Recent breeding success records submitted to the SMP include some for Shags. I think this lot are quite cute, but maybe I'm biased. What do you think?! As always, don't forget to submit your data to the SMP #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

20 of the 25 core SMP species now have data submissions for 2026! Here's how things are looking for species with more than 10 submissions so far. Since our last update, Fulmar has overtaken Black Guillemot to claim the top spot! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

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

There was quite a difference between the number of colony count and breeding success submissions for Great Black-backed Gulls in 2025. If you're recording their breeding abundance, please also record breeding success where possible! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Happy #WorldSeabirdDay! We look forward to seeing all the data our SMP participants collect on seabirds later in the season #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

It's been a record-breaking year for little terns at Long Nanny, Northumberland! A minimum of 126 breeding pairs are nesting at the site this season, far surpassing the previous record of 57 breeding pairs in 1994. They're the UK’s second rarest breeding seabird so this is good news.

The first 2026 Breeding Success records have been submitted to SMP! These include positive records for Common Tern and Black-headed Gull. We look forward to seeing more records as the season advances. Don't forget to submit yours! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

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

It's Insect Week! Though we might normally think of seabirds feeding on fish and crustaceans, many species, like these gulls, feed on insects too. How many times have you seen gulls following a tractor, or terns hawking insects? #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Join us in celebrating Wold Seabird Day on Friday, 3rd July 2026 at Trevose Head. Event is Free. Everyone is welcome to attend. Booking is essential. To book, please contact Rowena via email: [email protected]. ​No dogs please. #WorldSeabirdDay #ConnectWithNature #CornwallBirds

With the 2024 SMP Annual Report showing a 93% decline in breeding abundance since 1986 and a per-pair productivity of just 0.03 in 2024, it's great to see some positive Arctic Skua news. Best of luck to the pairs on St Kilda! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Cute right? But did you know that Fulmars have a distasteful defence mechanism? The ability to spit a quite repulsive, pungent stomach oil at intruders... Effective. Still cute? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Big gains for little terns: how Lindisfarne reserve is helping a rare bird survive tourism

My contribution to #WorldSaltmarshDay A harsh, changeable, vulnerable, scarce and declining habitat. Here, the saltmarsh of a Medway island on a spring high tide. Our gulls and terns breed on a knife edge. Photo by @Bknight_3 @smp-seabirds.bsky.social

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

Happy World Oceans Day! Here is the extent of the world's oceans used by just a few of the seabird species covered by the SMP. Their importance is undeniable #WorldOceansDay #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

2026 marks the 40th Anniversary of the SMP! To celebrate, we'd like to hear your stories and memories, and see any photos of seabird monitoring over the past four decades. If you have something to share, email us at [email protected] #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

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 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

Out on Medway, doing Redshank survey. Landed on Nor Marsh (with permission) where nesting B/H Gulls. A check of other islands produced 390 Med Gulls & 170 Sandwich Terns😊 The latter in new nesting area following abandonment of usual beach. So Kent’s only colony survives!?🙏 @smp-seabirds.bsky.social

Puffin chicks have hatched on the Isle of May!! The blog has the story… isleofmaynnr.wordpress.com

(1/) Last but not least, we cover Northern Ireland for two up, two down. One of the most significant increases has been Blackcap. This warbler species increased by 725% across the country 1997-2024. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social @bto-ni.bsky.social #Ornithology

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

The recommended SMP colony count period for gulls starts today. Don't forget this includes Kittiwakes! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The recommended SMP colony count period for terns is here! As per the instructions of the Sandwich Tern below: Get surveying! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Friday, May 15th, is the start of the recommended SMP colony count period for terns. If you're ready for a raucous of noise, get ready to visit your local inland or coastal colony. Don't forget to submit your counts to the SMP! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

No species is more fitting than Arctic Terns for World Migratory Bird Day; covering up to 90,000km a year! Help us understand seabird arrival and movement in the UK by submitting sightings to BirdTrack: www.bto.org/get-involved... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

A record number of Puffin has been recorded on Skomer Island for the second consecutive year:

Seabird young are on their way! Making repeat visits to mapped nests is one method to record breeding success in SMP. Find out about more about this and other methods in the Seabird Monitoring Handbook: www.bto.org/sites/defaul... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

It's time to get out surveying! The recommended colony count period for Puffins starts today and tomorrow for Cormorants! We look forward to seeing your data submissions to the SMP! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

A reminder that the recommended colony count survey period for Black Guillemots ends on May 1st. If you haven't managed to survey your sites yet, please do still submit counts you complete that fall outside this period to the SMP! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The colony count period for Cormorants starts soon! Apparently Occupied Nests (AON) can be recorded at coastal and inland colonies for SMP. Please also submit tree nesting Cormorant records to the Heronries Census: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Not had a chance to read the 2024 SMP Report yet? We've compiled some key points on Puffins in the thread below ⬇️ ready for the start of their recommended colony count period! Read the full report here: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

1/ Discover key findings from the 2025 Northern Ireland Seabird Report. ⬇️ @bto-ni.bsky.social #Ornithology #Seabirds

An Earth Day reminder that there is still plenty of time to participate in the SMP and contribute data to the conservation of species that call the UK home, be it year-round or whilst breeding: www.bto.org/get-involved... #earthday #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

(1/) The latest results from the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey make for interesting reading! Greylag Goose, whose population has been supplemented by introductions in recent years, continues to increase along linear waterways. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

Puffin colony count surveys are recommended from April 30th. Multiple survey methods and recording units can be used to monitor them. Take a look at the graphic below to visualise the different units! ⬇️ #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

At a glance, Cormorants might seem drab, but closer inspection reveals some incredible plumage and facial features! Learn more about them in the graphic below and by visiting their BTO BirdFacts page: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Perhaps our most familiar and charismatic auks, these bright-billed burrow nesters certainly catch the eye! Find out more about Puffins in the graphic below and by visiting their BTO BirdFacts page: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Some important SMP dates are approaching! Soon, the recommended colony count period for Puffins and Cormorants starts. Keep an eye out for more posts over the next couple of weeks looking at these species and their survey methods! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Here are the answers to the tern test... How many did you get right, and did you spot the out-of-place Caspian Tern?! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

1/ The 2025 BBS Report is out now! It was a record year for volunteers taking part, with 2,800+ visiting 4,058 survey squares across the UK, Channel Islands & Isle of Man. A huge thank you to our volunteers! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

With spring comes the return of Britain and Ireland's breeding terns. Do you know their ID features well enough to know who's who of our five breeding terns below, and who's quite out of place?! Results later in the week. #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Black Guillemot survey season is here! The best time to survey them is from first light to 9 am throughout April. To find out more and take part, head to: www.bto.org/get-involved... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The Northern Ireland Seabird Report Launch is now LIVE! Stay tuned for exciting #seabird talks as we celebrate the efforts of our incredible volunteers, researchers and organisations! #Ornithology

The 2025 Northern Ireland Seabird Report has now been published! Head to: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... to read about how Northern Ireland's breeding seabirds fared in 2025 #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @bto-ni.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The 2024 SMP Report shows a decline in UK breeding Shags. Winter storms can cause mass deaths. Report any dead birds to: Eng/Wal/Scot: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep... NI: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae... ROI: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social

We’re pleased to announce the release of the 2024 Seabird Monitoring Programme report, in partnership with JNCC, in association with the RSPB. Click here to read the report: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... Read on for key findings ⬇️ #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Despite their similar names, these two species are quite different! Did you know they use different breeding habitats, with Guillemots using cliff faces and Black Guillemots using rocky islets, harbours, and similar features? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

How much do you know about Auks that breed in the UK? Add any additional facts that you know about Puffins and Razorbills in the comments below! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social