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Shropshire National Trust property latest to join hi-tech birdsong research project

Posted 9 February

A hi-tech bird monitoring project drawing on ÎÞÂ붯»­ expertise has been extended to a Shropshire National Trust property.

The Green Box Project, enabled by ÎÞÂ붯»­ and the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR), allows wireless sensors to monitor birdsong – and uses the information to map bird diversity across Shropshire.

The project is now being extended to Attingham Park near Shrewsbury, an 18^th Century National Trust estate with 200 acres of parkland.

Researchers will use sensors to collect real-time data on bird populations at the site - and increase understanding of how Attingham’s habitats support them.

The initiative, which has been in use by Harper Adams for several months and has been extended to multiple sites across Shropshire through the RSPAWIR, demonstrates the effectiveness of advanced wireless technology and Artificial Intelligence in species observation.

Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council Cabinet member with responsibility for digital, said: “This kind of continuous, non-intrusive data collection will deepen our understanding of local species and help inform how we protect and enhance our natural environment.

“I’m delighted that Attingham Park will be part of this wider network, showcasing how innovation can support biodiversity, strengthen conservation efforts and engage our communities in safeguarding Shropshire’s wildlife for the future.”

Dr Megan Lewis, a Postdoctoral Research Associate from ÎÞÂ붯»­ who is working on the Green Box project, said: “We are confident the quality of the data we are gathering will help support conservation planning, inform policy decisions, and contribute to national biodiversity databases.

“We are looking forward to share our results with conservationists and the wider public.”

And Emily Burdon, for the National Trust, added: “The Green Box Project not only enhances our ability to monitor environmental and ecological changes but also fosters community engagement in conservation efforts.

“The results will be of interest to our visitors as well as our volunteers who help care for and maintain the site.

“We are excited to see the detailed results from Attingham and being able to link those to our nature recovery project.”

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.