1/ Five leading charities forge partnership for bird conservation for the Bird Atlas 2027–31! 🐦 But what is the Bird Atlas? ⬇️🧵 #Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social

Spring-like yesterday with several Chiffchaff at RSPB Saltholme and Dormans Pool. At Cowpen Marsh:- 3 Buzzard 2 Marsh Harrier—a dark cream- crowned bird and older f-type with pale shoulders markings. Short Eared Owl—Cowpen Tip Cetti’s Warbler 2 Little Grebe @teesbirds.bsky.social

BB eye: A birder’s guide to High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) A clear, timely overview of bird flu, outbreak history, and how we monitor its impacts on wild bird populations. 📰 Open access until the end of February! 🔗 britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti... 📸 Common Crane, by David Tipling

Ruff, Water Pipit, Whooper Swan on Back Saltholme from Navigator. @teesbirds.bsky.social

Heard just my first singing 🎵 Chiffchaff of the year in trees by the railway line at Crossgate Moor, Durham City 😃. #NEbirding @teesbirds.bsky.social

Scaup imm male RSPB Saltholme main lake in front of cafe 10.05am @teesbirds.bsky.social

Russian White-fronts and Tundra Bean Geese still holding court at Boldon Flats this afternoon. The Beans eventually drifted off to the SE to forage nearby. Interesting (to me at least) how much more skittish they were around cars and passers-by. @durhambirdclub.bsky.social

Late afternoon jaunt to Seaham yesterday, the White-billed Diver was showing better than I had anticipated. Very glad I went, light was fading but you get the idea. That's at least 4 White-billed Divers in Durham within a week. @durhambirdclub.bsky.social

A few from the Durham Dales at the weekend. Black Grouse at sunrise, Golden Plover back on the moors and still a few Bramblings around Blackton beck 👍 #NEbirds #Ukbirds @durhambirdclub.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social

82 Russian Whitefronts off Cleadon Lane, Whitburn late a.m., then went E. 23-24 just S of Cleadon at about midday (initially seen arriving from the N over Whitburn). It's all go on the Whitefrontfront #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social

1/ We need you to make sure your local Greenspace is included on our map ready for the Birds in Greenspaces survey! ➡️ app.bto.org/birds-in... You can use the map to search for mapped greenspaces near you, suggest new sites and changes to existing ones if there's something we've missed!

A very nice record! Easterly winds and a proper winter weather on the continent might keep on pushing more birds over the North Sea. Also, interesting to see where the large Crane flock from Northumberland ends up as the latest observation today was them flying south…

@teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social 1 of the 3 Scaup, and 1 of the 3 Waxings at Bowesfield this afternoon

A few of the 59 Whitefronts at Hurworth Burn this afternoon also a single Barnacle goose,3 GWEs and a Marsh Harrier 👍 #NEbirds #Ukbirds @durhambirdclub.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social

All welcome to a talk ‘Urban Swifts’ by Alasdair McKee, arranged by RSBP Durham group at All Saints Church, Carr House Drive, Newton Hall, Durham, DH1 5LT, on Thursday 12th February at 7:30 pm.

Downloads for #BirdStudy papers in 2025 were 44% up on 2024, and 42% up on the previous 3-year average. Browse the 2025 Volume 72 below, including a HPAI special issue (1) and other wide-ranging #ornithology topics, including ~30% #OpenAccess papers. www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbis20/7...

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...

Change of Speaker for tomorrow evening’s meeting. Voyages with Viking by Chris Bielby in Stockton Library (TS18 1TU) Meeting starts at 7:30 pm room open from 7 pm for tea & coffee. Visitors are welcome. Note: Riverside Rd is closed see website @teesbirds.bsky.social @northyorksbirds.bsky.social

Discussion in the DBC WhatsApp group yesterday suggested that at least 166 sp have been observed in the recording area in January. No super rarities yet, but a good number of scarer winter geese makes a great start to the year!

✨ Vote for your favourite bird image! ✨ We need you to pick our new Birds in Greenspaces icon for our brand-new mobile phone app! Vote here ➡️ bit.ly/VoteBiGsIcon Will it be the Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Green Woodpecker or Chaffinch? 🤔 Voting closes on 15 February.

We work on multiple research projects to build the evidence base needed for future reporting on saltmarsh. These efforts are summarised on the UKCEH Saltmarsh GHG Inventory project area: www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/... 3/3 🧪

Absolutely brilliant flock of Tundras at Boldon Colliery this p.m. Bloomin' marvellous things. Nice one Pete! 😃 👍

Next local outing-NORTH GARE & SEATON SNOOK Sat. 7th February 26. Join Julie Mason & Chris Sharp for a walk. Looking for sea duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Grebes & Divers. At the Snook will look for Twite and poss. Snow Buntings. Meet 9.30 a.m in North Gare CP @teesbirds.bsky.social

Next Meeting-Petrels on thin ice-the past, present and future of the world's most southerly seabirds"? Mon 2 February in Stockton Library (TS18 1TU) Meeting starts at 7:30 pm room open from 7 pm for tea & coffee. Visitors are welcome. Note: Riverside Rd is closed see website @teesbirds.bsky.social

Bird Camps are back! 🙌 Apply for a FREE place now ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps If you’re a nature lover aged 11-17 (12-16 in Scotland) join us and fellow nature enthusiasts for a weekend of birding, exploring and nature-based activities. 🐦🦋 @scottishbirding.bsky.social

A few record shots taken in murky conditions of the four Tundra Bean Geese I found at Cowpen Bewley today. Nice to get in on the recent influx. The first in Cleveland since early January 2023! #NEbirding

Skerne Wood in Sedgefld - a tiny linear strip N of Sedgefld adj to Netpark. There’s 100s of these patches across the county, all supporting countless nos of birds, many red listed. In 2025 Skerne held 161 pairs breeding of 34 species - 2025 census report www.sedgefieldweb.co.uk/THE%202025%2...

A few Little Gulls in the County in recent days! In addition to Dave’s bird, there have been 2 near Sunderland Marina & single birds yesterday at South Shields and Hartlepool. One of the adult birds has returned to roost at Boldon Flats again this afternoon. #NEbirding

The Black-Throated Diver showed nicely the other day at Hartlepool marina in some good light. @teesbirds.bsky.social

The Youth in Nature Summit is back! 😀Book a FREE ticket➡️ bit.ly/YouthNatureSu... 📅 Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 February. 📍 David Attenborough Building, Cambridge. 📝 Tickets: Free! Organised by BTO Youth with Green Jobs for Nature. Supported by Opticron, Raptor Aid & private donors

Thanks to all continuing and new members who have paid this year’s subs! Membership benefits include, for example, our detailed annual bird report and our publication, The Lek. #NEbirding

A few of the Ring Ouzel at High Moorsley yesterday afternoon a great find for Derek C also 4 RL Partridges flushed from quarry 👍 #NEbirds #UKbirds @durhambirdclub.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social

An early 40 pink-footed geese migrating north over Old Cassop, Durham, this morning @durhambirdclub.bsky.social

A polite reminder to members that it's subscription renewal time. If you’ve enjoyed our posts this year, please do consider joining us. Membership supports county bird records, the Annual Report & conservation & planning work. www.durhambirdclub.org.uk/join-us

Bird of the Week: Robin Robins are in full voice now, defending winter territories. That soft song carries far on cold days. Have you noticed one following you or singing nearby? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #dbc #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Barn Owls are a quiet but regular presence across Durham’s rough grass margins and farmland. Seen one quartering a field at dusk this week? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #BarnOwl #WinterBirds #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Long-tailed Tits bring winter cheer as lively family flocks sweep through hedgerows & gardens. Heard their soft “tsee-tsee-tsee” calls yet? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #WinterBirds #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Grey Partridge Coveys are gathering now across the county, especially where there are good margins, stubbles and beetle banks. Heard that sharp “kerr-ick” or seen a covey slip along a hedgerow yet? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #DurhamBirdClub #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Teal are gathering again on Durham’s winter wetlands. Sites like Castle Lake and the Teesmouth marshes. Have you seen them in numbers yet? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #WinterBirds #Wildfowl #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Starlings are gathering over Durham’s lowland carrs, early signs of winter murmurations. Seen one forming yet? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #WinterBirds #Murmuration #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Listen for Pink-footed Geese over Durham – their wild “wink-wink” calls mark autumn skies. Heard them passing over yet? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Fieldfares are back across Durham, their “chack-chack-chack” calls marking winter’s arrival. Seen your first flock yet? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #Fieldfare #WinterBirds #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Redshank bring life to Durham’s wetlands with their bright legs & loud “teu-teu-teu” calls. (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham

Bird of the Week: Snipe often stay hidden in reeds till, with a sudden whirr, they burst from cover. Seen any at your local wetland this week? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #AutumnBirding #BirdMigration #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Are Goldcrests arriving in numbers after Storm Amy - fresh in from Scandinavia? Heard their high “see-see-see” calls yet? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #AutumnMigration #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Common Sandpipers bob along Durham’s rivers & reservoirs, their “wee-wee-wee” call sharp in flight. Have you seen one lately? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #birdmigration #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Wheatears are on the move across Durham’s coasts & uplands. Have you seen any of these bold little travellers pausing on passage? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #DBC #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #Migration #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Swallows are flocking across Durham, gathering on wires & reedbeds ahead of their long journey south. Where have you seen big gatherings? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #Birding #BirdwatchingUK

Bird of the Week: Greenshank – elegant waders on passage through Durham. Seen one yet among this week’s flurry of waders? (Photo: Mark Harper) #DBCAt50 #BirdOfTheWeek #CountyDurhamBirds #DurhamBirdClub #Durham #Waders #Birding #BirdwatchingUK