Chaffinch Accents
The National Trust needs your help to save the disappearing chaffinch ‘accents’!
Chaffinch calls are one of the most distinctive features of British birdsong and a unique example of social learning amongst birds, but these calls are rapidly being lost to disease. This means that birdsong unique to just a 30-mile radius, or chaffinch ‘accents’ are disappearing. Their birdsong can also potentially be used to diagnose which birds have trichomonosis giving important information about its spread.
If you hear a chaffinch to please record it (ideally for 5 minutes, but anything is helpful!) and send it to the National Trust at: marnie.woodmeade@nationaltrust.org.uk OR on WhatsApp to: 07834862423
For help IDing the chaffinch, you can find pictures and its call here: Chaffinch Bird Facts | Fringilla Coelebs
Please don’t worry about recording the wrong bird, the Trust are happy to receive any birdsong!
As part of this project, there will be the opportunity to feature on a podcast! Send over a voice note saying who you are and where you spotted the chaffinch for a chance to be included. If you’re not happy to have your voice included in the podcast, then please just let the Trust know where you spotted it.
This is part of a citizen science project and Wild Tales podcast from the National Trust. Please make sure you record birdsong safely! Don’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do.
Grow Wild Grants
‘Grow Wild’ will be offering grants of £500 to young people (aged 16 to 25 years) across the UK to deliver an original and exciting creative project that celebrates why UK native plants and/or fungi are so special. Projects need to engage at least 100 other people (either in person or online). The grant can be used to pay for anything to support the project, such as equipment, materials, training, resources, or expert help. Projects can start in May but must be completed by the end of October 2025. Applications will be accepted from young people aged 16 to 25 years old who live in the UK and who can find a supporting organisation, such as a school, university, youth club or a local community group, to help them deliver the project.
The application deadline for funding in 2025 is 19th March 2025 (15:00). Click here for more information and to apply.
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