Peregrine Falcons breed at St Albans Cathedral
A pair of peregrine falcons are nesting on St Albans Cathedral for the first time ever. The pair are now sitting on their eggs which have been laid very high up on the cathedral in a nesting tray, purposely installed for the birds to use.
This is a hugely rewarding development for the Wilder St Albans project, a collaboration between Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and St Albans City and District Council.
HeronWatch 2022 - Verulamium Park
RSPB St Albans are once again running a HeronWatch at Verulamium Park this spring.
Volunteers will be set up with telescopes at the edge of the lake near the Fighting Cocks pub giving visitors a great opportunity to watch the nesting Grey Herons and Little Egrets.
From 10 April to 22 May, come down to the lake between 11.00am - 1.00pm every weekend and bank holiday to learn more about these fascinating birds, as eggs hatch to chicks and grow into young birds.
If you would like to volunteer as a HeronWatcher, covering a one hour shift, or more, please email Dan Fletcher st-albans-rspb@hotmail.co.uk .
Passage Migrant Species Plots
Chris Ruis has developed species plots showing peak occurrence for a number of our regular passage migrants. They are based on data since 1988.
Click each species below to see its plot.
The Herts Local Patch Big Weekend 23rd - 24th April 2022
The Herts Bird Club’s inaugural Local Patch Big Weekend is above all about getting out BIRDWATCHING in HERTS and having FUN! The simple aim is to see how many species you and your team can record on your chosen local patch over the weekend 23rd - 24th April 2022.
Googlesheet now available. Details on how to complete and rules and bottom of this article
Local Patch Big Weekend 2022 Googlesheet
Over the last few years birdwatching, of necessity, has had to shift its focus to the local and that has led to some great discoveries of just how rich and rewarding the birdlife on our doorstep can be. Of course, local birdwatching has the added benefit of less fuel miles with many people choosing to walk from home, cycle or even just sit in their garden!
Breeding Peregrines, mugger ducks and fabulous photos – the 2022 Herts Bird Conference
Hertfordshire’s increasing breeding population of the spectacular Peregrine Falcon and the influence of climate change on wintering wildfowl in the Lee Valley were among topics highlighted at the annual Herts Bird Club / BTO conference.
Go to HBC-BTO Conference 2022 to read more
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HNHS News
The Hertfordshire Naturalist 2026 – contributions sought
Stuart Warrington, editor of the Hertfordshire Naturalist, is looking for for contributions to the 2026 edition.
These can be articles or observations or photos about the wildlife, habitats or geology of the county. We are happy to look at a range of content and styles, so please do consider making a contribution to our long-running journal.
Website Upgrade
The HNHS and Bird Club management committees are working together to redevelop and upgrade the HNHS and Bird Club websites. The project is currently in the early planning stages and, as part of this, we would like users of the websites to provide feedback on the websites to help us understand what needs improving via two short surveys linked below. All feedback received will be collated and reviewed during the planning process.
Please provide feedback on the HNHS website here.
Please provide feedback on the Bird Club website here.
How to help Swifts – the 2026 Herts Bird Conference
The 2026 Hertfordshire Bird Conference attracted a full house of HNHS/Bird Club members and friends on Saturday 7 March to hear fascinating talks on Swift conservation, birds in urban greenspaces and the 'journey' of a bird record submitted through the Bird Club website.
Videos of all the main presentations can be found on the HNHS YouTube channel
Swifts are our fastest bird in level flight and famously only land when nesting. They otherwise feed, drink, sleep and mate on the wing.