RSPB Archives - Kitchen Garden Magazine

Blue tits taking a bath. Fresh water is essential for garden birds in summer

Birds of a feather get hot in this weather

23rd June 2020 Steve Ott News

With temperatures set to soar above 30C in parts of the UK over the next few days, the RSPB is asking people to give birds a helping hand in the hot conditions by leaving out a supply of fresh water in their gardens or outdoor space. Birds need water for two reasons; drinking and bathing. Unlike mammals, birds don’t have…

Lockdown SOS (Save our swans)

20th May 2020 Steve Ott News

Lockdown leaves the UK’s ducks and swans at risk of starvation – here’s how you can help. Without intervention, many animals are being left without the food they rely on. Ark Wildlife has donated five tons of feed to charities, and is asking the public to do their bit. Why are duck and swan populations at risk? As we have…

Help save puffins from home – join the Puffarazzi!

8th April 2020 Steve Ott News

RSPB’s innovative citizen science photography project needs your pictures As puffins return to the UK’s coastlines, the RSPB is asking for members of the public to join in from home in its ground-breaking project, Puffarazzi, to help to find out more about our beloved seabirds. With their colourful bills, distinctive eye markings and somewhat comical walk, puffins are a firm…

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results

2nd April 2020 Steve Ott News

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results show milder winter helps small garden birds The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed smaller birds such as long-tailed tits, wrens and coal tits were seen in greater numbers in gardens across the country than in 2019 thanks to the milder winter. Now in its 41st year, the Big Garden Birdwatch…

RSPB’s Breakfast Birdwatch

26th March 2020 Steve Ott News

Something to get your day started….the kids might enjoy it too The RSPB has begun a daily Breakfast Birdwatch, taking place between 8-9am weekdays, at a time when many of us would have been commuting to work, doing the school run, or otherwise unable to enjoy the splendour of nature, from the safety of our homes. Using #BreakfastBirdwatch on social…

Big Garden Birdwatch 2020

30th December 2019 Steve Ott News

Watch the birdie! Count the birds that land in your garden or local park and you could help the RSPB’s annual survey. The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is scheduled for January 25-27, 2020, with up to half a million people expected to watch and count their garden birds. To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020 all you need…

RSPB’S Birdsong Initiative to Act on Climate Change

16th October 2019 Steve Ott News

Birdsong is set to sweep the country as the UK calls for politicians to act on climate change and the environment On Thursday 17 October over five million people will hear soothing birdsong in over 5,000 unexpected locations including Westfield Shopping Centre, National Assembly for Wales, Murrayfield Stadium, Co-op stores across the UK and transport hubs including London Underground stations.…

Garden amphibians drying up

18th July 2018 Steve Ott News

Results from the RSPB’s 2018 wildlife survey reveal that garden amphibians are becoming rarer The results from the RSPB’s 2018 wildlife survey, conducted as part of the Big Garden Birdwatch, reveal that sightings of garden amphibians are becoming rarer. Frogs were reported in over three-quarters of gardens across the UK – but despite being the most common non-bird garden visitor,…

Birds of a feather get hot in this weather…

2nd July 2018 Steve Ott News

… so look after our garden friends with some liquid refreshment to keep them happy and healthy! With the heatwave continuing across the UK and little sign of significant rainfall for many areas, the RSPB is asking people to give birds a helping hand in the hot conditions by leaving out a supply of fresh water in their gardens or…

School’s new additions are up before the beak!

1st June 2018 Steve Ott News

But they’re not facing the head teacher… instead, this quartet of baby blackbirds gave pupils a wildlife lesson to remember. Summer nesting season is in full swing – and some birds aren’t taking any chances when it comes to providing the best for their babies. If you have children, you’ll know the worry of getting your child into the school…

Our swift guide to migrating birds!

26th April 2018 Steve Ott News

Birds are flying to our shores to enjoy what we all hope will be a glorious summer. The RSPB has handy tips to help identify our visitors. Migrant birds who have spent the winter in Africa are arriving on our shores. Much-loved favourites like swifts, swallows and house martins will be seen and heard around houses, gardens and the countryside…

Everybody sing!

16th April 2018 Steve Ott News

Yes, it seems that spring has finally sprung, and the birds are awake early to tell everyone the good news… Every spring across the UK, an extraordinary thing happens. Early in the morning, woodlands and gardens that fell silent in winter are suddenly awakened by the trilling, chirping and warbling of birds. This is known as the dawn chorus, as…

Going very slightly bananas…

12th April 2018 Steve Ott News

In our first Subs Club for April, for KG subscribers only, we catch up with news and views… from plots as far away as Uzbekistan! Read on. Grow more veg or pay more tax Pictured above: banana peppers, hot in Uzbekistan The government of Uzbekistan has told its citizens to use their gardens ‘efficiently’ or face a triple land tax, according…

Sing… it’s nearly spring!

16th February 2018 Steve Ott News

It’s not just for the birds – signs of that most cheerful of seasons are all around for everyone to enjoy. All you need to do is look! Signs of spring are sweeping across the nation, says the RSPB. January temperatures in England and Wales were 1C above the long-term average, triggering wildlife to stir from its winter slumber earlier…