Throughout January and February 2026, Otter Estuary Ranger, Rick Lockwood, and Community Engagement Ranger, Savannah Brownlow have been working with Seachange Onion Bereavement Group to deliver the first Beginner’s Bird ID course on the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve.
Over four weeks attendees were guided through practical bird ID covering core identification skills, including:
- Use and set-up binoculars
- Identify birds by their anatomy/key features
- Understand bird behaviours to support identification
- Recognise birds by both sight and sound
- Use field guides and identification books
- Use mobile phone applications to assist identification
During the course, attendees observed 48 different bird species, including Curlew, Kingfisher, Spoonbill, Cirl Bunting and Cetti’s Warbler.
Whilst this course was designed to support people wanting to improve their bird identification skills and learn more about the Otter Estuary, this course was also designed to enable attendees to find a new sense of connection and purpose and find happiness during the January blues.
Grief and loss can become more challenging for many people over the Christmas holidays and lead to the January blues, with many people finding it hard to reach out for support or find happiness during this time, leading to increasing isolation and declining mental health.
In Devon, it has been identified that one of the highest risk groups of loneliness and isolation are the recently bereaved, and the outdoors can provide a breathing space away from family or other pressures, and create a place where people can relax, feel free and relieve mental health stressors. Thus, with access to psychological therapies in Devon being low and mental health concerns being higher than national averages, nature reserves could be better utilised to help alleviate some of the wider health and wellbeing concerns in Devon.
With this in mind, the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust wanted to support this local bereavement group during this challenging time to shift their focus from pain to present-moment beauty, finding hope and continuity in the natural world.
One of the attendees said “I have been trying to rediscover my childhood love for birdwatching since my partner died but I have not been able to make a start until this wonderful course. Thank you.”
We’re thrilled to have supported this group through South West Optics and Opticron and their high quality binoculars for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, used throughout this course. Access to binoculars during this course ensured everyone had access to observe the 48 species seen throughout the course without barriers.
We look forward to getting out on the reserve again in May with the Onion bereavement group to continue building on their bird ID skills and their changes through the seasons.
If you are struggling with grief and loss and would like to learn more about the Onion Bereavement Group, click the link HERE for more information
This beginner’s bird ID course was made possible through the Pebblebeds For All project. Pebblebeds For All is made possible through support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Thanks to National Lottery Players
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