Your questions about swans
Do swans mate for life? Can a swan break your arm? Does the King own all the swans? Here’s the ultimate run-down on all things swan-related in the UK.
Blog
7 tips for getting kids started in birdwatching
The autumn and winter months are a fantastic time to get into bird watching – at any age. Here’s Ranger Tony’s advice for getting youngsters connected with the natural world.
Moorhen or coot? Coot or moorhen?
While these birds are closely related, they’re straightforward to tell apart once we know what we’re looking for. And there’s a clever mnemonic to make sure you always get your species ID the right way around.
The power of biological clocks – how birds know when to migrate
September marks the start of a phenomenal journey for the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that overwinter in the UK, but one question that always comes to mind is … how do birds know when to migrate?
Visiting sandpipers: autumn passage migrants
In the late summer and autumn, our coastline provides a vital pit-stop for birds like curlew sandpipers and common sandpipers, that are heading further south from more northern breeding areas.
Why do spoonbills have spoon … bills?
Whether you’ve seen them in the wild or watched them on TV, spoonbills really are a bird that live up to their name. But, have you ever wondered why they have a spoon bill?
Watersports with wildlife map extended to cover eastern Solent
If you enjoy watersports such as paddleboarding or kayaking, you’ll know they’re a great way to connect with natural surroundings. Our map allows people to enjoy the water with minimal disruption to wildlife
A step-by-step guide to bird pebble painting
To celebrate this year’s Summer Reading Challenge in libraries which is all about getting creative, Ranger Tony has put together this step-by-step guide to pebble painting a bird.
The early years of 5 coastal birds
With young birds taking their first steps in life along the Solent coastline, it can make bird ID even trickier than usual. Read our pick of the youngsters you’ll see along the Solent coastline.
Four easy steps to help ground nesting birds thrive
More than half of our most threatened breeding bird species nest on or near the ground. By following a few simple steps, we’ll give these birds the best chance of thriving.
Live music – from the most generous of musicians
As Mental Health Awareness Week draws to a close, Ranger Tony shares his thoughts on the generosity of the birdsong we hear every day, and the importance of taking time to stop and listen.
Mental health and nature
At the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, Ranger Tony takes an in-depth look at the powerful healing energies of nature and shares his tips on mindful birdwatching.
Woodpigeon or street pigeon? Collared dove or turtle dove?
In this feature, we’re focusing on five species of pigeons and doves and explaining why there are so many pigeons in our cities.
An alternative dawn chorus: 9 weird and wonderful coastal bird calls
While many people think of garden and woodland birds when it comes to memorable bird song, we think our coastal birds give them a good run for their money.
Enjoying watersports while taking care of nature
It’s a year since we launched our ‘Watersports with Wildlife’ initiative with its unique interactive map. It’s proved to be one of our most popular pages on our website. Here’s Ranger Richie’s account of the project so far:
Summer birds and butterflies to see and hear along the Solent
While we’ve waved farewell to our winter wading birds and wildfowl, there are plenty of summer visitors to listen for and watch.
Migration myths: how our ancestors made sense of the natural world
Before tracking technology and the advent of global travel were able to untangle the mysteries of migration, people had some fairly outlandish ideas about what happened to birds that vanish each season.
Can you tell a curlew from a godwit? How to identify the Solent’s large wading birds
For the final blog in our wading bird ID series, we’re focussing on the largest waders you will find on the shores of the Solent – oystercatchers, curlews, black-tailed godwits and lapwings.
