This week, we are sharing the most widespread species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024. They are all common and familiar species! Find out more about taking part in the survey here: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

Give the gift of nature this Christmas! 🎄🐦 With a BTO gift membership, your loved one can discover the curiosities of birds and their world with a full year of BTO membership, plus a book and a BTO beanie. 😀 Order today ➡️ www.bto.org/GiftMembership

New research from our Biosciences Department and @btobirds.bsky.social shows that hotter European summers are reducing migratory birds’ ability to fuel up for their long journeys. Read more: durham.ac.uk/news-events/... #DUresearch

(1/) What’s that coming bobbing along?! It’s a Common Sandpiper! This species, which does now winter in the UK in small numbers, declined by 21% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience

How are hotter☀️ European summers affecting migratory birds? Research by BTO & @Durham.ac.uk suggests that many birds are struggling to adapt to the effects of climate change. www.bto.org/our-work/sci... www.bto.org/our-work/new... #ornithology #climatechange 📷 Swallow by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

Did you know that the two Light-bellied Brent Goose populations – from Canada and Svalbard – largely winter on Strangford Lough and Lindisfarne respectively, while the birds wintering elsewhere in Britain come from the Russian Dark-bellied population? 📷 Philip Croft / BTO

If you're out doing your @webs-gsmp.bsky.social counts this weekend, remember to record & report any dead or sick birds you find (info in the link). Bird flu cases are rising. www.bto.org/our-work/new... 📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides #UKbirding

A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:

Autumn migration is coming to a close, so here's our final weekly Migration Blog for now. As always let us know what you spot when you're out and about, and don't forget to log your records on @birdtrack.bsky.social. www.bto.org/our-work/new... #UKbirding 📷 Iceland Gull, by Scott Mayson / BTO

Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising. 📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides #UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us in our new report with @nationaltrust.org.uk  @pettorelli.bsky.social

If you live in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight and would like to find out more about how you can get involved in the BTO’s work, join us for a FREE Zoom session on Wednesday 19 November. www.bto.org/our-work/eve... @hosbirding.bsky.social #UKbirding 📷 Flock of Wigeon, by Tom Cadwallendar / BTO

The BBS Team is currently busy verifying 2025 data. For the next couple of weeks, we are going to share some species info from 2024. This week, we share the 10 most numerous species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

If you’re thinking of a job in the outdoors, in science, wanting to make a difference then this one could be for you. For #GreenCareersWeek discover more about the amazing work experience placements offered by @btobirds.bsky.social c-js.uk/49ebCtk

How long do you think Wigeon can live for? 🤔⬇️ The longevity record for this species for Britain & Ireland is 34 years and 7 months! 😮 📷 John Harding / BTO

(1/) The distinctive Curlew, with its evocative, bubbling calls declined by 51% between 1995 and 2023 across the UK. This decline was particularly significant in Wales, where it declined by 76%. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

Join BTO Youth and the Essex Birdwatching Society for a brilliant and FREE bird ringing demonstration at Wat Tyler Country Park on 15 November. www.bto.org/our-work/eve... #ornithology #ukbirds 📷Robin by Alice Marlow / BTO (bird handled under licence)

The latest report from the RBBP, Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023, is out now in British Birds. It reports on the 104 species and races of rare breeding birds recording breeding, or showing signs of breeding, in 2023. Read the summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ornithology #ukbirds 🧵[1/15]

Quite a few of the seabirds covered by the SMP share similar features! We previously covered Shags and Cormorants, and today we're looking at distinguishing Mediterranean Gulls from Black-headed Gulls #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Last week to apply to be a BTO Youth Rep ➡️ bit.ly/YouthRep25 We're looking for volunteers aged 16-24 to share their passion for nature!🐦🌿Training and support are provided, and expenses will be paid. 📝 Closing date: Sunday 9th November 2025.

November is the peak month for wintering Woodcock arrivals. Unfortunately, Woodcock are prone to colliding with buildings during their noctural migration. If you find a dead or injured bird, please report it via the BirdTrack App, or email [email protected]. 📷 Woodcock by Liz Cutting / BTO

Always fascinating to see new @btobirds.bsky.social Ringing & Nest Recording report. Willow Tits at new low, no nestlings ringed at all, just 6 nests monitored. Ringed Marsh Tit halved from 2010. No Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers ringed in UK for 2nd yr running. www.bto.org/get-involved... #ornithology

Join BTO Youth and @bournemouthuni.bsky.social for this nature conference in Dorset! Secure a space ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work... Enjoy inspiring talks from Megan McCubbin, Paul Morton, Katiana Saleiko and Daisy Meadowcroft, browse stalls and speak to conservation mentors. @myabambrick.bsky.social

Here's this week's not-very-spooky BTO Migration Blog for Halloween. Let us know what species you spot when you're out and about this week! www.bto.org/our-work/new... Photo by Tom Cadwallender / BTO #ornithology #ukbirding

Remembering our much-missed former colleague Claire Boothby, whose brilliant paper with @batconservation.bsky.social has just been published.

Timely reminder for everyone to continue to report all dead birds that you find to the links below for possible testing. It's also really valuable to submit to @birdtrack.bsky.social for monitoring purposes too.

Today, October 31st, is the final day to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️ 📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/... 📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/... 📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv... #UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

(1/) After we covered Oystercatcher last week, this week, we share the BBS trend for the aerobatic and charismatic Lapwing. This species declined by 53% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience

The MCT Recently presented the Marsh Ornithology Awards in Partnership with @btobirds.bsky.social Three Awards were presented across different categories. The Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist was awarded to Ramandeep Nijjar

The BTO does very important scientific work, often out of sight of the public. They are well worth supporting! www.bto.org

Expand your knowledge with a BTO membership! We're here to support you with all the latest research, resources and training to help you develop your understanding of birds and the challenges they face. Join today to access exclusive member content ➡️ www.bto.org/support-... #Ornithology

Did you know the entire Icelandic and eastern Greenlandic population of Pink-footed Geese comes to Britain in winter? This makes these islands an internationally-important destination for more than a quarter of a million birds. 📷 Chris Knights / BTO

Ready to make a difference in the conservation sector? Join BTO as a Youth Rep and become a voice for UK birds and nature! Check out what our incredible Youth Reps have to say about their journeys so far! 😀 Find out more and apply by Sunday 9th November ➡️ bit.ly/YouthRep25

New @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog! ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/news/blog/migblog/24-oct-2025 Reports of winter thrushes continued to rise along with Brambling & Goldcrest. We’ve also seen a spike in Jack Snipe & more Short-eared & Long-eared Owls were recorded on the east coast. #Ornithology

Have you booked your place yet? Grab your ticket to our 2026 Annual Conference & join us for a full day of inspiring talks on a range of topics, from Nightjars and Curlews, to Blackbirds and seabirds. We'd love to see you there! 😀 #Ornithology Find out more and book ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work...#Ornithology

New Ecologist and Research Support roles for a project in Northern Ireland! @bto-ni.bsky.social Discover more and apply at www.bto.org/jobs These positions are supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). #Ornithology #Ecology

What a great evening celebrating our inspirational BTO and @marshawards.bsky.social winners last week! 🎉 A huge thank you to all of the award winners for their outstanding contribution to ornithology, nature and BTO! 🐦 📷 Anthony Sajdler Photography

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Heathland Birds Survey! 🙌 All remaining survey returns are urgently required, before 30th November, to inform future conservation action. If you need any help submitting your records please email [email protected]. Thank you!

Join us for the BTO South West Conference in Cornwall! Book a ticket ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work... The day is packed with talks from BTO and guest speakers, with plenty of breaks for catching up with other attendees. Light refreshments and lunch are included. #Ornithology

🪶 Join us for a day of bird talks, birdwatching, and socialising at the BTO NI Birdwatchers' Conference! 📍 1st Nov 2025 | Oxford Island, Co. Armagh 🎁 Enter the raffle for a chance to win a Sea Safari Trip among other exciting prizes! Book your ticket 👇 bit.ly/BTOConferenceNI25 #ornithology

New @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog! ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... Reports of winter thrushes are on the up, there’s been an increase in Yellow-browed Warblers after a below average autumn so far & records of Short-eared Owls arriving off the sea along the east coast of England. #Ornithology

This weekend marks the first Icelandic-breeding Goose Census (IGC) of the 2025/26 season, where #GSMP_UK counters count Pink-footed Geese and Icelandic Greylag Geese at their roosts. 💻Find out more: www.bto.org/gsmp #Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social

It's fantastic to see that Heather Coats has won the Jubilee Medal! Her time and effort surveying BBS square SN8003 since the survey began in 1994 is very much appreciated by the BBS Team at BTO Headquarters. You can find out how to get involved in BBS near you here: www.bto.org/get-involved...

Raman was one of our @opwall.bsky.social research assistants in Croatia a couple of years ago, and watching her impact as a young conservationist makes me so proud!!

An excellent tribute to the late Peter Partington at the Society of Wildlife Artists Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London. I was there for @btobirds.bsky.social Awards.

Congratulations to all the BTO Marsh Award recipients. Awards such as these are hugely important to recognise the individual and collective contributions made by many in our #UKbirding and #ornithology communities. It’s the people that make societies and organisations what they are.

This was a lovely surprise and honour, to receive the 2025 Marsh Award for Ornithology from the British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social, at this evening’s opening of the Society of Wildlife Artists’ annual exhibition.

Always delighted to be invited to the @btobirds.bsky.social Marsh Awards reception at the Society of Wildlife Artists Natural Eye exhibition. Great to catch up with everything the BTO Youth Advisory Panel has been up to too, having been an alumnus of the panel for the last year.

Congratulations to our award winners this evening, and thank you to everyone who attended to celebrate with them! Thank you also to the Society of Wildlife Artists for their generosity in allowing us to hold our award ceremony on the opening night of the Natural Eye exhibition at Mall Galleries!