Our Farmland & Wetland Birds
These birds are part of our local countryside but are declining dramatically
Grasshopper warbler
Corn bunting
Turtle doves
On summer mornings,imagine hearing
the purr of a turtle dove
the jangling of a corn bunting or the
insect-like trill of a grasshopper warbler
Water rail
Help Our Local Birds:
Record, Understand, Protect
Our Farmland & Wetland Birds recording project brings together local volunteers to record and monitor these and other species, helping build the knowledge needed to protect them for the future.
Our mission is simple:to
record, understand and protect
the birds that make our countryside special.
Why This Work Matters
The decline of our bird populations is caused by changes in land use and habitat loss.
Our farmers, landowners and conservation organisations can use our records to help protect wildlife while managing the countryside sustainably.
Our Impact
2025 marked our third year recording birds to build a picture of our local birdlife, with 5,268 bird records submitted and 116 different bird species recorded.
This incredible effort by our dedicated team of volunteer recorders provides valuable information about the birds living in, migrating through and relying on our landscape.
Some of the farmland species you might see.
Supporting UK Conservation
As part of a nationwide community of over 12,000 birdwatchers, our records are submitted to BirdTrack, a recording system run by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in partnership with other conservation organisations across Britain (and Ireland).
Its database of 9+ million records from 400+ bird species helps scientists understand migration movements, species distributions and long-term population trends, providing vital evidence for conservation.
Join the Team
Our project relies on the enthusiasm of local people who enjoy nature and we are always keen to welcome new volunteers.
Joining an experienced volunteer on one of our survey routes is a good way to get started. They will help you identify by sight and/or sound the birds you encounter and introduce you to BTO’s recording methods.
If you would like to learn more about the project or start recording birds locally, we would love to hear from you.
Email: BensonAreaNature@yahoo.com
By working together locally and with the broader Birdtrack community we can help ensure that species such as turtle dove, corn bunting and grasshopper warbler remain part of our countryside for generations to come.
Some of the wetland species you might see