Hannah Bourne-Taylor: Champion of Swifts, Nature Memoirist, and Conservation Trailblazer
Hannah Bourne-Taylor is a remarkable British nature writer, bird conservationist, and campaigner whose work has gained national and international recognition. As the creator of The Feather Speech, a pioneering campaign dedicated to the protection of swifts and other red-listed cavity-nesting birds in the UK, Hannah’s passion transcends mere advocacy — it is a powerful call to action. Her compelling nature memoir Fledgling not only shares her intimate experience with wildlife but also sheds light on the urgent need for conservation in modern Britain.
This article explores the multifaceted life and work of Hannah Bourne-Taylor, highlighting her role as a swift campaigner, author, and conservationist. Additionally, we delve into details about her personal life, including her husband and age, and how her background as a model and student of fashion photography at the London College of Fashion has shaped her unique voice.
Who Is Hannah Bourne-Taylor?
Hannah Bourne-Taylor is a British author and bird conservationist best known for her dedication to protecting swifts and other cavity-nesting birds that face the threat of extinction. She is the founder and driving force behind The Feather Speech, a national campaign focused on ensuring that new developments across the UK include swift bricks—specialised nesting boxes that provide vital habitats for these birds.
Education and Early Life
Hannah graduated with First Class Honours in Fashion Photography from the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, in 2008. Her education provided her with a strong foundation in visual storytelling, which she skilfully uses in her writing and advocacy. Before fully dedicating herself to conservation, Hannah also worked as a model, a role that further refined her public presence and communication skills.
The Feather Speech Campaign: Saving Swifts and Cavity Nesters
Swifts are remarkable migratory birds that return to Britain every year, yet their numbers have been declining drastically. This decline is largely due to habitat loss, especially the disappearance of suitable nesting sites in modern buildings.
What Are Swifts?
Swifts (Apus apus) are small, aerial birds renowned for their speed and agility in flight. They spend the majority of their lives in the air, only landing to nest. Unfortunately, the loss of traditional nesting sites such as old buildings and eaves has put these birds at risk, resulting in their classification as a red-listed species by conservation authorities.
Hannah’s Role in Swift Conservation
Hannah Bourne-Taylor created The Feather Speech campaign to raise awareness and promote the installation of swift bricks in all new developments in the UK. Swift bricks are specially designed nesting spaces integrated into building walls, offering safe and accessible homes for swifts and other cavity-nesting birds like house martins, house sparrows, and starlings.
The campaign gained rapid momentum, garnering over 100,000 signatures on a petition that was subsequently debated in the UK Parliament in July 2024. Supported by leading scientists and sustainable building experts, The Feather Speech highlights a practical solution to a pressing environmental crisis.
Hannah’s innovative approach, including engaging protests and public education, has made her a leading voice in British bird conservation. For more information about this campaign and her ongoing work, visit her official website: https://hannahbournetaylor.com.
The Memoir: Fledgling — A Story of Nature, Identity, and Hope
In 2022, Hannah published her debut nature memoir Fledgling, which swiftly captured the hearts of readers and critics alike. The book was named a lead title for Aurum Press and received praise from The Observer as “intelligent, moving and poetic.”
About Fledgling
The memoir recounts Hannah’s experience rescuing and hand-raising an abandoned finch in rural Ghana. For 84 days, the fledgling finch nested in her hair and slept in her hand, a poignant and intimate relationship that challenged the perceived divide between humans and wild creatures. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the healing power of nature, all while highlighting broader environmental concerns.
Fledgling gained international attention through features on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live and BBC News, and its viral media coverage made Hannah a recognizable name in environmental circles.
Impact of the Memoir
Beyond the touching personal narrative, Fledgling serves as a metaphor for humanity’s responsibility to protect the natural world. Hannah’s story encourages readers to reflect on their relationship with wildlife and their role in conservation efforts.
Hannah Bourne-Taylor: The Person Behind the Campaign
Personal Life and Husband
Hannah Bourne-Taylor is married to Robin Bourne-Taylor, a former British Army officer and accomplished Olympic rower. Robin’s military service earned him the prestigious Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, and he is a three-time winner of the historic Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. The couple lives in north Oxfordshire with their two rescue dogs, Shoebill and Loon, both adopted from Ghana, reflecting their shared commitment to animal welfare.
Age and Background
Born in 1986, Hannah Bourne-Taylor is currently 38 years old (as of 2024). Her background in fashion photography and modelling adds an unusual but effective dimension to her conservation work, blending artistic creativity with scientific advocacy.
Hannah Bourne-Taylor’s Influence and Legacy
Hannah’s combination of heartfelt storytelling and determined activism has positioned her as a key figure in UK environmentalism. Her efforts have contributed significantly to raising public and political awareness of the plight of swifts and other endangered birds.
Trustee Role
In addition to The Feather Speech, Hannah serves as a trustee of the Farmland Bird Aid Network, a charity dedicated to halting the decline of twelve of the nineteen red-listed farmland birds in Britain. The organisation supports these species by providing supplementary feeding during the winter months when natural food is scarce.
Hannah Bourne-Taylor and Swifts: Why It Matters
The protection of swifts is not just about saving a single species; it is a vital indicator of the health of our natural environment. Swifts are excellent bioindicators, meaning their presence or absence reflects the overall condition of urban and rural ecosystems.
How Swift Conservation Benefits Biodiversity
Preserving swift habitats also supports a range of other wildlife. The installation of swift bricks in buildings encourages biodiversity within urban spaces, providing nesting opportunities for other cavity-nesting birds and insects.
The Broader Environmental Context
Hannah’s campaign underscores the urgency of integrating nature-friendly practices into everyday urban development, helping bridge the gap between environmental conservation and modern living.
How Hannah Bourne-Taylor’s Model and Photography Background Shaped Her Advocacy
Hannah’s early career as a model and her academic training in fashion photography have contributed to her skill in visual communication and public engagement. These experiences enable her to craft compelling narratives and use creative activism to capture public imagination.
Her unique approach includes innovative protest methods such as body painting and performance art, drawing attention to urgent conservation issues in ways that resonate beyond traditional environmental circles.
Conclusion
Hannah Bourne-Taylor exemplifies the powerful role that passionate individuals can play in environmental conservation. Through her campaign The Feather Speech, her evocative memoir Fledgling, and her broader advocacy work, she continues to inspire action for the protection of swifts and other endangered species.
Her story is a testament to how personal experiences with nature can fuel impactful campaigns that drive real-world change. By combining artistry, storytelling, and science, Hannah Bourne-Taylor’s work resonates deeply with the public and policymakers alike.
