Greenfinch
Have you ever checked your Ring notifications expecting a package delivery, only to discover a feathered visitor instead? You're not alone! Hundreds of Ring customers across the UK have shared with us how they're using their outdoor Security Cameras for an unexpected purpose — birdwatching.
That's why we're excited to announce our collaboration with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to help protect our nation's beloved songbirds, many of which are experiencing concerning population declines.
Song Thrush
The Birds in Your Backyard
Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Pigeons, and even Owls are among the most common species captured on Ring Security Cameras. But while these familiar visitors continue to grace our gardens, other species aren't faring as well. According to the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch survey, Starlings have fallen to their lowest recorded levels, while garden favourites like the Song Thrush and Greenfinch have seen significant declines over the past 40 years.
Our recent study revealed that 60% of people regularly observe birds in their gardens, and 73% are aware of the concerning decline in certain species. What's exciting is that a new generation of birdwatchers is emerging — one in four under-35s plan to begin birdwatching this spring, with technology playing a key role in this growing interest.
“Birdwatching has always been more than just a hobby—it's a way to reconnect with nature, slow down, and find moments of calm in our busy lives,” says Dr. Mya-Rose Craig (Birdgirl), ornithologist and environmental activist. “It's great that Ring’s cameras make it easier for anyone—wherever they are—to stay connected to wildlife, even from indoors.”
Turn Your Ring Security Camera into a Birdwatching Tool
Want to join the movement? Here's how to optimise your Ring Security Camera for birdwatching:
- Position Your Security Camera Strategically – Aim it toward (or inside) bird feeders, bird baths, or natural perches where birds frequently visit
- Use Motion Alerts to Catch the Action – Enable motion detection to get notified whenever a bird stops by. You can adjust the motion sensitivity to avoid false alerts
- Use Night Vision to Spot Nocturnal Visitors – Enable night vision to spot owls and other night time visitors
- Use Smart Video Search – For Premium subscribers, type in the word ‘bird’ in the Ring app to filter through any footage of birds
- Check your Event History – Review footage regularly to spot feathered visitors you might have missed
Help Conservation Efforts from Your Home
The RSPB also recommends three simple actions to support bird conservation:
- Install bird-friendly habitats like nest boxes and feeding stations
- Keep gardens wildlife-friendly by planting native flora
- Report sightings of priority species like the Song Thrush and Greenfinch to organisations like the RSPB
If you capture footage of priority species -including Starlings, Song Thrushes, or Greenfinches- on your Ring device, share it through the Ring app's 'Share' feature. Selected footage may be used by RSPB researchers to track population movements and behaviours, contributing to vital conservation efforts.
"While Ring is best known for keeping neighbourhoods safe, we're always impressed by how our devices can also capture remarkable wildlife footage," says Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring. "We hope this collaboration with the RSPB will raise important awareness of declining bird species, while encouraging customers of all ages to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature from wherever they are."
To help Gen Z and Millennials remote birdwatch this spring, Ring is giving away 50 Ring devices* to capture footage of different bird species in the UK, including Starling, Song Thrush, and Greenfinch.
Selected applicants will receive a free Ring Outdoor Camera Battery from Ring. The devices are available to those between the ages of 18 and 35 (Gen Z and Millennials). Find out more in the link, here*.
*Terms and Conditions
To help Gen Z and Millennials remote birdwatching this spring, Ring is giving away 50 Ring devices* to offer the opportunity to capture different bird species in the UK, including Starling, Song Thrush, and Greenfinch.
Selected applicants will receive a free Ring Outdoor Camera Battery from Ring. The devices are available to those between the ages of 18 and 35 (Gen Z and Millennials).
We want to hear from you! Let us know (in 50 words or less) using the form here, tell us why you would like to receive a Ring device so you can remote birdwatch this spring.
Terms and Conditions:
- Hope&Glory PR is the promoter of this activity and can be contacted at ring@hopeandglorypr.com
- Application is open to UK residents only. Entrants must be between 18 and 35.
- Entrants must complete the submission form explaining why they want to receive a Ring device
- Applications will be reviewed by Ring’s PR team, Hope&Glory PR. The first 50 individuals who meet the entry requirements (as outlined in line 1, 2 and 3) will be selected.
- Applications will remain open until all prizes have been successfully delivered to the winners. If applicants fail to respond when notified of their prize within 7 days, another winner will be contacted.
- Applications close when the 50 devices have been successfully claimed in accordance with line 5
- Prize is one Ring Outdoor Camera Battery
- Following delivery, Ring and Hope & Glory PR are not responsible for the installation, operation, or maintenance of Ring cameras.
- Ring and Hope & Glory PR are not liable for the purchase of the Ring Protect Basic or Ring Protect Plus subscription plan. Subscriptions are at the responsibility of the recipient.
- Applicant names, contact details, and postcodes collected by Hope & Glory PR as the Data Controller, will be used by Hope & Glory PR (in accordance with its Privacy Policy) to review the applications and arrange for the prizes to be distributed to the winners. No data will be shared with third parties. All data will be held for a maximum of two months and then deleted once this time period has expired.