News
Get ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch!
The RSPBs Nationwide birdwatch will be over the weekend of 24, 25 and 26 January 2025. You can download a leaflet about the birdwatch and an identification guide to some of the most common garden birds Here.
Lead has been poisoning our wildlife and communities for decades
Every year, 7,000 tonnes of toxic lead ammunition is scattered into our environment. Here it poisons people, wildlife and wetlands, creeping up the food chain and contaminating the soil for generations to come.
It’s a scandal, and it’s been going on far too long.
But with a crucial review into the use of lead ammunition in Britain now published, the government has a unique opportunity to make history and ban lead ammunition for good.
Right now, Environment Secretary Steve Reed is considering his options.
The Wildlife and Wetland Trust is asking people to call for a ban on lead ammunition. If you would like to support their campaign, please go to www.wwt.org.uk/our-work/projects/tackling-lead-ammunition-poisoning/.
Birdwatching cruises 2025
The times and dates of The Wash Birdwatching Cruises from Boston in 2025 can be found Here.
Tickets are £24 for RSPB members (£30 for non members) and half price for children. Bookings should be open soon via Blackfriars Art Centre 01205 363108 or www.ticketsource.co.uk/blackfriars
The Birdwatcher's Yearbook 2025
Since this book was first published in 1981, it has been a one-stop shop for up to date and verified information for birdwatchers with all levels of interest. However, the publisher, Neil Gartshore informed us that this will be his final Yearbook. He is in discussion with someone to take over from the 2026 edition so the publication will continue for the foreseeable future.
As details of the RSPB Lincoln Local Group have always been included in the book, Nail Garshore and Calluna Books are offering the book to contributors at the special price of £20 (cover price £24), including delivery to a single address. Graham Mumby-Croft is coordinating orders for the book so, if you wish to purchase a copy, please contact Graham at graham.mumby-croft@lincolnrspb.org.uk before the end of December.
Fire in the hills: Why our uplands need your help
As autumn arrives, we can expect to see smoke rising over the northern English uplands from October to March, the heather and grass burning season. During this time, shooting estates use burning as a tool to remove unfavourable vegetation and encourage the growth of young heather – a food source for grouse and livestock. Burning often takes place on globally threatened upland habitats, such as blanket bogs, which have developed over millennia and store large amounts of carbon vital to tackling the climate crisis. We need your help to monitor where this is happening so we can protect these habitats. To find out more about the issue and how you can report burning please see this online article.
Rare Hen Harrier from Bowland disappears in suspicious circumstances
A Lancashire Hen Harrier has disappeared raising fears of illegal persecution. The young female, named Helius, hatched last summer in Bowland. Helius was fitted with a satellite tag which allowed the RSPB to monitor her movements. Her tag showed her to be exploring the wider Bowland area. She even went on to have chicks of her own, producing a brood of five chicks this summer on United Utilities land, three of which fledged. Her chicks having left, on 31 July 2024 Helius was at a location on the boundary of a United Utilities Estate between Brennand Fell and Tarnbrook Fell. The next day, her tag, which had been performing reliably, failed to transmit. It has been silent ever since. The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Lancashire Police were informed and a search was conducted, but they found no trace of Helius or her tag. In 2023 a total of 34 tagged Hen Harriers were killed or disappeared in suspicious circumstances. To learn more and find out you can help harriers and other raptors please see our wildlife crime web page.
How we’re helping birds to thrive
Here’s some good news. The UK may be one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, but, with your support, we’re determined to change that. The RSPB is working nationally and locally to preserve and expand our bird population. Read about how some of our most spectacular species are benefitting from our work – and your support – on this news page.
A Butterfly Emergency
In 2024, we've seen butterfly numbers fall across the UK. With 80% of butterflies having declined since the 1970s and a third of moth numbers having fallen in that same period, the time has come to tell the Government enough is enough.
The Big Butterfly Count 2024 results reveal lowest numbers on record. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has declared a national ‘Butterfly Emergency’, with results of this summer’s Big Butterfly Count showing a marked and hugely concerning decline in numbers.
Butterfly Conservation is asking people to sign an open letter calling on the Government to implement an immediate and permanent ban on butterfly-harming neonicotinoid pesticides, without exceptions. This devastating chemical has been banned in the EU for years but it is still permitted to be used in the UK. Please sign the Open Letter to the Government. Thank you.
An Introduction to Bird Identification and Monitoring
The RSPB has produced a booklet which will give you an introduction to bird identification and monitoring. You can view and/or download a copy Here.
Historic win for EU’s nature: EU Council seals the deal on Nature Restoration Law
After a nail-biting last discussion, the EU Environmental Council finally adopted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL), marking the last step for this long-awaited proposal to finally become law. This outcome is a huge win for Europe’s nature, climate action, citizens and future. Now we need the same commitment from the UK Government! You can find out more about this historic decision made by the EU on the BirdLife International website by clicking Here.
The Flow Country awarded prestigious World Heritage Site status
The Flow Country, including the RSPB’s nature reserve at Forsinard Flows, joins the Great Barrier Reef and the Serengeti as a UNSECO World Heritage Site.
The area is Europe’s largest expanse of blanket bog. It’s a living, working landscape. Many landowners, including the RSPB, are undertaking essential habitat restoration to protect this precious landscape for wildlife, people and the planet. The World Heritage Site will be managed by the Flow Country Partnership.
To mark the celebration, the RSPB's patron, King Charles III, visited Forsinard on Wednesday 31 July.
Lincoln Cathedral's peregrines
The pair of Peregrines at Lincoln Cathedral successfully fledged four young birds last year. The adult birds can be seen perching on the main tower of the Cathedral and flying around the area. The best viewpoint is from the East Green near the Tennyson Statue. Volunteers are required to help at the watchpoint on weekends in June and July. If you enjoy talking to people and are willing to give up a morning or afternoon to help with the event, please contact Gwen Randall - contact details on the 'About Us' page.
Although we were unable to fit leg rings on the Peregrine chicks at Lincoln Cathedral you can watch a fascinating short video of how the RSPB managed to ring the Peregrines chicks that hatched on the University of Glasgow's Gilbert Scott Tower. Click here to watch the video
Photo: One of Lincoln Cathedral's peregrines by Yvonne Allen.
Volunteering at Langford Lowfields
Do you have a passion for nature?
We're looking for volunteers to spend a few hours a week chatting to visitors here at our Langford Lowfields Nature Reserve. We are looking for volunteers for Thursday morning, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays - half and full days available.
You'll be based at our lovely beach hut and be able to get involved with pond dipping and events.
Click here for more information.
Free coach travel for children on Sunday coach outings
You can book one free coach seat for a child under the age of 16 for each adult seat you book and pay for in advance - any admission charges will still apply, only the coach travel is free. We realise that it can be expensive for families to visit nature reserves so we are making this offer to encourage more people to bring children with them and encourage them to take an interest in birds, wildlife and our wonderful natural heritage.
Bird-food sales
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to sell bird food as we don't have any volunteers available to organise it.
Newsletters
The Group ceased producing paper copies of newsletters in 2024, all news is now on-line.only. Copies of all newsletters from the Group's formation in 1974 to the last one issued in 2014 are available on
Dropbox
You do not need a Dropbox account to view them.
To find out more about the RSPB click on the RSPB logo or visit www.rspb.org.uk