Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the Winter Bird Survey on BBS squares across the UK over the last few months. We hope you have encountered a good variety of species. The survey season finishes at the end of this month, and please enter your data no later than 30 April. #Ornithology

With a wingspan up to 1.66 meters, Great Black-backed Gulls are the largest species of gull globally. They're also the most predatory, often eating crustaceans, fish, and birds. Head to the coast for the best chance of sightings! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

📢 CLOSING ON FRIDAY! BOU Committee nominations ➡️ Awards Nominations Committee ➡️ Engagement Committee ➡️ IBIS Management Committee ➡️ Meetings Committee ➡️ Records Committee Plus NEW Committee Shadowing Scheme Full details: bou.org.uk/about-the... #ornithology 🪶

⚠️ We've had reports of seabirds washing up. Please report ALL species of dead birds ⬇️ 📍 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

Our article, a birder’s guide to HPAI, was published today in @britishbirds.bsky.social - it’s open access this month. We explain how bird-flu infected seabirds in 2021/22 and the importance of citizen science to montoring future outbreaks in the wild. 🪶🧪 britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...

Using data from the International Swan Census, the Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme, and recent GPS-tracking, this paper examines the subset of the Iceland/UK & Ireland population that winters at the Ouse Washes britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...

Delighted to see this Sparrowhawk photo on the front cover of @britishbirds.bsky.social February 2026 issue. Photo taken at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen from the Fen Hide on the 2nd October 2025. Incredibly lucky to get an in-focus photo, as it sped past the hide on a hunting mission.

Britain’s first Western Olivaceous Warbler Iduna opaca was discovered on Whalsay, Shetland, on 20th October 2023. It remained on 21st October, when it was trapped and ringed.

Get a taste for British Birds in this month's Open Access paper: BB eye: A birder’s guide to High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...

Taking a dive into the wealth of data produced by users of @birdtrack.bsky.social and @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social eBird in Wales in 2025 for @birdsinwales.bsky.social Report. Number of users, records and time spent were up almost 20% on 2024. Thank you @btobirds.bsky.social for the data pack.

Details of three worthwhile surveys in S Shropshire. Two are suitable for anyone (all welcome!) but the Long Mynd Breeding Bird Survey needs good ID skills and fitness, as it involves coverage of steep upper valleys, largely on sheep tracks. More info: tinyurl.com/BTOShropshire #ShropshireBirds

Thank you for the rapid feedback on the colour-ring resighting. I love reading colour-rings and hearing about the fascinating movements.

If you find a dead bird, please report to Defra/Deara for possible collection and testing, and also to @birdtrack.bsky.social for monitoring purposes (really easy one the phone app). Note that records to BirdTrack don't feed through to Defra/Deara but really important to collect info for monitoring.

(1/) This week’s featured square is in Lincolnshire. Grey Partridge, Corn Bunting and Turtle Dove have all been recorded in it over the years! Other vacant squares are available. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science Lincs Birding #LincsBirding

Where would you rank the appearance of Black Guillemots amongst other UK seabirds? Their characteristic black, white, and scarlet features certainly catch the eye! More Black Guillemot facts in the post below ⬇️ #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Called in at WWT Martin Mere on the way home, first visit here. Jammed a Todd's Canada Goose with Pinks, found by Graham Clarkson. Ring-necked Duck, 27 Cattle Egret. Lots of ring reading! #LancsBirding #UKbirding

Nine Russian White-fronted Geese with 900 Pinks just west of Annan 54.985356,-3.281506 No sign of Cackling Goose on approach road to WWT Caerlaverock (mixed goose flock not present). 47 ring reads of Barnacles @dgbirdnews.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

Does anyone know of any Long-tailed Skuas resembling the North American race pallescens being seen in the North Sea/Shetland areas? Birds resembling this form seen in SW and Spain (+ tracking data down mid Atlantic), but issue is paler birds in N Euro breeding grounds #RareBirdsUK

Back to Caerlaverock area for some ring reading. Few more Barnie neck collars and rings but more tricky today. Thrilled to read 2 Whooper Swan rings at Bankend, one first time sighting in the UK. Ended the day at Brow Burn, with 2000+ Barnacle Geese in fields then into Solway to roost.

Cackling Goose with mixed Pinks/Barnacle flock in field off entrance track to WWT Caerlaverock 1400hrs, still present @dgbirdnews.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

Didn't expect to see my first butterfly of the year in Scotland. A Peacock at Crocketford in Dumfries & Galloway today @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

Visited Threave Nature Reserve this morning, lovely site. Flock of 87 Greenland White-fronts the highlight. Two 2cy birds (2 broods 1), four neck-collared birds. No joy with Willow Tit. @dgbirdnews.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

More exploring today. Hen Harrier ringtail, 1500 Barnacles at Crook of Baldoon, 6 Russian White-fronted Geese with Pinks north of Garlieston. Enjoyed Wigtown Bay, Garlieston and ended the day at Stranraer scanning the gulls. @dgbirdnews.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

A flock of 28 Rock Pipit on the approach road to Mull of Galloway lighthouse was the largest flock I've ever seen. 2 Greenshank at Ardwell @dgbirdnews.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

Perfect conditions at Loch Ryan this morning. Great birding including 383 Scaup, 45 Black Guillemot, 25 Red-throated Diver, 11 Slavs, 49 Rb Mergs, 120 P-b Brents, 2 L-t Duck, Greenshank, 2 GN Diver. 3 Pochard at Loch Connell #BirdingScotland @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Is anyone here familiar with West Freugh? Had a look a few times today, various times of day, for the Greenland White-fronts. Big area and lots of hiding places but would be useful to know we were looking in generally the right area. Any favoured spots? Drop me a DM. Thanks #BirdingScotland

First first to WWT Caerlaverock this morning. Shame it was closed but still 1000 Barnacles on entrance road. Haul of ring reads @kanebrides.bsky.social Dark-bellied Brent, European White-front in the flock #BirdingScotland

Final call for any 2025 bird records. Records can be submitted directly to [email protected] or preferably via Ebird or Birdtrack

Loving my 2025 @birdtrack.bsky.social stats. 100+ complete lists from birding-in-the-city patches in Leeds. My biggest day (43spp) was a long walk in the hills in the #YorkshireDales. Best bird on a Skye beach during a storm - happy days. For 2026 - aim for 5+ lists from more places. #ukbirding

Always enjoy getting these summaries of my @birdtrack.bsky.social year. Recorded more additional taxa last year and plan to add even more this year as well as adding more breeding evidence to my records.

Some great bird survey training opportunties availailable locally from BTO, and they are free! #birdingWales

Despite fewer submissions than 2024, managed 8 lifers in 2025, so I guess my birding was more 'efficient'. Resolutions for 2026: 1. Less pointless year list stamp collecting. 2. More useful birding for BTO surveys. 3. Much more moth trapping and general entomology! #UKbirding #birdingWales

Incredible contribution to birding, research and conservation, John!

Very cool

Our #birding year. #birdtrack

No surprise my @birdtrack.bsky.social stats show my most visited places were East Wretham Heath, my local patch and Welney, one of my favourite weekend destinations. Lots of birding in East Anglia, holidays in Cornwall and North Wales and a bit of birding on work trips elsewhere. #norfolkbirding

Always good to get my @birdtrack.bsky.social stats through for last year. Always room for improvement on my birding streak! Decent number of other taxa species recorded. Pleased to make my data available for research and conservation. #ukbirding #Norfolkbirding

1/3 - Would you like to contribute to an Ireland-wide Black Guillemot survey partnered between @bto-ni.bsky.social & @npwsireland.bsky.social this spring? If so, have a look through this thread to find out more! #seabirds #ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Just a reminder to report all dead birds - to Defra in England, Wales and Scotland for possible testing. Also add the record to BirdTrack if you can for monitoring purposes #ukbirding

A surprise adult Little Gull at Welney this afternoon from main obs. Just the main obs accessible at the moment due to high water level.25 Cranes, 10 Barnacle Geese amongst Pinks viewable from cafe. 203 Bewick's Swans on Station Road. #NorfolkBirding

Successful ring-reading Whooper Swans at Southery Fen this morning, though none in this lovely close flock. Counted 519 Whoopers and 67 Bewick's and also saw Lucy the tagged Bewick's out here. #NorfolkBirding

‘The New Birds of the Sheffield Area’ The proof copy back from the printers, before it went to the bookbinders 😍 sbsg.org gomerprinting.co.uk

⚠️ 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/) The wild song of Mistle Thrush can be heard in many parts of the UK at the moment. This hardy species even has a habit of delivering it during periods of poor weather. Listen to it here: youtu.be/QLT913D3qHw... @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science

This free @btocymru.bsky.social Breeding Bird Survey training session was ‘sold out’ but, due to popular demand we’ve just added another three places. If you’d like to join us, please book your place asap. www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

We're looking for an intern in our @bto-ni.bsky.social team to focus on Science and Engagement! Apply at www.bto.org/jobs 📆 Full time, Temporary (6 months) 📝 £25,888 per annum pro rata 📌 Deadline for applications: Sunday 15 February

'The New Birds of the Sheffield Area' Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project. Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!

Manx Shearwaters winter in the South Atlantic Ocean, predominantly off Brazil and Argentina. These birds begin returning to oceans surrounding the UK by late February, so start keeping an eye out for them 'shearing' over the sea! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

There are only 3 places left on our Breeding Bird Survey training session at Forest Farm . . . book your place now to avoid disappointment! More info here: www.bto.org/our-work/eve...