News from our partners: Researchers to share findings of digital bird survey at public event
Researchers will share their findings of the county’s first digital bird survey at a public meeting in Shrewsbury next month.
A team from Harper Adams University, enabled by the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR), has installed 25 sensors at sites across Shropshire under the Green Box project.
The Green Box system uses audio sensors to collect real‑time data on bird species, contributing to ongoing ecological work in partnership with Harper Adams University. Recent installations, including deployment at the Shropshire Ornithological Society’s Venus Pools site and at Attingham Park, have generated datasets intended to support conservation planning and contribute to national biodiversity records.
The event, at Shropshire Wildlife Trust, will provide an overview of how the Green Box sensors are being used to monitor local bird activity and how the findings can support biodiversity research.
Dr Megan Lewis, from Harper Adams University, said:-
“The Green Box project is giving us a clearer picture of bird activity across Shropshire. The data we’re collecting is already proving useful, and we’re looking forward to sharing the latest findings with attendees in March.”
Rob Wilson Shropshire Council Cabinet member with responsibility for digital, said:-
“The Green Box project is an excellent example of how modern digital technologies can be applied in nature to gather real-time data to give an accurate picture of what is happening in the field.
“As well as giving us a snapshot of the species of birds in the county the findings of these listening surveys can be used to support biodiversity planning and projects and may also alert us to potential environmental shifts.
“The research findings will be fascinating and I hope people will also enjoy finding out more about the types of birds making their home in Shropshire.”
The RSPAWIR programme, managed by Shropshire Council and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is one of 10 UK Innovation Regions. It focuses on accelerating the adoption of wireless-enabled technologies across water management, agri-tech, and public sector services within the River Severn catchment.
The Green Box Shropshire Bird Biodiversity Showcase will be held at Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, on Tuesday 24 March from 6pm to 8pm. Tickets are free but places must be reserved in advance at Green Box Shropshire Bird Biodiversity Showcase Tickets, Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
