RSPB spells out its policy on cafe closures on its reserves: 'We cannot run commercial operations at a loss'

Show me the way to the cafe! The reception area within the visitor centre at the RSPB's Frampton Marsh reserve near Boston in Lincolnshire 
 

THE decision by the RSPB to close cafes on certain of its reserves is continuing to cause discontent among some members.

Its rigorous approach to profitability has caused consternation to those who believe cafes are vital to enhancing the visitor experience.

The closure of the cafe at its Rainham Marshes reserve in Essex has  proved particularly contentious

In the wake of some challenging questions at the most recent annual meetings, the society has spelled out is overall policy thus: "We need our cafés to generate a profit to allow us to reinvest this in  conservation. 

"We operate them with the same commercial focus as any other business where optimising net profit is a key priority. 

"This is achieved through benchmarked pricing, competitive supplier agreements and robust control measures to deliver against key performance indicators to ensure maximum profitability and a high-quality visitor experience."

Our shops and cafés are an important part of the visitor experience, providing a welcoming space and enhancing enjoyment at our reserves. 

They also play a vital role in supporting the RSPB mission by generating unrestricted income for RSPB.  

"But we cannot run commercial operations at a loss when their purpose is to provide income for our charity to enable us to deliver our charitable objectives and mission."  

On the option of outsourcing its cafes to external caterers, it states: 

" If we were to contract our cafes out to a third-party provider, a significant proportion of that benefit would be lost as external companies would naturally retain a share of the profit." 

All in the name of research - but will RSPB's North Wales initiative respect welfare of breeding Ring Ouzels?

                                                      

Ring Ouzel numbers in North Wales  are to be surveyed by the RSPB

A CONTROVERSIAL practice is to be adopted by the RSPB to help in monitoring Ring  Ouzel numbers at sites in North Wales.

The procedure involves playing back recordings of singing Ouzels in the hope of sparking inquisitive birds to make themselves conspicuous.

However, this research technique is frowned on by some ornithologists because it risks confusing the birds and interfering with their breeding activity.

Before these migrants start arriving in Britain from their over-wintering habitat in North Africa for the 2026 season, RSPB hopes to have recruited two seasonal officers to carry out the research.

Says the job description: "We are looking for Conservation Monitoring Officers to undertake a survey of breeding Ring Ouzels in North Wales.

"This  will be a mobile role visiting several different sites across Gwynedd recording the presence of Ring Ouzels using playback of song at specific points along survey routes.  

"The aim is to produce a robust population estimate for breeding Ring Ouzels in Gwynedd to determine the current trend for the species and inform future conservation management."

Surveys are scheduled to start in mid-May and salary will be the pro-rata equivalent of £27,123 - £28,956.                                                     

A trio of Ring Ouzels on the hunt for earthworms

Are Shetland residents turning against twitchers in wake of 'boorish' behaviour by a few?

                                                     

The harbour at Lerwick, Shetland's main town  - arrival point for many rarity-seekers

ONE of Britain's top birding commentators has warned that 'sentiment' among Shetland residents may be turning against birders following incidents of less than responsible behaviour.

In his lively weekly column in the Rare Bird Alert online bulletin, Jon Dunn makes reference to the request by a landowner that the location of a recently-sighted Tengmalm's Owl should not be shared with the birding community.

Writes Jon: "Nobody will want to hear this, but there’s a sentiment held now by some Shetland residents that they don’t want any part of the crowds that gather at a rarity. 

"There have been enough small incidents of damage, disruption, and boorish or thoughtless birder behaviour in recent years to colour perception of twitchers and visiting birders generally."

The columnist, who lives on Shetland, further notes that local "word on the street" is that information about the brief presence of a Great Spotted Flycatcher last October may have been suppressed until after it had left for fear of attracting birders who might not behave responsibly. 

He concludes: "That may make for uncomfortable reading, but there it is - we have collectively reaped what some of us have sown. 

"A timely reminder, then, that wherever we are birding, in Shetland or anywhere else for that matter, we need to be on our best behaviour, and challenge any of our tribe letting the side down.

"Failing that, we’re going to miss birds, among them 'firsts' for Britain.

Rare Bird Alert is at: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/

Applications now closed for Puffin-counting volunteers on island off Pembrokeshire coast

                                     

Puffin - one of Britain's most popular seabirds

APPLICATIONS have now closed for volunteers to count Puffins on Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire Coast for a week at a time during the 2026 breeding season.

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales says: "Volunteering for Skomer is always very oversubscribed - last year we had three times as many applicants as places."

Applications for 2027 will open on September 1, 2026. 

                                  

Skomer Island - breeding birds also include Manx Shearwaters (photo: vist Wales)

An Ibis - Sacred not Glossy - will be in the spotlight at New York auction in midweek

                                                 

Artwork will be star bird at Christie's sale

THE Glossy Ibis influx into Britain has been a recent highlight of the birding scene, but the focus will this week switch to a sister species - a Sacred Ibis.

At a Christie’s auction of antiquities in New York on February 3, a 43-cm long wood and bronze artwork dating back to 664-30 BC is due to go under the hammer with a pre-sale guide price of between 15,000 and 20,000 US dollars.

It is thought be of ancient Egyptian heritage because such sculptures - sometimes hollowed out to contain the ashes of a slaughtered real bird - were often offered to Throth, a god of wisdom, writing and learning.

For a period, the birds were even farmed in Egypt for the purpose of being sacrificed.

The artwork to be sold was formerly held in a museum in Tel Aviv.

The species has a wide distribution in Africa, with further small populations in Iran, Iraq a Kuwait but,  ironically, it is understood now to have been lost to Egypt as a result of the drainage of swamps and other wetlands.                                                

European relative - Glossy Ibis

RSPB looking for seasonal warden to work alongside Spoonbills, Nightjars, Dartford Warblers and Woodlarks

                                                  

A place where Nightjars, Woodlarks and Dartford Warblers all nest (photo: RSPB) 

AN assistant warden is sought for the summer season at some of the RSPB's best-loved southern reserves.

The area around Arne and Poole Harbour in Dorset is a patchwork of habitats including wetlands, scrub, shoreline and heathland.

It is home to species not widely seen in in other parts of Britain. These include Dartford Warblers, Spoonbills, Avocets, Nightjars and Woodlarks.

But the work will involve much more than just showing birders and other visitors the wildlife.

Says the job description: "You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.

"You will have a proven track record of working or completing work alone and working within a varied team.

"And you must be comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds."

The successful applicant will have to demonstrate reasonable wildlife knowledge and experience of biological surveys as well as the know-how to operate and maintain machinery, equipment and infrastructure."

The post is for the duration March 2, 2026 to September 1, 2026 with a salary  the equivalent of £27,123.00 - £28,956.00.

More information from stewart.milburn@rspb.org.uk

The closing date for applications is midnight on February 9.

                                      

Spoonbills are among the wetalnd birds regularly to be seen

Taxidermy Sparrowhawks set to go under the hammer at auction in Lincolnshire market town

                                              

Sorrowful - the three Louth Sparrowhawks 

IT is not known  how they met their fate but three taxidermy (ie stuffed) Sparrowhawks  are soon likely to have new ownership.

They are set to be auctioned as a single lot (number 451) at an auction to be conducted by John Taylors of Louth in Lincolnshire  on February 3.

Online bidding has already reached £18, but the estimate is that the hammer will fall at between £30 and £40. 

Meanwhile the last lot (number 796) in the sale is an attractive print of three Cranes in flight.

The pre-sale estimate is that this will fetch between £30 and £50.

                               

On the way up - the three Cranes