Kids get hands-on with conservation building BASC bird boxes
Children at a North Wales school have been getting involved in practical conservation by building BASC bird boxes for their local area.
Club initiative gives BASC Wing Survey a boost
Fenland Wildfowlers Association helped make the 2025/26 BASC Wing Survey a record success, with more than 4,000 wings submitted nationwide.
A membership raffle helped Fenland Wildfowlers Association (FWA) members submit 142 wings to the BASC Wing Survey during the 2025/26 season. Their contribution formed part of a record year for the survey, with more than 4,000 wings submitted nationwide.
This successful FWA initiative to encourage members to take part in the BASC Wing Survey will be recognised at The Game Fair (24-26 July at Ragley Hall), with a membership raffle draw taking place inside the BASC Dome at the main stand on Friday 24 July.
Last season, the FWA entered every member who submitted a Wing Survey return into a prize draw for a chance to win a year’s free club membership. Members received one raffle entry for each survey submission they made during the season, regardless of how many wings were included in that return.
The simple incentive helped generate a healthy level of participation, with FWA members submitting 142 wings during the 2025/26 season. Teal and wigeon accounted for the largest number of submissions, with 44 and 43 wings respectively.
A record year for the BASC Wing Survey
Last season was the biggest on record for the BASC Wing Survey, with more than 4,000 wings submitted from across the UK.
Heather Warrender, BASC scientific advisor, said: “The Wing Survey relies on the commitment of people who take the time to submit their wings throughout the season. Every submission adds to our understanding of wildfowl populations, and it’s great to see clubs like the Fenland Wildfowlers Association finding new ways to encourage members to get involved.”
Heather was also able to provide the FWA with a summary of the club’s submissions, giving members an insight into the birds recorded on their own ground throughout the season.
The Wing Survey is one of the UK’s longest-running citizen science projects, providing valuable information on the age and breeding success of wildfowl. Every wing submitted helps strengthen the evidence base that supports the sustainable management of wildfowl populations.
Could your club get involved?
The Fenland wildfowlers’ raffle draw will take place following the wildfowling talk on the BASC stand at The Game Fair on Friday afternoon.
BASC hopes the FWA’s approach will encourage other clubs to consider similar initiatives to help increase participation in the Wing Survey during the coming season.
Find out more about the BASC Wing Survey, how to take part next season and what other initiatives you can get involved in.
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