An innovative project which uses birdsong as a key to unlocking the secrets of wildlife has been launched in a collaboration between the UK Agri-Tech Centre and Chirrup.ai. Chirrup.ai launched the groundbreaking technology to make nature monitoring simpler and cheaper, making it an affordable solution for measuring and managing biodiversity. The project, ‘ChirrupNano’ is backed by Innovate UK and employs bioacoustic technology to reveal wildlife that often goes unnoticed in nature reserves or backyard bird counts.
At the heart of the project is Chirrup.ai’s next-generation bio-recorder: a sleek, self-locating device built in the UK. This compact tool can be deployed in sun and shade, in remote fields and in woodland – wherever it’s needed.
The ChirrupNano technology is already making waves with its ability to identify over 100 bird species native to Great Britain and Ireland. Thanks to partnerships with organisations like WWF, RSPB, BTO and The Wildlife Trusts, the system is being continually enhanced to recognise even more species critical to the UK’s ecosystems.
The accompanying Chirrup app empowers users to compare species lists with standard benchmarks and historical data and make informed decisions about sustainable land management through birdsong.
The result? Healthier ecosystems, greater plant diversity, improved soil quality and natural pest control—transforming how biodiversity is managed across the country.
A farmer-driven revolution
As part of its rollout, 100 farmers have been invited to participate in trials to refine ChirrupNano. These early adopters are not only shaping the future of this technology but are also helping to set new standards for environmental monitoring.
Hayley Gerry, Project Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said:
“The expanse of knowledge we can gain about biodiversity in an area using the bioacoustics of bird song is extremely impressive.
To enable sustainable farming, we need to encourage multi-species habitats to enrich the areas, which in turn makes the farming of livestock and arable products sustainable.
In order to do this, we need to be able to measure the baseline of the current situation, and that is where this project comes in.”
This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Stella Peace, Executive Director for Healthy Living and Agriculture at Innovate UK:
“These innovations are crucial for safeguarding our natural environment.
“By investing in these pioneering projects, we’re helping businesses unlock innovations that make life better, ensuring that the UK leads the way in developing sustainable solutions that benefit both our economy and our communities.”
With farmland covering 71% of the UK, farmers have a unique opportunity to lead the charge in environmental stewardship. By integrating ChirrupNano into their operations, they can adapt to evolving government and industry policies that prioritise wildlife-friendly farming.
What’s next?
The ChirrupNano project will undergo large-scale testing in spring 2025, with expert ornithologists and ecologists analysing its effectiveness. The UK Agri-Tech Centre will further explore how the findings can inform sustainable agricultural practices.
Chirrup.ai will host two events to showcase its findings and celebrate its success. Stay tuned!