2025 ended with the biggest influx of European White-fronted Goose and Tundra Bean Goose for many years. Latest BirdTrack data show a big and sudden spike in the reporting rate in the last week of the year! #ukbirding

With colder temperatures and easterly winds we are starting to see some arrivals of White-fronted Geese and Tundra Bean Geese, as well as the smart Smew. Numbers of Smew wintering in the UK fell by 84% between 1996/97 and 2022/23 #ukbirding Smew, by Graham Catley / BTO

The new update to the BirdTrack app introduces several features aimed at helping us collect accurate bird data and alert you to those slip of the finger data entry errors #ukbirding

New @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... We take a look back at bird migration in November and what species you should look out for in December, including the Hume’s Warbler! #Ornithology

Excellent @britishbirds.bsky.social paper from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social et al. using passive acoustic monitoring. LS detected at >60% of sites in southern England, most of which had no recent records. Drums/calls very few over thousands of hours. Birders' chances of an encounter clearly very low!

NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...

While in Scotland this week, I lucked in on a small flock of Bohemian Waxwings in a stunning coastal location near Montrose. Any encounter with these Scandinavian wanderers is guaranteed to brighten your day. My 360th species in the British Isles this year. Pic: @lainy.bsky.social #ukbirding

Latest BirdTrack data show Woodcock arriving en masse over the the last fortnight. Sadly, Woodcock are prone to colliding with buildings while they migrate. If you find a dead Woodcock in these circumstances, please add the record to BirdTrack or email details to [email protected] #ukbirding

Sadly, we have seen a big increase in avian flu cases in the UK - particularly in waterfowl Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away Read on for ways to help: 📷Ben Andrew

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

Autumn migration is coming to a close, so here's our final weekly Migration Blog for now. As always let us know what you spot when you're out and about, and don't forget to log your records on @birdtrack.bsky.social. www.bto.org/our-work/new... #UKbirding 📷 Iceland Gull, by Scott Mayson / BTO

The latest report from the RBBP, Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023, is out now in British Birds. It reports on the 104 species and races of rare breeding birds recording breeding, or showing signs of breeding, in 2023. Read the summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ornithology #ukbirds 🧵[1/15]

November is the peak month for wintering Woodcock arrivals. Unfortunately, Woodcock are prone to colliding with buildings during their noctural migration. If you find a dead or injured bird, please report it via the BirdTrack App, or email [email protected]. 📷 Woodcock by Liz Cutting / BTO

In this week's Migration Blog we look at Little Auks, await the arrival of Woodcock and ask if this could be a Waxwing winter #ukbirding www.bto.org/our-work/new... Photo: Woodcock by Liz Cutting / BTO

The latest BTO Migration Blog looks at the cryptic Jack Snipe as it arrives in Britain for the winter, as well as more arrivals of winter thrushes, Yellow-browed Warblers and the latest rare vagrants #ukbirding www.bto.org/our-work/new... Photo credit: Jack Snipe by Allan Drewitt / BTO

Wow! It was looking like a poor year for Yellow-browed Warbler but that has changed in the last week with reports well above average for the time of year. Still some way to go beat the all time record week in Oct 2016, when it appeared on 8.5% of all complete lists Photo: Moss Taylor/BTO #ukbirding

New @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog! ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... Reports of winter thrushes are on the up, there’s been an increase in Yellow-browed Warblers after a below average autumn so far & records of Short-eared Owls arriving off the sea along the east coast of England. #Ornithology

Using #citizenscience data from eBird @cornellbirds.bsky.social and BirdTrack @birdtrack.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social, we explore what drives birders to initiate semi-structured surveys on these two large-scale citizen science platforms. The biggest factor: species rarity! ⤵️

Grab yourself a cup of tea, and sit back and enjoy this week's BTO Migration Blog. And then head out and let us know what you spot over the weekend! www.bto.org/our-work/new... 📷 Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman/BTO #UKBirding #ornithology @birdtrack.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

Read this week’s @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... Highlights include 260 Goldcrests at Spurn, Yorkshire on 26/09, three Red-breasted Flycatchers on Holy Island, Northumberland on 28/09 & 31,300 House Martins flying over Dorking, Surrey on 26/09.😮 #UKBirding

New @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... This week we look at reporting rate for Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Wigeon, and sightings of several eastern vagrants including a Pechora Pipit in County Durham! #Ornithology #UKBirding 📷 Brent Goose by Liz Cutting/BTO

It's Friday. It's autumn. It must be time for the latest installment of our BTO Migration Blog! Find out what species to expect, and let us know if our predictions are up to scratch. www.bto.org/our-work/new... 📷 Grey Phalarope by Neil Calbrade/BTO @birdtrack.bsky.social

It's one year today since we lost our dear friend and colleague, Steve Wing, Cape Clear Bird Observatory Wildlife Officer. In his memory, we are launching the Steve Wing Memorial Bursary, which will be open annually to aspiring ecologists/naturalists aged 18-25: birdwatchireland.ie/announcing-t...

This week's BTO Migration blog explores a recent arrival of drift migrants on the east coast, a record breaking influx of Glossy Ibis and what we might expect in the second half of September #ukbirding www.bto.org/our-work/new... Glossy Ibis by Philip Croft

Interesting to see very high numbers of Curlew Sandpipers in northern Scotland, while numbers in England are lower than average. Easterly winds across the northern North Sea have pushed birds to the Northern Isles and Outer Hebrides, while the opposite has happened further south #ukbirding

The largest flock of Glossy Ibis ever seen in #Wales heralded an unprecedented influx into Britain & Ireland. Plus other sightings from across #NorthWales, bookings open for the @birdsinwales.bsky.social Conference and finally my Swifts have left the building. www.birdnotes.wales/blog/swift-d...

This week's BTO Migration Blog explores the recent influx of seabirds, autumn waders, and what might be seen over the next week #ukbirding www.bto.org/our-work/new... Grey Phalarope, by Neil Calbrade

Last week saw a big increase in the BirdTrack reporting rate for Curlew Sandpipers - look out for a slightly larger wader with a peachy breast amongst flocks of Dunlin #ukbirding

I wrote this short note on birding with hearing aids and thought I’d post the link here in case of interest/relevance to some birders out there #birding #birdingScotland #birdingUK chatterstanes.wordpress.com/2025/09/01/b...

Last week saw an excellent arrival of juvenile Little Stints, with the BirdTrack reporting rate reaching 3% across Britain and Ireland as a whole. Records were most frequent on the east coast of England - in Lincolnshire it appeared on 22% of complete lists! #ukbirding

Apply to join BTO's Youth Advisory Panel👉 bit.ly/_YAPVolunteer If you're aged 16-24, passionate about nature and people’s engagement in the natural world, then this is your chance to have a positive impact. 📆 Applications close on Sunday 7 September. We look forward to hearing from everyone!

Easterly winds across the North Sea last week led to a small arrival of Pied Flycatchers along the east coast between Essex and Yorkshire and an uptick in the BirdTrack reporting rate. Reports usually peak in mid to late August but later influxes can occur in the right conditions #ukbirding

This autumn's first BTO Migration Blog looks at what we might expect in the second half of August, as the first wave of Pied Flycatchers arrives on the east coast #ukbirding www.bto.org/our-work/news/blog/migblog/14-aug-2025

The second half of August will see the peak period for autumn migration of Tree Pipit. Usually detected when calling in flight, they can occur across a range of habitats on migration #ukbirding

Nice pic from @tomcadwallender.bsky.social About 300 Green Sandpiper winter in the UK (BTO BirdFacts) but far more stop for a bit in autumn. Blog about tagging Green Sandpipers to study migration: wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/04/12/g... Old graph from @birdtrack.bsky.social #ornithology

2024 NE Wales Bird Report now available to download from @cofnod.org.uk Big thank you to all contributors. Majority of records via @birdtrack.bsky.social. @birdsinwales.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social

Research in the Cairngorms NP has shown that non-lethal predator management can significantly boost breeding success for Western Capercaillie:

Crossbills are not a typical seasonal migrant but are an irruptive species that move in response to the availability of food. This summer has seen a notable arrival of Crossbills into Britain and this was clearly reflected in the BirdTrack reporting rate in June and July #ukbirding

11 years, 1 month & 11 days is the longevity record for Swallow in Britain & Ireland! 😮 🪶 You can share your sightings with us by using @birdtrack.bsky.social at www.birdtrack.net 📷 Swallow by Philip Croft/BTO

Have you heard Swift screaming parties? ✋😀Our historical @birdtrack.bsky.social data shows in July we reach peak Swift records! Come August, birds will begin their migration to their non-breeding grounds in Africa. 🌍 📷 Swift by Graham Catley/BTO

First 'autumn' Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers are being reported in UK. Will the first (Siberian) Pectoral Sandpipers be far behind? Blog about autumn migration: wadertales.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/w... Graphs from 2023 - @birdtrack.bsky.social #ornithology

⚠️ 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.

Are you a young birder under 16? Enter the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder competition at Migfest at @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social! Enjoy this bird migration festival and be in with the chance of winning an award that celebrates young birders! Apply here: bit.ly/_MGSYB Migfest: www.spurnmigfest.com

📢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

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

Oooh, there’s a sound I haven’t heard for years. A Turtle Dove purring in a quiet corner of Cambridgeshire. Entered into @birdtrack.bsky.social with breeding evidence and pinpoint location to help @ukrbbp.bsky.social monitoring, of course!

🚨 Tickets are flying out! Don’t be the one watching MigFest 2025 on social media instead of at Spurn... 🎟️ Book now before it's too late: bit.ly/3T5Q9Ks