Established in 1946 to help and encourage members serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Mariners and the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), in the observation and study of birds at sea, the Royal Naval Birdwatching Society (RNBWS) has widened its membership to include all those interested in bird watching who share a common background - the sea itself.
Membership (including Associate Members from many countries overseas) averages 250, including many from the merchant navies of several countries, ocean weather ships, the offshore oil industry, passengers on cruise liners and yachtsmen. Reports received cover most sea areas of the world. The patron of the Royal Naval Birdwatching Society is His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh (who has visited Gough Island in the South Atlantic).
The RNBWS publishes its journal Sea Swallow each year, as well as a quarterly electronic newsletter.
Northern Royal Albatross at sea. Photograph by Aleks Terauds
John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 October 2012