Nature's Voice

Every autumn starling numbers in the UK are bolstered by hundreds of thousands of birds migrating here from Northern Europe, Russia and the Ukraine to escape harsh winter weather. As they come in to roost at dusk they gather in huge flocks creating spectacular 'sky art' - a natural wonder of the season. On this edition of Nature's Voice Jane Markham meets the RSPB's Annabel Rushton who looks forward to their arrival at the Leighton Moss reserve in Lancashire and to the RSPB's Martin Fowlie, a keen naturalist, to find out more about why and how they create these breathtaking murmurations.

Climate change is already affecting the migration patterns of birds that visit the UK. Some arrive early and leave later while some don't visit us at all anymore. On this edition of Nature's Voice Jane Markham talks to the RSPB's Andrew Dodd about how it's becoming harder for species to adapt to this change. She also meets ecologist Dr Simon Pickering from the green energy provider Ecotricity to discuss the role of renewable energy in averting the worst effects of climate change.

One of the season's great spectacles is about to begin as birds from as far north as the arctic circle head for the UK to overwinter. Pink-footed geese and whooper swans are just two of the species which will be arriving shortly at Loch Leven in central Scotland – both are on the amber list of conservation concern. On this episode of Nature's Voice Jane Markham meets Vicky Turnbull from the RSPB's Tayside reserves and Graham Jones site manager for the Dee Estuary to look forward to their arrival and get an understanding of the perilous journeys they have to make to get here.

Long before Robin Hood lived in Sherwood Forest its oak trees were providing homes for nature. August 2018 sees the RSPB preparing to open a brand new visitor centre and take on the management of this historic national nature reserve. On this edition of Nature's Voice Jane Markham talks to the man running the project and RSPB ecologist Andy Skinner who has been surveying the roots of the Major Oak - as well as Robin Hood himself!

Are you up for a Wild Challenge this summer? The RSPB's new online activity awards, funded by their partnership with supermarket chain Aldi, aims to connect children with nature. Wild Challenge is full of ideas to inspire children to get outdoors and during Wild Challenge week, from the 30th of July to August 5th, those who gain their bronze, silver or gold awards will also receive RSPB goodies. On this edition of Nature's Voice Jane Markham meets up with the RSPB's Rebecca Kerfoot and Aldi's John O'Maoileoin to find out more.

The annual Swift Survey has been running since 2009, gathering information on where swifts are nesting across the UK. Swift numbers are 53 per cent down over the last 30 years and data from the survey, coupled with some ground breaking research in Northern Ireland, is providing clues to why this might be happening. On this episode of Nature's Voice Jane Markham talks to RSPB Northern Ireland's senior conservation scientist Kendrew Colhoun about using GPS tracking – a world first on a bird so small - and to Guy Anderson about how your sightings can contribute to this year's survey.

The government is seeking views on the future of farming. Michael Gove, secretary of state at the department of farming, food and rural affairs wants the UK to become a global leader when it comes to protecting the planet and on this episode of Nature's Voice Jane Markham talks to Vicki Swales, head of land use policy for RSPB Scotland, about how farming policy post Brexit could change the countryside for the better. And in Curlew Crisis Month she meets farmer David Bonnar whose work on his upland farm in Northern Ireland is helping the plight of this critically endangered wader.

When humans move species from one part of the world to another it can cause all sorts of problems - from non-native rodents wiping out entire seabird colonies to non-native water weeds choking our rivers. On this month's Nature's Voice Jane Markham meets three people who are coping with the impact of these invaders on a daily basis. Laura Bambini is an RSPB Scotland seabird recovery officer, Kelly Thomas, a reserves ecologist who has advice on how to recognise a new threat from the asian hornet and Danny Heptinstall, who as an RSPB policy officer, specialises in invasive non native species and biosecurity.

Field crickets are in danger and the Back from the Brink Field Cricket Project team are working to help increase the population of these chunky little crickets which are just 2 cm long. In the 1980s, there was only one group of fewer than 100 individuals left. This is where cricket ticklers come in – their job is to find and collect crickets from one site and move them to new homes on restored heathland. On this edition of Nature's Voice Jane Markham finds out more from Jane Sears, the RSPB's senior reserves ecologist and Martin Fowlie – a volunteer cricket tickler!

The government has set its vision for a green future in a detailed 25 year plan to improve the environment. On this month's Nature's Voice, the RSPB's Senior Policy Officer Robin Wynde talks to Jane Markham about the plan and what needs to be done to achieve its goals. And Cambridgeshire farmer Martin Lines, a member of the new Nature Friendly Farming Network, explains why it's so important that sustainable farming has a voice at this critical time in the debate over the future of agriculture.