Meet the team; what are our favourite songbirds?

This week, we thought we would mix it up a bit and let you all get to know our little team here at SongBird Survival a little bit better using our own words. We introduce who we are, what makes us tick and the most controversial question of what our favourite songbirds are! This instalment introduces George, Robyn and Charlotte, so check back in for the next blog on the rest of the team.
Let us know which songbird is your favourite by emailing us at dawn-chorus@songbird-survival.org.uk.

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George - Operations and finance manager

'The Mad Bird Lady'- actually, I am more of a mad cat lady really! Or perhaps, mad animal lady would be more accurate? If it has fur, scales, feathers, hooves, claws, horns, antennae etc then I probably love it.  But, as my mother will attest, it all started with cats when I was barely a toddler.

I grew up surrounded by animals, both domestic and wild and feel a keen link with all the creatures we share our environment with and a fervent desire to make that environment the best it can be for them (and us.) I feel privileged to have had the time to be amongst and be able to study, close up, so many different sorts of creature and appreciate their wonderous abilities, interactions and strengths. I feel lucky to be part of nature and be able to help it in my small way where I can.

I now live in Norfolk with my partner, Graham and our 2 dogs and 2 cats.  Ollie and Sarah are border terriers (border terrierists!) They like to tear around the garden, wearing themselves out whilst Gra and I work on our veggie patch – the wild birds have learned that none of us are a threat and happily carry on, often only feet away. Blake and Muffin watch from the windows as they are indoor cats, the birds ignore them.

We spend most of our spare time making our home comfortable and garden a haven for wildlife as well as for us to enjoy and eat the food we grow. We both prefer being outdoors and I sometimes join Gra for a weekend of Carp fishing – he does the fishing, I get to relax, read and enjoy visiting a new area of nature and wildlife by a beautiful lake.

We both love food and creating meals, baking, making jams, chutneys and more.  There is nothing quite like sharing the fruits of our garden labours and the fares of our culinary efforts with friends and family.

I love to create and make and build – whether this is in art, crochet or embroidery or a new veggie plot, bookcase or patio. This does mean I am a bit of a hoarder as I hate to throw anything away that could be useful one day! I think in pictures and numbers and am constantly seeing patterns and building things in my mind or converting these plans into reality wherever I can. This also means I love puzzles and use these as a tool to sit still.

There is always something to do, something to make, something to maintain, something to create, something to help with, something to add to the list.  None of them are chores, I enjoy them all too much to call them that!  

But between the items on the list, usually with a cuppa in hand, there are the moments, the time to breathe and take stock and observe my favourite wee lollipops visiting the feeders while the lookout keeps watch, waiting for his turn, then another of the long-tailed tits takes over and calls to the pack “Off to the next tree! Follow me!”

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Robyn - Trusts and foundations manager

Hello there, readers! I'm Robyn, and I proudly serve as the Trust and Foundations Manager at SongBird Survival. Today, I'd love to introduce myself, give you a glimpse into my role at SBS, and share my favourite songbird at this time of year which so happens to be my namesake – the Robin.  

My fascination with nature began during my childhood explorations in the great outdoors. I would often be on adventures and exploring the wilderness around me, or in my imagination alongside the creatures in the many, many books I read. One of my favourite things as a young child would be to visit my grandparents in Wiltshire. They used to teach me and my little sister all about the local flora and fauna. We would go for walks around the village, and I would help my grandfather in the allotment behind their house. There was a cosy little seating area in their garden which we named ‘Bumblebee Corner’ and here, we would have lunch (with hot chocolate on colder days) while my grandfather would tell us about all the birds and insects we saw. My love of nature, and the small animals in our landscape has always stuck with me, so it’s no surprise at all that I have found myself working for SBS to preserve our beautiful songbirds.

As the Trust and Foundations Manager at SongBird Survival, my role involves connecting with trusts and foundations that are empowered to give money for charitable purposes. I work alongside our Fundraising and Supporter Care team to secure the crucial funding needed to support our research and education efforts, ensuring that the songs of our birds continue to grace our lives.

At this time of year, my heart belongs to the Robin. Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons, and Robins are a delightful sight against the backdrop of a wintry landscape. Did you know that they are a symbol of resilience and the enduring spirit of nature during the winter season? For me they are a welcome sight, bringing a sense of comfort and warmth to the colder months, reminding us that even in the harshest of conditions, beauty and hope can be found. We have a couple of Robins that return to our garden every year and I can’t help but smile every time that I see one perched on the garden wall, or at the feeders.  

So, there’s a brief glimpse into my world and why the robin, especially during the winter, holds a special place in my heart.  

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Charlotte - Research and engagement manager

Hi all, I'm Charlotte and I work as the research and engagement manager here at SBS. You can usually find me organising the blogs here on the SBS website, working on our research strategy and filling our website and your feeds with scientific and fun facts!

My love for animals and nature is deep rooted, and years of scientific research has made me appreciate all the mystery and intricacies of the natural world. Birds especially have always been a great interest for me, as we see them every day but so much of their behaviour and biology is elusive as they fly high in our skies. Luckily for me, my work at SBS allows me to do what I love as a job, and I get to do it from my house in the Devon countryside surrounded by birds, as well as the odd sheep and cow! My role focuses on the SBS research strategy, helping our scientific research advisory committee to choose what research we fund, and use our research to make a big impact on songbirds. Engaging with the public, the government and with other charities and institutions is part of my job to spread awareness of the issues our songbirds face, and hopefully our hard work will pay off by making the world a better place for songbirds.

Outside of my love for science, nature and songbirds, I love travelling and seeing more of the world around me. I have been fortunate enough to work in different areas of the world in research, and now only travel for pleasure and to explore different cultures, foods and experience the fabulous weather. I love being in the outdoors, and like to go hiking in Dartmoor with my partner and big fluffy German shepherd Max, or to the beach when it's not too busy!

I can never commit to just one favourite songbird, and my favourite seems to change throughout the year. There are just so many to love for so many different reasons. Right now, my love is for the dipper, an often overlooked songbird. They are so unique, in that they propel themselves through the water using their wings, and can walk into water to forage! Their evolution and behaviour fascinates me, and is so different from other songbirds, they must take the mantle of my favourite songbird, at least for now.

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Check back with us next time to see what our CEO and supporter care teams favourite birds are!

The SBS Team

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If you have a species you would like us to cover on #theSBSblog, please contact us at dawn-chorus@songbird-survival.org.uk or our Research and Engagement Manager at charlotte@songbird-survival.org.uk. 

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