# The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 207619 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/207619)
- Website: https://www.rnbws.org.uk
- Latest income: £2,300; spending £6,500
- What it funds: Education / training, Animals, Environment / conservation / heritage
- Who it helps: Other charities or voluntary bodies, Other defined groups, The general public
- How it gives: Makes grants to individuals, Makes grants to organisations, Provides human resources, Provides advocacy / advice / information, Sponsors or undertakes research
- Area of operation: Portsmouth City, Portugal, Scotland, Gibraltar, Australia, Falkland Islands
- Other names: R N B W S (working)
- Trustees: 7
- Last verified: 2026-11-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/royal-naval-bird-watching-society

Established in 1946 RNBWS membership is open to all those interested in Birdwatching who share a common background - the sea itself. Membership (including Associate Members from overseas) averages 130: RN, Merchant Navies of several countries, the offshore oil, cruise passengers and yachtsmen. Activities included Field Trips, sponsorship of conservation, research and a sightings database.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 2025 | £2,300 | £6,500 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2024 | £2,300 | £6,500 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2023 | £2,233 | £5,000 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2022 | £7,208 | £7,894 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2021 | £6,447 | £7,445 | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> a. The promotion of bird watching in the Naval Service and Merchant Navy, especially bird watching at sea. b. To advance education by: 1) the promotion and administration of seabird recording, including the development and maintenance of a global seabird record database as a tool for ornithological science and conservation. This includes making the database available to researchers outside the Society. 2) the conduct of seabird research and conservation activities, including the support of activities by other agencies. 3) the production of the magazine ?Sea Swallow?.c. The promulgation of information received from members.

## What it funds

The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society is registered under the Charity Commission purposes education / training, animals and environment / conservation / heritage for other charities or voluntary bodies; the register records that it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations, provides human resources, provides advocacy / advice / information and sponsors or undertakes research. In its latest reported year The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society reported income of £2,300 and spending of £6,500. Over its last 5 reported years, to 31 Dec 2025, it spent £33.3k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as Portsmouth City, Portugal, Scotland, Gibraltar and Australia and 1 more area.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society in its sources (last checked 5 Nov 2026). Its website (rnbws.org.uk) may list programmes that are not yet open or are by invitation only. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 5 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as Portsmouth City, Portugal, Scotland, Gibraltar and Australia and 1 more area.

### Does The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society give grants to individuals?

Yes, according to the Charity Commission register, which records that The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society makes grants to individuals as well as to organisations. Check its own guidance for who qualifies.

### How much does The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society give each year?

The register does not break out The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 31 Dec 2025 was £6,500. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £6,668 a year.

### How large is The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society?

In its latest reported year The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society reported income of £2,300 and spending of £6,500.


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