It takes a huge effort to keep up with the demand for our nest boxes. Volunteer JT is holding the 1000th Swift box he’s made the last 2 yrs. There’s also a Spotted Flycatcher nest box in the corner, 1 of 30 going to suitable Suffolk habitats @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Great to see these universal S-Bricks going into new build homes this week, SOSSwifts plot these for builders. Nest boxes are great but they have a finite life span, these bricks will be there for the lifetime of the building for Swifts. @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Lovely walk at SWT Lackford Lakes today seeing my first Swifts, Garden Warbler, Common Tern, Cuckoo, and Hobbies of the year, plus great views of Little Ringed Plover and Crossbill. #SuffolkBirding

Suffolk Bird Group have this Landscape Recovery project talk on Thursday, SOSSwifts will be there at the back with nest boxes. Very happy to have a swift Swift chat during the break. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Nice couple of hours at SWT Redgrave & Lopham Fen this morning with plenty of spring migrants seen including this Grasshopper Warbler #SuffolkBirds

8 #Swift nest boxes and a 240V call system has been donated to The Duke of Marlborough pub in Somersham, #Suffolk for them to install there, adjacent to an existing colony. We know that adding Swift nesting space boosts their local population, a great opportunity here. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Swoop by if you’re free—we’d love to see you! 🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Zitting Cisticola at Walberswick showed 6 times in 70 minutes this morning viewing from beach; please do not walk out into marsh along raised bank (like this person), there is no guarantee you will see it (like this person)... #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

Another boot load of Swift nest boxes for Suffolk, one of these is the 900th JT has made for SOSSwifts. These are destined for Somersham, Ipswich and Melton. #SuffolkBirding @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Are you a skilled birder and want to help others to improve their skills? 🐦 Apply for our Training Officer role via www.bto.org/jobs The successful candidate will join the team at BTO HQ in Norfolk who deliver courses, both in person and online. Application deadline: Sunday 5 April. #Ornithology

Out scouting new spots for barn owl boxes today—what a cracking day! Met some brilliant, enthusiastic people and found some lovely sites. With luck, a few barn owls will soon be moving into their new homes… prime vole-view properties. 🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

3 Swift nest boxes have been donated to a location in Nayland where 2 boxes were used in 2025. Adding nest boxes to where they breed is an easy way to boost their population. Bonus latest edition of the Suffolk Bird Group quarterly Harrier magazine to read this evening @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

I love a local twitch. Found this morning, but waited till I’d cooked lunch for Mrs. Prof. 😇 A tricky individual, as it was not hanging out with Stonechats, on a Breckland heath. Only my 3rd local Dartford Warbler. Unfortunately these are always suppressed for togger related reasons.

Save Our #Suffolk Swifts have donated 6 Swift boxes to The Plough & Sail pub in Snape. Swifts nest already under the roof tiles in this area, their progeny will spread into this nest space over time boosting their local population. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

A lovely afternoon with the Melton WI talking all things barn owls and the work of BOSS. A brilliant audience, great questions… and of course the all-important WI cake selection! Thanks to @dave09.bsky.social for helping with the talk 🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Our beloved Barn Owl are gearing up for spring. Pairs are bonding, and yes… they’re giving our recently installed boxes the once-over (no pressure, lads). Males are out hunting to impress. Romance, owl-style 🦉 We’re keeping everything crossed for a good year ahead. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

3 Swift nest boxes and a call system have been donated to a suitable Woodbridge elevation close to where Swifts have been blocked out. The owner of the property being renovated declined our offer of free nest boxes as is their right. Nest sites here are not protected out of season, shame…

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.

New owl flat going up — luxury box edition, tucked inside a barn. Warm, dry, five-star. 🦉✨ @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Putting up owl boxes is brilliant – and we’re doing lots of that – but boxes alone aren’t enough. An owl box without good habitat is a bit like a house without a fridge… there’s nothing to eat! Rough grass, field margins and fewer poisons make all the difference 🦉🌾 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Another nest box made by our wonderful volunteer John and now up in place 🙌 Fingers crossed it’s just in time for owls to approve and move in this year 🦉🤞 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Huge thanks to our volunteer extraordinaire Duncan🦉🔨 A fab new landing shelf and a bit of box TLC means it’s officially back in business for another season. Owls approve. Very much so. 🦉✨ @duncanrford.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Suffolk Bird Group have these excellent talks next Thursday 29th, Save Our Suffolk Swifts will be there with nest boxes, we can have a swift Swift chat for guidance in a break. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Suffolk Bird Group indoor talk - "Hobbies and Stonies" by Ed Keeble. Thursday January 29th 19:30 at Hintlesham Community Hall. All welcome. Admission £3 #suffolkbirds

I'm in need of a new bridge camera. Don't suppose anyone has Canon SX70 tucked away in the cupboard they no longer use and looking to sell? Good working order. Thanks #birdinggear

The International Swan Census takes place this weekend, 17-18 January. If you record any Bewick's or Whooper Swans in BirdTrack, we would greatly appreciate if you could add details on the number of adults and juveniles, habitat and location pinpoint #ukbirding Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman / BTO

Delighted to be out helping Bentley Parish Council’s Barn Owls today! A brand new box up and their existing box repaired and cleared, all ready for the season ahead. Here’s to a great year for their Owls! 🦉 ✨ @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Last barn owl box of the year is officially up 🦉 Time to down tools, warm up, and start plotting next year’s boxes. Thanks for cheering us on all year — we’ll carry on as we mean to go on. Happy New Year! 🎊 🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

My Swarovski STS 65 HD scope, with 20-60 zoom is available, although lens caps missing. Comes with stay-on case (front lost its lower clip). Tripod available. Know any local young birders who may like it? - free of charge @landguardbo.bsky.social @landguardbirder.bsky.social @david-walsh.bsky.social

Great end to my birding year this afternoon watching at least 36 Red Kite come into a local roost, 30 of which flew around above the site for a good 10 minutes at sunset, also 7 Buzzard and 2 Woodcock seen #SuffolkBirding

I am looking at purchasing a new waterproof coat and am tempted by the Paramo Halcon or Halcon 360 but interested to know if anyone has any knowledge on if the Halcon 360 is worth the extra money? #birdinggear

Wishing you an owl-together wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year 🦉✨ Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported BOSS this year — we truly couldn’t do it without you. With heartfelt thanks from the whole team 🦉🎄 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Two Barn Owl boxes nearly ready for barns. Very nativity-core: wooden, cosy and built for new beginnings… just missing the owls. No wise men required. 🦉✨ @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

In JT’s right hand is his 800th Swift box he has made for Save Our Suffolk Swifts, a mightly effort. In his left hand is a Spotted Flycatcher box, his 1000th nest box for Suffolk. He’s also made Tawny/Little Owls, Nuthatch & Grey Wagtail too @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Fantastic to have the 2024 Suffolk Bird Report land in the door mat. Swifts obviously checked first. 379 nest boxes were used in 2024, up from 272 in 2023 and 231 in 2022. We are chasing up data for 2025, please do let us know your records. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Nice few hours around SWT Lackford Lakes today with 58 species seen. The best being a single Goldeneye, 40+ Pochard, a Great White Egret, 3 Redpoll, and about 150 Siskin #SuffolkBirds

Boss flew over to Brantham Brooklands Primary today for a whole-school assembly after the children raised funds for local barn owl boxes. The pupils were absolutely captivated — so full of questions and excitement. An absolute delight to share the owl magic! ✨🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

The last Save Our Suffolk Swifts talk of 2025 is next week in Ipswich Wednesday, 10 December, 7.30pm Museum Street Methodist Church, 17 Black Horse Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2EF Simon Hooton will reveal the incredible life and ecology of Suffolk's swifts @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

At it again… another barn owl box going up! 🦉💪 With habitat like this, who could resist giving the owls a new des-res? Huge thanks to our brilliant volunteers for keeping Suffolk’s owls in style. Here’s hoping the new tenants approve! 🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

As the weather cools, barn owls can save precious energy by hunting from perches. If you’ve got the land—and are lucky enough to have owls nearby—popping in a few posts can really help them this winter. A small boost for a magical bird! 🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

SUFFOLK BIRD GROUP November 27th Indoor Talk #SuffolkBirds

A rare break in the rain = one very content barn owl catching some rays! 🌤️🦉 We’re getting more sightings reported lately, which is a really positive sign. Thanks to everyone who shares their owl moments with us — please keep them coming! 💛 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Had a spare few hours today so headed to a very chilly SWT Lackford Lakes to see the drake Green-winged Teal that has been on the Slough for a few days, there were also a pair of Goldeneye on the Sailing Lake & at least 4 Crossbills beside Plover Lake plus lots of Siskin and Redwing #Suffolkbirding

Enjoyed a very pleasant @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social boat trip on the River Ore and Butley River on Sunday, was interesting to observe a good number of waders from the boat. Also before the trip I managed to see the North Warren shrike which was showing very well #Suffolkbirding

Isabelline (Daurian?) shrike North Warren RSPB, Suffolk, 17/11/2025 Showed well today. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #birds

Slightly off topic, apologies. Collected a car load of Redstart, Nuthatch, Spotted Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail nest boxes from our SBG volunteer. These are destined for suitable east Suffolk habitat; Southwold, Ufford, Woodbridge and up along the Deben and Ore. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Helpful farmer providing a lift-up for a barn owl box install — if only all our setups came with bonus levels this easy! 🦉🎮💪 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Another boot load of Swift nest boxes destined to help Suffolk’s Swifts, kindly made by our volunteer. These boxes are destined for Stowmarket, Aldeburgh and Bury St Edmunds. SOSSwifts provide free surveys & advice, Swift conservation works @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

We have a Save Our Suffolk Swift talk this Thursday 6th November at 7pm, Moreton Hall Community Centre Symonds Road, Bury St Edmunds IP32 7JH. All are most welcome to attend @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Three more beauties ready for action! 🦉 Handcrafted by one of our brilliant volunteers — these owl boxes are all set to head out and become des-res homes for some very lucky barn owls. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social