A distinctively-patterned black and white wader with a long up-curved beak. It is the emblem of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and symbolises the bird protection movement in the UK more than any other species. Its return in the 1940s and subsequent increase in numbers represents one of the most successful conservation and protection projects.

The RSPB is a charitable organisation registered in England and Wales and in Scotland. The RSPB was formed to counter the barbarous trade in plumes for women's hats, a fashion responsible for the destruction of many thousands of egrets, birds of paradise and other species whose plumes had become fashionable in the late Victorian era.

The organisation started life as The Plumage League, founded by Emily Williamson at her home in Manchester in 1889. The group quickly gained popularity and, in 1891, Williamson joined forces with Eliza Phillips – head of the Fur and Feather League in Croydon – to form the Society for the Protection of Birds.

In its earliest days, the society consisted entirely of women and membership cost twopence.

The rules of the society were:

That Members shall discourage the wanton destruction of Birds, and interest themselves generally in their protection.

That Lady-Members shall refrain from wearing the feathers of any bird not killed for purposes of food, the ostrich only excepted.

More Info: www.rspb.org.uk