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

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

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

Less than 2 days to submit your breeding seabird data now! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The Seabird Monitoring Programmes' breeding seabird data submission deadline is fast approaching - have you submitted your data!? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Time's ticking... Submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme now! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

That's right - you only have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Gannets go through quite the plumage change, being primarily black as juveniles and white as adults! Have a scroll through this thread to see how their plumage changes on the way to adulthood! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Species Focus 3: The Gannet - A striking species both by looks and aerial/aquatic ability, as elegant glides quickly become dramatic plunge-dives! Keep your eyes peeled for more on them in the week! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

(1/) Hi, I’m David, and I help to run the BBS social media channels. This #DyslexiaAwarenessWeek, I am sharing something about myself, rather than the usual BBS posts, in order to raise awareness of my mild learning difficulties.

This weekend is the October Core Count! Did you know that with WeBS beginning as the National Wildlife Counts, we are continuing a tradition of counting that began in 1947! Learn more about our history here▶️https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/wetland-bird-survey/about/history-webs

1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side! In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @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

🐏 Last week the BTO NI team and staff from the National Trust retrieved cameras monitoring a Cormorant colony on Sheep Island 📸 This footage will be vital for understanding coastal-breeding Cormorants, which lack consistent productivity data in Northern Ireland #seabirds #ConservationScience🌍

Yes, that's right! You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Herring Gull plumage varies vastly between hatching and becoming adults! Initially, they are leggy balls of black-speckled down, soon to embark on a shifting plumage journey! Discover their plumage changes in this thread ⬇️ #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Big thanks to all the SMP surveyors who contribute data to this long-term survey which feeds into the UK Seabird Indicator

SMP Species Focus 2: The Herring Gull - A raucous bunch who often draw negative attention to themselves via their poor mannered food pinching in urban settings! This week’s content will show that they’re much more than that! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Part two of our Guillemot focus! Some of their features can be challenging to see when they’re densely packed on ledges of sea cliffs, so here’s a closer look at some adaptations, biometrics, and plumage quirks! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Species Focus: The Guillemot - Noisy yet agile, they are a staple of many cliff faces around the UK and Ireland during the breeding season! More to come in the week on these splendid seabirds... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Varied plumages makes identifying gulls tricky! This graphic identifies key features to look for on some of our common species. More tips on small gull identification can be found in the latest SMP news: www.bto.org/smp-news #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

With the seabird breeding season ending, and many species returning to sea or their wintering grounds, it’s the perfect opportunity to submit your breeding data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! (deadline: end of October) #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Here is the answer to last week’s Commic Tern Quiz! Let us know how you did in the comments and get out spotting these aerial acrobats before they’re gone until next year! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

Last chance to apply! 📢 We're looking for a Seabird Monitoring Programme Organiser. For the full job role and to apply visit www.bto.org/jobs Deadline for applications is Monday 8 September. #Ornithology @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

Results are in for the Isle of May seabird breeding season. Fulmar breeding success was 41%. An average season with the long term mean at 40% @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social

Common & Arctic Terns are migrating south through the UK and Ireland right now! They are often lumped together as ‘Commic’ Terns. Use this graphic and tell us who’s who! Answer coming next Monday! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

Adult Roseate Tern and youngster on the Northumberland coast. Safe journey, and hopefully we'll see the adult next year and the youngster in a couple of years. @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social #seabirds #nebirding #birdsoftheworld

We are back on the Isle of May for the final bit of breeding season monitoring. Fulmar checks are now complete. We'll be sharing all the Isle breeding season results very soon. @smp-seabirds.bsky.social @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social

‘Adorable’, Fulmar chick still in the nest on the #Northumberlandcoast Be careful not to get too close, as you might just receive a shower you wouldn’t like. #seabirds @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social #nebirding

This Shag fledgling has all my Monday morning feels. #isleofmay #birdingscotland #seabirds

Come and join our top Surveys team!!

A great opportunity for a career involved in #Seabird monitoring with @btobirds.bsky.social! 🕊️🐦🐣🦅

📢Job alert! We’re looking for the next Seabird Monitoring Programme Organiser to join the BTO Surveys Team!🔭📈 ℹ️ For more information and to apply: www.bto.org/jobs 🗓️ Deadline for applications: 8th Sept 2025. #seabirds #citizenscience @btobirds.bsky.social, @jncc.bsky.social, @rspb.bsky.social

“Terning a Deaf Ear” Roseate Tern and youngster on the Northumberland coast. #nebirding #birds #seabirds @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social @ntbirdclub.bsky.social

“There is a season, tern, tern, tern” Roseate Tern on the Northumberland coast. @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social #seabirds #nebirding #birds #birdsoftheworld

"I must go down to the sea again" Soon to be back out into the wide, wild sea. Puffin on the Northumberland coast. #nebirding #birds #birdsoftheworld @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social

Another close encounter with a Common Tern on the Northumberland coast. #nebirding #birds #seabirds #birdsoftheworld @ntbirdclub.bsky.social @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social

“Old friends, old friends Sat on their park bench like bookends” Puffins on the Northumberland coast. Soon they’ll be leaving for their ‘oceanic’ winter quarters. #birds #nebirding #birdsoftheworld #seabirds @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social

Finally!!! One of the three great black-backed gull chicks I ringed last year on Horse Isle (Clyde) has been resighted & is doing well! It was spotted at the end of May in Ardglass Harbour. Another one was found dead on Islay after Storm Bert last year, so I'm very happy to see this record #seabirds

Waiting for the beach to be clear of the tide to do my @smp-seabirds.bsky.social gull productivity count... Reading emails that were composting in my Inbox... @cofnod.org.uk newsletter features Sea Slaters... a movement from the corner of my eye. A Sea Slater. First record between Conwy and Bangor!

A collection of pics from Anglesey last week for Super Seabird Sunday😊 #SuperSeabirdSunday @smp-seabirds.bsky.social

⚠️ Advance warning that this weekend certain areas of the BTO website will be unavailable. This includes 'My BTO', and event and membership registration. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We're pleased to say that the Common Tern pair on our Wheldrake Ings raft have once again reared three chicks to fledging – bringing the total now reared to over 30 since the rafts were first installed by the Friends of the #LDV in 2017 @yorkbirding.bsky.social

📢Job alert! We’ve got a great opportunity for a part-time Seabird Monitoring Support Officer to join the @btobirds.bsky.social Surveys Team!🔭📈 ℹ️ For more information and to apply: bto.org/jobs 🗓️ Deadline for applications: Thursday 24th July 2025. #Seabirds, @jncc.bsky.social, @rspb.bsky.social

The great news from #StKilda this #superseabirdsunday is that following a significant decline since 1999, our Kittiwake population is creeping ever closer back up to 4 figures this year, with 989 nests recorded last week! #NTSSeabirds @smp-seabirds.bsky.social

Please continue to report all sightings of dead birds for possible testing for avian influenza: 📌In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep... 📌In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae... 📌In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report

Food delivery-3 well grown Common Tern chicks, starting to exercise their wings. 1 female Cuckoo calling, from track above windmill, then Pool track. GWE on Pool with 11 Little E's. A Spotted Fly calling in poolside willows, near hide. Barn Owl hunting. @ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social

Gethin from @btocymru.bsky.social was recently interviewed about SMP & the Kittiwakes of Mumbles Pier for the upcoming show 'Nôl o'r Dibyn' - a four part series co-production between S4C & the European Broadcasting Union focusing on wildlife mitigation projects in urban areas. 📺Keep a look out!👀

Noticing #Seabirds Kittiwake City cliffs : Urban #Nature #NewcastleUponTyne

Delighted to have my Common Tern sketches in the latest issue of Seabird Monitoring Programme News. It's also full of Archie's on amazing science, conservatio and awesome seabirds. Also a recent sketch of one of this year's chicks 😊🐣 #Seabirds #SeabirdMonitoringProgramme #SuperSeabirdSunday