Dotted along the Welsh Coast are several RSPB Nature Reserves. These important conservation areas provide safe habitats for a huge variety of birds, insects and wildlife. 

The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is one of Britain’s most recognisable charities. For over 100 years it has worked tirelessly to protect, preserve and promote the conservation of our country’s enormous array of birds and wildlife. The RSPB is the largest conservation society in Europe and it has over 200 nature reserves dotted across the country in a bid to protect Britain’s birds and wildlife.

Birds of a feather

The RSPB’s history is long and varied and spans more than a century. It was first founded in 1889 by Emily Willamson at her house in a suburb of south Manchester. It was initially an all-female group who protested against the use of bird feathers and skins in hats and clothing, which were extremely fashionable at the time. The group was known as the Plumage League and soon after its inception joined with a similar group in London, and the RSPB was formed.

Since then, the society has gone from strength to strength and is one of the most important wildlife and conservation charities in Great Britain. The society believes that the health of the bird population is a reflection of the general environmental well-being of our planet and its natural resources, upon which we all depend. In recent years many natural habitats have been threatened, either by human activity such building and development, or by natural factors like rising flood waters. The RSPB works extremely hard to protect habitats from these threats and attempts to counteract any damage caused.

RSPB Facts

• The RSPB look after 200 nature reserves across Britain
• 130,000 acres of land are covered by RSPB nature reserves
• With over 1 million members and 2,000 employees, the RSPB is the largest conservation charity in Europe.
• The RSPB was founded in 1889
• 17,600 volunteers work for the RSPB
• Wildlife presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff is the current president