📖 Published📖 Between-species contagion drives HPAI transmission and mass mortality in seabirds 🦠 'This study demonstrates that carcass data can provide epidemiological insights but also act as an early warning system for continent-wide patterns of spread'🕊️ 👇️ buff.ly/Zo6d8WH

A great day for surveying Large Heath butterflies at Forsinard Flows! Fantastic to see so many in this restoration area with @rob-hughes-birder.bsky.social #ForestToBog @savebutterflies.bsky.social

New paper! We simulated foraging trips of Northern gannets at Bass Rock to decipher what information individuals use to keep returning to the same foraging patches. Memory was the strongest driver, but it wasn't the whole story. 🧵👇 doi.org/10.1186/s404... 1/5

Two weeks left to submit your abstract to the BOU Avian Disease Ecology conference. Attendance grants are available (see BOU funding opportunities). We have an amazing keynote lineup for you! Please share 😁

The influx of Quail has continued strongly over the last month. The latest weekly reporting rate of 2% is the highest recorded since BirdTrack began in 2004! #ukbirding

Worrying results from the 2025 national Dotterel survey, with a decline of 73% since the last survey in 2011, and 89% since the late 80s www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... #ornithology #birds

NEW PAPER: Sable Shearwaters are long-lived migratory #seabirds that spend much of their lives at sea. Across their life cycle, they experience very different physiological demands. Read the paper (free) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

BB 2000 Ltd is seeking two voluntary board members: a Treasurer and an HR specialist. ~1–2 hrs/week. Interest in birding desirable. For more information and contact details, see: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti... 📸 David Tipling

Can you monitor Black Guillemot breeding success?! Only two breeding success records were submitted to SMP in the past two years. If you can monitor their productivity, or need a hand submitting your data, email us at [email protected]! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Rarity finders: Trumpeter Finch on Fair Isle Luke Marriner recounts the unforgettable discovery of Shetland's first-ever Trumpeter Finch, found during an afternoon family walk at the height of the island's seabird season:

We’ll be at @globalbirdfair.bsky.social next weekend, Swallow Marquee, stand 14. Come and find us for our new merchandise and a special offer on the new Birds of Fair Isle book!

Two of the world’s largest Gannet colonies may not recover from the impact of bird flu until 2041 at the earliest, study finds Read a summary: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... Full paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2026.111887 #seabirds #hpai 🪶 🧪

🔈 APPLICATIONS OPEN... ...for BOU Small Research Grants & Career Development Bursaries Application deadline: 30 Oct 2026 Full details via links ⬇️ Grants: bou.org.uk/funding/s... Bursaries: bou.org.uk/funding/c... #ornithology 🪶

This study was made possible by long-term monitoring. These long-term datasets are vital for understanding how events like an HPAI outbreak affect seabird populations - not just immediately, but over decades. 🐦📈📉 #avianflu #seabirds

How do fulmars respond to drones: #seabirds 🌍🧪

A new report shows climate change is already impacting UK bird populations. Upland birds & seabirds face steep declines in their numbers underlining the need for action, while some southern species are expanding their ranges. Find out more: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... @btobirds.bsky.social 🪶

The June Ranger Blog is available to read now over at www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/ranger_blog.... to catch up on what Ranger Carla has been up to this past month!

Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Nybster this morning. Just the second I’ve seen in Caithness.

Pleased to announce new 2025 Impact Factor for #BirdStudy = 1.3, ranking 9/29 in #Ornithology, Q2. www.tandfonline.com/journals/tbi... A @btobirds.bsky.social society journal, we welcome papers on all aspects of ornithology, esp field studies, tracking & conservation in Western Palearctic & flyways.

The big news is our next International Conference will be held in Gdańsk, Poland in Sept 2027! With the lovely @kasiawojczulanis.bsky.social and team as the local hosts. It's going to be amazing! Watch for further news after the (northern) field season... #seabirds #ornithology #Seabirds2027

Our June 2026 newsletter has arrived in your inbox! 💌 We learn about the importance of @biosecuritylife.bsky.social and rescuing grounded shearwaters as well as celebrate 40-years of @smp-seabirds.bsky.social! Plus the usual Seabirder Spotlight, paper releases and some exciting news! 🗞️ #seabirds

This past weekend saw the grand opening of Obs 5 by Ann Cleeves, with a carefully planned programme of events and a whole host of past staff, directors, funders, supporters and friends present throughout. Kenny’s Bar also received its official opening, with the sign lit up for the first time.

Stay up to date with all things British Birds by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. - Updates from the Editorial team - Scarce and Rare bird sightings - Round-up of content Sign-up via: britishbirds.co.uk/email-signup

Happy to announce a postdoc position with me and Jakob Strand, to work on data from the revamped Danish beached bird survey organised by DOF BirdLife Denmark. How many seabirds end up on Danish beached, where do they come from, and why did they die? #seabirds ecos.au.dk/en/about-us/...

25 years, 4 colonies across the Arctic: satellite snowmelt data & nest monitoring show that earlier snowmelt advances hatching in little auks — but fitness consequences are mixed. Will earlier breeding help in future? 📝 paper: buff.ly/G49YbQW 🎙️ podcast: buff.ly/LPMOT9w 🧊 blog: buff.ly/lMPDKkD

Heading back south after an amazing long weekend @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social So good to be back, and so many highlights (people, seabirds, music, food)! 💙 #FairIsle 💙

Bonxie chicks are popping up all over the isle, as other species begin to fledge. A possible Red-footed Falcon was seen twice fleetingly on 18th but proved impossible to pin down, and the Bee-water was similarly elusive. Read more at www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sight... 📸 A Penn

Good news has emerged from Cairngorms National Park: Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus numbers have risen, according to the latest 2026 assessment. Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/news/good-ne... 📸 Mark Rayment

🔈 NOMINATIONS OPEN Know someone in #ornithology deserving of recognition? Nominate them for a BOU award now! 🪶 🥇 Godman Salvin Prize 🥇 Alfred Newton Lecture 🥇 Janet Kear Union Medal 🥇 Early Professional Award Deadline: 15 September 2026 Nominate: bou.org.uk/about-the...#ornithology 🪶

SOC has a long-standing commitment to encouraging young people to take part in Conference, recognising the valuable networking and learning opportunities it provides.Thanks to SOC Lothian Branch & an anonymous donor, 15 subsidised Conference places are available tinyurl.com/ykjh7s67 #birdingscotland

Dream job alert 🎉 Are you a talented videographer with a passion for nature? Join our team! Apply online ➡️ www.bto.org/jobs 📆 Full time. 📝 £33,954 per annum. 📍 Thetford, Norfolk (Hybrid). ⚠️ Application deadline: 5 July.

A Bee-eater touring the crofts yesterday was a highlight of recent days, as seabird monitoring gets underway and chicks start to appear across the isle. Catch up over at www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sight... 📸 A Penn

SOC Annual Conference, 3 Oct 2026, Musselburgh. Booking essential."Celebrating 90 Years of Scottish Birdwatcher's Contributions to Ornithology",explores the diverse ways birdwatchers contribute to Scottish ornithology, such as through ringing, recording, research, arts & birding tinyurl.com/bd6jvp9f

BB Eye: In our June issue, Clive Slater discusses the importance of recording hybridisation and focuses on the famous history of the ‘Paget’s Pochard’. Find out more here: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti... 🖋️ Clive Slater 📸 John Harris

We've received data submissions for 16 of the 25 core SMP species in 2026 so far. Currently, Black Guillemot, Fulmar, and Herring Gull form the top three. How long will Black Guillemot hold the top spot!? Don't forget to submit your data! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

NEW on #theBOUblog from Lillias August Reaching into another world: Watercolour painting at BOU 2026 Conference, ‘Birds and People’ bou.org.uk/blog-augu...#theBOUblog #ornithology 🪶

A foggy few days has prevented much movement of birds, with a couple of Rosefinch and Marsh Warbler remaining throughout, and one Crossbill lingering from the flock seen earlier in the week. Catch up on recent sightings here: www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sight... 📸 A Hall

Volunteers are at the heart of BTO. 🐦 We couldn't achieve what we do for birds, science & people without you. Thank you! Here's a snapshot of what some of our survey volunteers have achieved 🙌 From Regional Reps to BTO Youth, there's a variety of volunteer roles at BTO➡️ www.bto.org/volunteer

It's Volunteers' Week, so from the SMP team, we'd like to say a massive thanks to all of you who dedicate your time to the SMP. The data you collect plays a vital role in understanding how the UK's seabirds are faring! #seabirds #volunteers @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The latest British Birds is out now: separating 1CY Levant Sparrowhawk and Shikra, changes in the breeding birds of the Pumlumon uplands, a BB Eye on hybridisation, plus My Patch, notes, reviews and more. Read it here: 🔗 britishbirds.co.uk/journal/volu... 📸 Harry Scott 🎨 Alan Harris

⚠️ IMPORTANT ⚠️ A massive data centre, BIGGER than the village they want to build it next to, has been proposed in Fife. If you're in the area PLEASE file an objection to it, the damage it will do is unbearable to think about. aprs.scot/auchtertool-... 👇 More resources below👇

Red-backed Shrike at John O’Groats this morning. Glad I stopped as we nearly cycled past it #CaithnessBirds #PWC2026

The clear star of the past week was the Northern Parula which spent four days around Vaila’s Trees, giving many observers some great views. Other highlights include Rustic Bunting and Rosefinch. Catch up over at www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sight... 📸 L Marriner

The 2026 SMP Newsletter is here! Read it (and sign up to receive future editions) here: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... to find out about the SMP's 40th anniversary, latest developments, the science of seabird poo, and more! #birds #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The SMP is lacking breeding success data. In 2025, colony count data were submitted for 861 sites, but breeding success data were submitted for just 133 sites. If you can monitor seabird breeding success, email us at [email protected]! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Following interest in our Dec 2025 paper on Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and acoustic monitoring, we invited readers' questions to the experts britishbirds.co.uk/news/ask-exp... Thanks to Linda Smith and @LesserSpotNet.bsky.social 📸David Tipling

Images have power. How would you think about the heatwave if this image was of elderly people in a stuffy care home, roofers or builders sweating at work, or a hospital ward with nurses helping patients sip water?

For decades, researchers have measured #PlasticPollution by counting individual pieces. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story: internal damage caused by plastic (eg. inflammation) is largely invisible

Latest (early view) papers in #BirdStudy are available on the link below. Camera traps for Corncrakes Urban Coots and river disturbance Nightjars in storm-damaged forests Scottish Water Rail migration Diet of breeding Little Terns in Morocco www.tandfonline.com/action/showA... #ornithology