Lapwing love in Yorkshire
Ground-nesting birds enjoyed a breeding boost thanks to a four-year conservation project that was recently completed in the Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire. Work at RSPB Old Moor and Wombwell Ings reserves, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, included restoration of floodplain wet grasslands. At least 46 Lapwings fledged successfully across the valley.
Snipe at RSPB Blacktoft Sands. Photo: RSPB Images
Waterbird influx
One of nature’s great migrations occurred this past autumn at RSPB Blacktoft Sands and the Humber Estuary as thousands of waterbirds arrived to spend the winter, such as Pink-footed Geese, Wigeons and Snipe (above), among many others. Several RSPB nature reserves lie along the East Coast Wetlands, a network of habitats stretching from the Humber to the Thames, providing essential stopovers for millions of migrating birds.
Peregrine Falcon. Photo: Jerome Murray (Alamy Stock Photo)
Birds and brides at Lincoln Cathedral
Peregrines (above) have long nested on Lincoln Cathedral and have developed a habit of attracting attention from wedding parties gathered below.
This year, the resident pair of Peregrines successfully raised a brood of four young birds, all of which fledged safely. An amazing 3,331 visitors were wowed by the sight thanks to Lincoln Local Group, which set up its Watch Point on weekends throughout June and July. They’ve done this every year since 2007, during which time 41 young Peregrines have fledged.
With such a spectacular backdrop, it’s not surprising that this location is a favourite stop for wedding parties to view the Peregrines. Newlyweds Amy and Nathan Chudley (below) were snapped admiring the feathered family by Anthony Venditti, a relative from the US attending the celebrations. Here’s wishing them as successful a union as the Peregrines have on high! Find details of the 2025 Peregrine Watch Point on the Lincoln Local Group website.
Newlyweds Amy and Nathan Chudley admiring Peregrines after their wedding at Lincoln Cathedral. Photo: Anthony Venditti
Connecting people to nature
Nature reserve visits for diverse communities in Glasgow, Swift-focused activities in Greater Manchester, ‘Nature Prescriptions’ in Cardiff and the West Midlands – these are just some of the ways we’re boosting connections with nature, thanks to £1,000,000 in funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
These are among five RSPB projects comprising People Power for Nature, designed to help communities in seven towns and cities connect with nature – and contribute to protecting it. The award will also fund development of a Species Volunteer Network in Scotland and Wales, providing training and support to enable direct, skilled, hands-on action to recover and conserve critically declining species.
