them footage or images of Swift colonies or point out that Swifts live in many settlements but give no evidence of their presence besides their screaming parties in the evenings. If you know a local Swift colony, perhaps you could show them the birds? Many people don’t even realise they have Swifts nesting in their building. Hopefully they’ll take my and many other enthusiasts’ word for it, too.
18 I’ve just contacted a green counsellor in burgess hill to ask she pushes for swift’s to be considered with all the Burgess Hill town development plans and new builds – she will push for discussion I hope! Is there anyone specific she can contact if there is a need….? Great! She’s welcome to drop me an email at swifts@sos.org.uk to discuss how to move forward.
19 How high up should swift boxes be? At least 4.5 metres off the ground.
20 The survey forms that you mentioned – where is the data submitted? If this different to recording on birdtrack or swift mapper? The forms are designed for use by local Swift groups to collect detailed local information that can inform their work; the forms may be helpful to then transcribe the key information from the surveys (dates, numbers, location, breeding evidence) into BirdTrack, but you don’t need to do it that way if it doesn’t work for you.
21 Thank you for arranging this evening’s talk. Re the 53% decline in Swifts in the UK, are some of the swifts which previously came to the UK, now spending the summer further south on the Continent? You’re welcome. It’s unlikely that the birds have moved to another part of Europe. Unfortunately, the decline will be an actual fall in numbers due to poor breeding success and perhaps increased mortality.
22 Playing swift calls is commonly recommended to encourage swifts to take up a nest box. However, I have read that playing calls is replicating the natural process whereby swifts will call from an occupied nest to ward off others from entering and potentially starting a conflict. Could playing these calls actually discourage swifts from looking into a box? Playing Swift calls is important to draw birds’ attention to a potential nest site. When prospecting birds arrive in an area, they are using the auditory signal of calling birds to home in on colonies and investigate whether it might be worth nesting there in the future. They may ‘bang’ against boxes or attempt to enter them to gauge occupancy. Once you’ve got the attention of a Swift or a pair of Swifts, you’re correct that it’s best to then switch off the recordings so that they can consider the site theirs.
23 How big is a colony? Colonies may comprise just two or three pairs or in some cases several dozen, though these days such large colonies are scarce and tend to be less dense.
24 After at least 40 years, we did not have swifts nesting successfully last year. They returned for about 2 weeks but the nest failed. How likely are they to return this year? We miss them. It’s entirely possible they’ll give it another go this year, or that another pair will take on the site. If they don’t arrive on time, after a ‘grace period’, it might be worth playing Swift calls near the nest site to attract interest from other Swifts
25 Is it only really likely to be worthwhile to put up a swift box if they are already in the area, and when is best to erect them? Your chances of success are far higher if there are already Swifts in the area but there is no harm in putting boxes up if there aren’t currently any Swifts near you. There’s always a chance they could be taken up by Swifts at some point. Boxes can be erected at any time but if you’re thinking about it now, try to get them up before May so that Swifts have a full season to find the opportunity.
26 Do swifts ever nest in rural areas? Yes, you will often find Swift colonies in small villages and hamlets in rural areas.
27 Will having ponds in our gardens help increase the number of air born insects? There are countless insect species which will emerge from even small water bodies, so building a pond in your garden is a fantastic way to boost insect biomass.
28 Can swift nest sites be protected from a developer modernising houses? Swift nests, as in all wild birds, are protected by law when in use. If you are aware of plans to work on a building when Swifts are nesting, and it might affect the birds, please do get in touch with the landowner and/or contractor. If you see a nest in imminent threat and workers ignore your advice, you can contact the police. Unfortunately, nest sites are not protected by law when a breeding attempt is not underway.
29 Although birds of colonies, are there any territorial issues with nest boxes being side by side? Entrances shouldn’t be cheek-by-jowl if it can be avoided, as sometimes Swifts do get confused about which entrance is there nest, which can lead to fights inside boxes. Space out your boxes as much as you have the room for, but as colonial birds they can cope with sharing, say, a normal-sized house with three or four other pairs.
30 What is the evidence like for painting the insides of boxes black? Would a chalk paint be best if on the inside of the box? There is evidence that painting the interior of Swift boxes black boosts success. Chalk paint might shed onto the birds or the nesting material. I’m no painter or handyman but would advise using a non-toxic matt emulsion.
31 What direction should a nest box face? Avoid putting boxes on walls which face southeast, south or southwest, unless they can be well-shaded from the heat of the sun, and only then if there is no other option. Other directions are fine.
32 south facing boxes why no? I have a number up and swift are using them. There is a danger that young will overheat if boxes are facing the worst heat of the day. Some materials may reflect heat better and some situations will give boxes better shade but the general advice is to avoid fitting boxes on south-facing walls.
33 I was keen to try and get some swift boxes up this year in and around my local village – but it sounds as if I’d be better off doing a survey this year first, to see if/where we have a population and build on this next year. Is that about right? Thanks If you have the time and means to install the boxes this year, please do. And if you do, you can always record whether the new boxes are being used or visited and then work out how this might affect your interpretation of your survey results. The most important thing, though, is to provide Swifts with new nesting opportunities as quickly and effectively as possible.
34 How do you ring a swift? Young are either ringed in the nest (with great care to avoid disturbance) or full-grown birds are caught on the wing by ‘flicking’ a mistnet: the net is held at each end and pushed upwards into the path of flying Swifts, while a third person carefully extracts the birds from the net
35 How is the population of swifts doing in Lewes 64 active nests were recorded in Lewes in 2020. Comparing six Swift colonies in Lewes against numbers in 2000, numbers were down by 52% in those 20 years. However, Lewes Swift Supporters is doing excellent work to understand and boost the local population.
36 If I have a swift box, is it OK to also put up boxes for martins/swallows? There won’t be a problem. These species have such different nesting habits and do not compete directly for their food supply, which can be found across a wide area.

 

Q and A: Wild New Forest Talk

Posted on | By Chris Brown

On Wednesday 17th February Marcus Ward, chair of Hampshire Ornithological Society’s Scientific Committee and co-founder of Wild New Forest, gave us a fascinating insight into some of the birds of this beautiful area. If you missed it you can still watch it on our YouTube Channel.

Mya Bambrick ran the Q and A session at the end and managed to get through most of the questions but below are Marcus’ answers to the few that we didn’t have time for.

 

Question Answer(s)
1 Where does the hawfinch get his name from? No haws evident in his diet ! The scientific name for Hawfinch is Coccothraustes coccothraustes, which is derived from the Greek for kernel which is apt. As well as being the fruit of the Hawthorn, Haw is the old english for hedge so it could be the name is derived from Hedge Finch. However, Hawfinches do take the seeds from haws, as observed in Sussex this winter (when the locally preferred food, hornbeam, was not available due to crop failure).
2 Your map showed that Hawfinch IP was fitted with his tag some distance from his nest site. He didnt return there. Did you lure him to tag him? If so how? Yes, we lured the Hawfinch using bait, in this case black sunflower seed.
3 Are you in touch with Stuart Edmunds, Shropshire Wildlife Trust who is studying Pine Marten in Shropshire? No we haven’t, though we will be reaching out to all Pine Martin fieldworkers shortly to discuss techniques and methods
4 Have your read Rebirding, and do you agree that we should aspire for wryneck to return to the new forest? I must admit I haven’t read rebirding but I did meet with the author in the New Forest when he was doing research for the book. It would be fantastic to get Wryneck back as a breeding bird in the New Forest but it wouldn’t be a priority species for me for re-introduction.
5 Regarding recreational activities, would it be worth and possible to close some parts of the forest for public to help nesting? Yes, this does happen to an extent with the closure of carparks in certain areas to manage visitors. This makes some of the more sensitive areas difficult to access for casual visitors, however more can definitely by done and there is a lot of dialogue at the moment.

 

Q and A: Autumn Migration Talk

Posted on | By Chris Brown

On Wednesday 10th February, Matt Eade gave a very interesting talk on Autumn Bird Migration in Sussex. If you missed it you can still watch it on our YouTube Channel.

We ran out of time for Matt to answer all the questions that were submitted but he has subsequently provided answers for them and they’re listed below.

 

Question Answer(s)
1 Could you explain a little about migration in general? Autumn migration is the movement of birds, in this case, from their breeding grounds in the UK or Northern Europe, to their wintering grounds, which are generally in sub-Saharan Africa.
2 How long have you been birdwatching Matt? I’ve been birdwatching since the age of 8; I still remember my first visit to Rye Harbour and seeing my view spring-plumaged Yellow Wagtails!
3 Many thanks Matt – really interesting. Surprised just how early Autumn migration starts – is it getting earlier? I’ve not noticed a drastic change in my birding years; the first week of July is the norm, and more obvious to see this when living near water as this is where the early-migrating waders would turn up.
4 When you get a fall of waders after bad weather, what direction does the weather normally come from. The direction of weather rarely plays a part, as long as there is weather, the birds will drop as long as they are moving in the first place. These waders fly at extreme heights so we need the weather in order to see them.
5 Extraordinary photos. Do you see use of the dune at Climping – you mention the gap – I wonder what the particular draw is? I would believe the River Arun plays a part in attracting migrants to Climping Gap. Birds migrating at night use landmarks, such as rivers, to guide their way to the coastline.
6 What is best time of day for seeing most species on autumn migration? Presumably very early morning? The first few hours of the day are ideal for viewing warblers and other passerines. Generally, early morning is best, but early evening when birds become active again as they feed-up before their flight at night, can be a good time too.
7 Sorry please can you advise again after the meeting Matt’s camera that he uses? I use a Canon 7d Mark ii with a 100-400mm lens
8 Wonderful talk, thanks Matt. Can you recommend any further reading on Autumn migration? Not sure there are ones that are specific to autumn, but there are lots of good general ones that you can find by searching online, such as Bird Migration by Ian Newton, in the New Naturalist series.
9 Are there any places that you think could be great for autumn migration in East Sussex, but just aren’t that well monitored at the moment? You mentioned Tide Mills for example… Yes, Tide Mills can be good but lacks the tree element. Crowlink is underwatched and always looks superb! Other sites further east may include sections of Hastings CP.
10 What would your dream find in the autumn apart from RF Bluetail? A dream find would be… White’s Thrush!
11 When do Curlews migrate? Curlews tend to arrive from their breeding grounds in late August. Cuckmere Haven is a great place to see them after their migration.
12 What do you think is likely to be your next new autumn patch tick?! Could be something as simple as a Grey Partridge, or I hope, to claw back Red-breasted Flycatcher and Radde’s Warbler.
13 A fascinating talk, thank you Matt. You have an amazing knowledge of birds. Thank you for sharing with us.

One question, if a lone migratory bird gets blown off course will it try to rejoin the others or just head back in due course?

 Thank you. A lone migratory bird will rarely find its way back to others of its kind and it’s a mystery as to whether they make it back to where they have come from, or where they wish to end up. Reverse migration is a ‘thing’, but many rare migrants that end up on our shores, sadly keep tracking west and presumably into the Atlantic.
14 Do you have thoughts about intertidal and sea level rise you could convey from such long experience? Sadly, it’s something I’ve yet to notice on the patch. Cuckmere Haven has been interrupted massively by human activity, therefore this has been difficult to ascertain.
15 What’s Matt’s blog? seafordbirding.blogspot.com

 

SOS Virtual Talks

Posted on | By Chris Brown

SOS Virtual Talks

This year’s SOS Conference took place via Zoom on the weekend of 30th/31st January. If you missed it, it’s not too late – all four talks are available on our YouTube channel here.

We’re also pleased to offer further illustrated online talks.

These will:

  • Comprise a 30 – 40 minute talk from the guest speaker, followed by a question and answer session.
  • Be free to attend by all, including both SOS members and non-members.
  • Be hosted on Zoom and bookings managed through Eventbrite, with joining instructions sent to those that have booked prior to the event.

The events will normally be on Wednesdays at 7pm, starting on 10th February. Click here to learn more about the talks and then register by clicking on the talks individually. More may be added so keep an eye on that Eventbrite link. If there are topics, whether for beginners or more advanced birdwatchers, on which you would like us to offer talks, or if you are willing to give a talk, do please let us know at recorder@sos.org.uk. If you want to contact us about anything else to do with these talks, please use the same email address.

Please note that after booking on to the event:

  • You will need to download the Zoom software before we start. This is free and you can do so here: https://zoom.us/
  • You can sign into the Zoom test meeting any time before to test if everything is working for you here: https://zoom.us/test

And if you can’t wait, catch up now on the talk on Sussex’s Hawfinches and Goshawks, given by Mark Mallalieu to the London Natural History Society last November. Click here.

 

SOS Online Conference January 2021

Posted on | By Chris Brown

February Update

The conference took place over the weekend of January 30th/31st and was a great success, very well attended and received much praise.

On Saturday evening Sam Franks from the BTO gave a very informative and eye-opening account of the crisis which is the rapid decline in Curlew numbers in the UK. This was followed by a fascinating illustrated presentation by Simon and Niki from Inglorious Bustards about the spectacular annual migration which takes place over the Straits of Gibraltar.

SOS council member Mya Bambrick kicked off Sunday’s proceedings with an interesting session about the Cameron Bespolka Trust and the evening concluded with Nadia Shaikh from the RSPB talking about the challenges that are faced by people from minority ethnic groups in the world of conservation.

If you missed any or all of these talks, don’t worry – they were recorded and can be seen here.

≈≈≈≈

This year the SOS Annual Conference moves on-line with events taking place on the evenings of 30th and 31st January 2021. We are pleased to welcome guests who will deliver talks on the themes of Bird Migration on the 30th and Inclusivity in the World of Birding on the 31st.

We have five excellent speakers lined up for you over two nights.

The first evening of the conference will focus on the wonders of migration. Samantha Franks from the BTO will present a talk on the declining fortunes of the UK’s Curlews and the work that is being undertaken to conserve them. Simon and Niki from Inglorious Bustards will share the spectacle of the migration at the Straits of Gibraltar and onwards to Africa.

On Sunday we concentrate on inclusivity in birding. We have our very own Mya Bambrick to talk to you about the Cameron Bespolka Trust. Nadia Shaikh from the RSPB will talk about the challenges of the lack of diversity in conservation.

 

 

Saturday 30 January 7-9 pm Register for Saturday Evening

 

Bird Migration

Samantha Franks, BTO

Curlews in Crisis: Reasons for their decline and hope for their conservation

The curlew’s iconic, bubbling call is fast disappearing from our countryside – the UK has lost nearly half its breeding curlews in the space of a generation, while in Ireland, they face the very real threat of imminent extinction. From exploring our understanding of declines, to highlighting how people from all walks of life are working to save Curlew across the British Isles, this talk will provide a glimmer of hope that by working together, we can turn the fortunes of Curlew around.

About Sam
Following a PhD at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada on the migration strategies of Western Sandpipers, Sam ‘migrated’ to the UK in 2013. Now a Senior Research Ecologist with the BTO, she now has the opportunity to apply her passion for shorebirds leading the BTO’s research on breeding waders, and has a particular fondness for Curlew. In her spare time, Sam is a ringer and photographer.  She is keen to influence the next generation of wildlife conservationists, and endeavours to ensure her daughter knows the difference between a godwit and a curlew from a young age.

 

Inglorious Bustards, Flyway Birding at the Straits of Gibraltar

Here at the Inglorious Bustards, experiencing the powerful event of bird migration has led to a life-long fascination with avian migration and #FlywayBirding. Our location near Tarifa puts us right at the epicentre of birding in The Straits and, from a migrating raptor’s point of view, we must surely also be at the centre of the world! We love not only to marvel at the birds passing but also to follow them on their migratory journey and explore the whole range of fascinating and varied terrains they traverse each year. This talk will not only share that experience and introduce you to our home, but we will highlight the importance for migratory birds and the importance of flyway scale conservation and the conservation work we are doing!

About Simon and Niki

Simon Tonkin is co-owner and partner in Inglorious Bustards. Fulfilling a boyhood dream, Simon worked for the RSPB full-time for fifteen years. He worked in farmland bird conservation for most of his RSPB career. Simon has worked as the Conservation Manager for Conservation Grade, working on ground-breaking and exciting conservation projects in Spain, Portugal, Central America, Morocco, Senegal and The Gambia.

Niki Williamson worked and volunteered for the RSPB for twelve years, managing habitats, brandishing chainsaws with varying levels of threat to limbs (her own and others) and honing her birding skills. Latterly she headed up RSPB’s Eastern England farmland advisory team which, together with the other partners in Operation Turtle Dove, were working to ensure a future for this iconic bird. Niki is one of the original members of #teampeanut – a crack troop of A-team style conservationists looking at ways in which West African peanut growers could not only provide peanuts for birdfood but also provide habitats for struggling migratory species – including Turtle Doves – through Fair to Nature accreditation.

 

 

Sunday 31st January 7-9 pm Register for Sunday Evening

 

Inclusivity in the World of Birding

Mya Bambrick, SOS

Creating the next generation of naturalists: The Cameron Bespolka Trust

If you’ve ever been to a nature reserve or birding hotspot you might have noticed one thing, the lack of young people out in the field. Young people are vital for the future of conservation. More opportunities are required to get the next generation outdoors and connecting with the nature around them. This is exactly what the Cameron Bespolka Trust aims to do. I’ll be talking about their fantastic work, why it was set up, and their exciting future plans.

About Mya
Since the age of 8, Mya has had a keen passion for the natural world, with a particular interest in birds. Now 18, she is striving to conserve wildlife and is enthusiastic about connecting other young people with the nature on their doorsteps. She has written for magazines including RSPB Wingbeat, appeared on BBC South East, and is an ambassador for the Cameron Bespolka Trust and Leica Nature and Birding.

Nadia Shaikh RSPB

Inclusivity in the World of Birding

Nature conservation is one of the least diverse professions in the UK, and black and minority ethnic people are underrepresented when we look at who is accessing the UK’s national parks and nature reserves. In this talk, I will share my experience of being a mixed raced woman birdwatcher and pursuing a career in nature conservation. I’ll explore a little bit about what it means when we talk about the ‘systemic issues’ that have led to the disproportionate representation that we have today, and ultimately how if not addressed, it will lead to an uncertain future for nature conservation as we know it.

About Nadia
I am a lifelong naturalist, nature is where I am happiest, it’s the place where I can sate my curiosity and ground myself. My career in conservation started when I was 7 years old as chair of a conservation club in my shed, it has grown since then, for the last 10 years I have discovered a joy in helping to connect people to nature, working with communities and helping inspire more people to take action through volunteering.

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