Special Feature:
HOW THE LITTLE EGRET BECAME A UK BREEDING SUCCESS
Little egret by Sarah Kelman / BTO
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Top Stories and Exciting Finds for Birders
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Top Stories: TRACKING THE ELUSIVE DUNLIN – BREEDING CONFIRMED IN NORTHERN ENGLAND
A pioneering survey led by the RSPB has confirmed that Dunlin – a rare and declining upland wading bird – are breeding across large areas of suitable habitat in the Cumbrian Pennines, part of the North Pennines National Landscape. The findings offer fresh hope for the species’ future in England.
For birdwatchers and conservationists alike, it provides vital new insight into where Dunlin are surviving — and what they need to thrive..
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For birdwatchers and conservationists alike, it provides vital new insight into where Dunlin are surviving — and what they need to thrive..
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Top Stories: SCOTLAND LEADS THE WAY AS SWIFT NESTING BRICKS BECOME LAW
Scotland has made history by becoming the first country in the UK to introduce swift nesting bricks into law, offering a lifeline to one of the nation’s most remarkable yet declining birds.
The Scottish Parliament passed the Natural Environment Bill this evening, a move described by RSPB Scotland as a potential turning point for wildlife conservation. For the first time, the Scottish Government will be required to set legally-binding nature targets, and swifts are now one step closer to having more safe nesting sites.
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The Scottish Parliament passed the Natural Environment Bill this evening, a move described by RSPB Scotland as a potential turning point for wildlife conservation. For the first time, the Scottish Government will be required to set legally-binding nature targets, and swifts are now one step closer to having more safe nesting sites.
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Top Stories: DISCOVER THE BIRDS YOU DON’T SEE - USING THE ZEISS SECACAM 1 FOR BIRDing
If you’re a birder, you’ll already know that some of the best action happens when we’re not watching — at dawn, dusk, or deep into the night.
The ZEISS Secacam 1 opens a window onto that hidden world, letting birders observe behaviour without disturbance, hides, or long hours of waiting.
James spent some hands-on time with the camera to see how it earns its place in a birder’s toolkit.
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The ZEISS Secacam 1 opens a window onto that hidden world, letting birders observe behaviour without disturbance, hides, or long hours of waiting.
James spent some hands-on time with the camera to see how it earns its place in a birder’s toolkit.
👓 Full story >>
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Latest GEAR REVIEWS
Here we bring you our opinion on the very best new equipment from the most respected brands for birders.
ZEISS
SFL 10x50 Binoculars
★★★★★★★★ 8/10
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swarovski optik
NL Pure 14x52 Binoculars
★★★★★★★★★★ 9.5/10
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wulf
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Latest news, Features & Events
The latest news, features and events from around the birding tribes.
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rEPORTS: New Study Shows Climate Change Is Starving Migratory Birds Before Their Long Flights
New research from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and Durham University highlights a worrying trend: many of our cherished migratory birds are struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
For species like the Swallow and the Willow Warbler, migration is a finely-tuned routine. These birds depend on good food and suitable habitat across continents — from Europe’s breeding grounds to Africa’s wintering sites — with each leg of the journey relying on precise timing. But the rhythm of those migrations is being disrupted.
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For species like the Swallow and the Willow Warbler, migration is a finely-tuned routine. These birds depend on good food and suitable habitat across continents — from Europe’s breeding grounds to Africa’s wintering sites — with each leg of the journey relying on precise timing. But the rhythm of those migrations is being disrupted.
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rEPORTS: Tracking Rare Birds in the UK - Hoopoes, Eagles, and Other Breeding Successes
A remarkable breeding season has been recorded for some of the UK’s rarest birds, according to the latest report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP).
From the welcome return of the Hoopoe to sobering declines in northern species, 2023 brought both inspiring recoveries and fresh conservation challenges.
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From the welcome return of the Hoopoe to sobering declines in northern species, 2023 brought both inspiring recoveries and fresh conservation challenges.
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migration: Tracking the Mysterious Journey of the Cuckoo - New Tech Sheds Light on a Troubling Decline
Once a familiar sound of springtime across the UK, the call of the Cuckoo is becoming alarmingly rare. Since 1995, we've lost more than a third of our breeding Cuckoos - and scientists are working urgently to uncover why.
At the heart of this effort is the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), whose researchers have spent over a decade closely tracking these remarkable birds. Since 2011, more than 130 Cuckoos from across the UK and Ireland have been fitted with satellite transmitters, allowing scientists to trace their awe-inspiring 16,000 km migratory journey to the Congo basin and back.
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At the heart of this effort is the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), whose researchers have spent over a decade closely tracking these remarkable birds. Since 2011, more than 130 Cuckoos from across the UK and Ireland have been fitted with satellite transmitters, allowing scientists to trace their awe-inspiring 16,000 km migratory journey to the Congo basin and back.
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nature Reserves: Record-breaking Oystercatchers found on England's East Coast
Conservationists are celebrating the remarkable discovery of two record-breaking Oystercatchers just weeks apart on England’s East Coast Wetlands. The sightings highlight the critical importance of these habitats for long-lived wading birds.
Volunteers from the Wash Wader Research Group (WWRG) identified the UK’s oldest known Oystercatcher - aged 41 years and 8 months - at RSPB Snettisham in Norfolk, surpassing the previous longevity record by three months.
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Volunteers from the Wash Wader Research Group (WWRG) identified the UK’s oldest known Oystercatcher - aged 41 years and 8 months - at RSPB Snettisham in Norfolk, surpassing the previous longevity record by three months.
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New Gear: ZEISS expands its SFL family of binoculars with the launch of 8x50, 10x50 and 12x50 models
ZEISS has introduced a new addition to its celebrated SFL (SmartFocus Lightweight) binocular range: the SFL 50. Designed with discerning nature lovers and serious birdwatchers in mind, this new series promises exceptional optical performance in a remarkably compact and lightweight form. The range includes 8x50, 10x50, and - for the first time - 12x50 models.
Through a refined optical design using slimmer lens elements and optimised spacing, ZEISS has produced a pair of binoculars that are both light and durable, thanks to a rugged magnesium housing.
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Through a refined optical design using slimmer lens elements and optimised spacing, ZEISS has produced a pair of binoculars that are both light and durable, thanks to a rugged magnesium housing.
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extinct: Scientists confirm the heartbreaking news of the extinction of a bird species from mainland Europe and the Mediterranean
Scientists have published an objective analysis that indicates the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, a migratory shorebird that bred in western Siberia and wintered in the Mediterranean.
This marks the first known extinction of a bird species from mainland Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Extensive efforts have been made for decades to find evidence of the Slender-billed Curlew across its breeding and non-breeding ranges, but all have proven unsuccessful.
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This marks the first known extinction of a bird species from mainland Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Extensive efforts have been made for decades to find evidence of the Slender-billed Curlew across its breeding and non-breeding ranges, but all have proven unsuccessful.
Full story >>
Garden Birdwatch: Spruce up your old nest box or choose a good-quality new one after a wet and wild winter!
Our gardens and green spaces serve as ideal habitats for numerous familiar and beloved birds and while some individuals may find suitable nesting sites in planted areas or around buildings, there is still a significant shortage of desirable nesting locations, particularly in urban and suburban environments.
The loss of appropriate habitat, alterations in land use, the adoption of “tidier” gardens with fake grass, plants and other factors have adversely affected many of the UK’s breeding bird populations.
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The loss of appropriate habitat, alterations in land use, the adoption of “tidier” gardens with fake grass, plants and other factors have adversely affected many of the UK’s breeding bird populations.
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Nature Reserves: RSPB Wallasea Island to be expanded, bringing a major habitat restoration boost for water birds
One hundred hectares of new habitat will be created at RSPB Wallasea Island Reserve in Rochford, Essex, to support rare and threatened wildlife.
RSPB Wallasea is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Crouch and Roach. During high tides in winter, it can accommodate over half of the estuary’s waterbirds. Eleven species are found in nationally significant numbers, while four species are hosted in internationally important numbers, including wading birds such as Grey Plover.
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RSPB Wallasea is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Crouch and Roach. During high tides in winter, it can accommodate over half of the estuary’s waterbirds. Eleven species are found in nationally significant numbers, while four species are hosted in internationally important numbers, including wading birds such as Grey Plover.
👓 Full story >>
HABITATS: Five seabird species added to the UK Red List of highest conservation concern
Scientists reviewing the conservation status of the UK’s breeding seabird populations have revealed that five species have been added to the Red list of greatest conservation concern.
The UK remains an internationally important place for breeding seabirds. Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands support the majority of the global populations of breeding Manx Shearwater (96%), Northern Gannet (70%) and Great Skua (64-67%).
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The UK remains an internationally important place for breeding seabirds. Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands support the majority of the global populations of breeding Manx Shearwater (96%), Northern Gannet (70%) and Great Skua (64-67%).
Full story >>
migration: TRACKING OF ARCTIC SKUA SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON EPIC MIGRATION
New research has shown how an endangered seabird, the Arctic Skua, is converging on specific stopping off points in the Atlantic Ocean while undertaking epic annual, migration journeys.
Migrating birds can face a wide range of challenges. Whether they are crossing seemingly endless deserts, flying over towering mountains or traversing vast open seas, these hardy globetrotters often need to navigate more than simply the landscape beneath them.
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Migrating birds can face a wide range of challenges. Whether they are crossing seemingly endless deserts, flying over towering mountains or traversing vast open seas, these hardy globetrotters often need to navigate more than simply the landscape beneath them.
Full story >>