The Maidstone RSPB Local Group are hosting this fantastic speaker this evening. Should be a great evening #kentbirding #kentnature #wildlifephotography #wildlife #photography #whatsoninkent #maidstone

A video is now available of the lecture I gave last week to the Linnean Society & British Ornithologists' Club in London, on woodland birds, Marsh Tits & Willow Tits (~45 mins): www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7HF... #ornithology #ukbirding @ukceh.bsky.social

This might also explain the slow and steady decline of common insects. I am sure they cannot avoid these pesticides either and low levels could disrupt behaviour or reduce survival rates www.theguardian.com/environment/...

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

Are you a student studying ecology or conservation? Do you lecture ecology or conservation? I created this playlist for you and hope it is useful. youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Early this morning #Whimbrel POTSKAR landed in Guinea, W Africa, after flying 7000+km from St-Petersburg, Russia. It took POTSKAR 5.5 days of NON-STOP flight, varying altitude from 10s of meters over the Baltic and the Med, to >5km over land. #ornithology www.globalflywaynetwork.org/tracks/speci...

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

Stay at Dungeness Bird Observatory! We have plenty of space in our dormitory accommodation this June, which can be an exciting month, with plenty of things to admire! Email on [email protected] to book. Price is £20 per night but is reduced to £15 for DBO Friends.

For my 100th Conservation Concept video I returned to Cley, and reflect on my history, my philosophy and how I wish to make a difference. Thanks to all for all the support. Am delighted by the interest. youtube.com/watch?v=KtWp...

An interesting spring at Elmley with it being so dry this year. Reels drying very quickly, but the floods are holding up well for the Avocets, Common Terns and gulls. The winners so far this spring appear to be Yellow Wagtail, Skylark, Corn Buntings, Pochard, Gadwall, and the herons.

Yesterday's news that a @washwader.bsky.social Oystercatcher had broken the @btobirds.bsky.social longevity record for a wader (now 43 years from ringing to latest capture) begs the question: "How long do other waders live for?" Answers here: wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/w... #ornithology

Since about a week GPS-tagged #Spoonbills and Black-tailed #Godwits of @globalflyway.bsky.social started making their way from Iberia back to The Netherlands. Get in on the action and follow birds in near real-time through the much improved www.globalflywaynetwork.org page. 👀 #ornithology

Still amazes me that this 11g Marsh Tit in my study is 10 years old, but when I was studying small rodents (Wood Mice, Bank Voles, Field Voles) that were more than double the size/mass, their maximum lifespan was ~2 years max. Why do small birds live so much longer than small mammals? Or vice versa?

Take note #UKbirding #Ornithology

Supplementary feeding is a threat to UK Hawfinch populations #Ornithology #UKBirding

Coquet Island Seabird Assistant Warden - RSPB - www.environmentjob.co.uk/jobs/104632-... Awesome job claxon! #RSPBEcology #seabirds #jobs

We're recruiting for a Little Tern Head Warden 📍 Kilnsea, East Yorkshire 🗓 1st May - 31st August 2025 💷 National Living Wage 🛌 Cheap accommodation 📅 Apply by: 24th Feb 2025 Read on for more info: https://buff.ly/3DYHLHT

Pet owners accidentally poisoning garden birds. Our latest research finds pet flea treatments (fipronil and imidacloprid) in 100% of blue tit and great tit nests, with nestling mortality higher in the more contaminated nest. @SongBirdSBS @SussexUni @CannelleTassin

The KOS is running a survey in 2025 to assess the status of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in Kent. Andre Farrar describes the details on the KOS website. kentos.org.uk/index.php/527-…#kentbirdingng

🐝 UK insect researchers, we need your input 🦋 The RES is gathering insights on your experiences with #InsectEthics applications. Whether you engage in the process or not, your feedback matters! 🗓️ Deadline: 1 April 2025 🔽 royensoc.co.uk/news/res-wel... #Entomology #ResearchSurvey

Even as the weather stayed cold and grey, there were still a few good birds to be found in Kent. Two Tundra Bean Geese on Sheppey from 21 January were the best of the bunch. For the full highlights see the KOS website. www.kentos.org.uk/index.php/si.... #kentbirding

Short eared #owl at Elmley NNR @rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social #birds

The Bearded Reedlings have been stars at Elmley this week, feeding within 4 metres of visiting birders. The Shorties are now up to 25 individuals, and 3 Hen Harriers continue to roam the reserve, surprising the lucky few or rewarding those who are willing to wait #kentbirding

🚨7 DAYS TO APPLY🚨 Do you love birds, conservation, and the outdoors? 🐦🌿 Be our Seasonal Assistant Warden at Spurn! 📍 Kilnsea, East Yorks 🗓 1st April - 15th Nov 2025 💷 £19,500-£23,809.50 (pro-rata) 📅 Apply by: 19th Jan 2025 Details: https://buff.ly/4gjCclB

For any #KentBirding bods still intrigued by breeding Med Gull foraging distances, have a look at these results (distance and times) And have a look at the green roof pic where nesting- might need some of these when the island colonies go under..

Here's an update on the mighty Pevensey Levels wetland restoration project. Bring on the wildlife! 📷 Bob Eade, Kai Hilton https://buff.ly/3Dise5B

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for following me. At Elmley I recorded 173 bird species in 2024, with highlights definitely being Smew, Wryneck, Pec Sandpiper, Richard’s Pipit, Red-backed Shrike, & Red-footed Falcon. Wishing you all the best for 2025! Happy Birding #kentbirding

Do you want to carry out fieldwork in Togo, West Africa? Are you a bird ringer who is available from Feb-May 2025? Then check out the (paid) field worker positions available here: cutt.ly/yeM807A9. The deadline for applications is January 13 2025. #ornithology

My #lowcarbonbirding friends may like to know both Kent's Yellow Warbler & Scops Owl are c15 mins walk from a railway station; Snodland (head south) for the first, Dumpton Park (head north) for the second to the footpath beside the cricket ground. Check KCCs footpath map for routes.

Some of the Eurasian Curlews released on Dartmoor have been tracked migrating to wintering grounds in Portugal and Spain:

🌟 WE’RE HIRING! 🌟 Passionate about birds, conservation, and the outdoors? 🐦🌿 Be our Seasonal Assistant Warden at Spurn! 📍 Kilnsea, East Yorks 🗓 1st April - 15th Nov 2025 💷 £19,500-£23,809.50 (pro-rata) 📅 Apply by: 19th Jan 2025 Details: https://buff.ly/4gjCclB

Data presented by NASA charting global average temperature change by month since 1880. Have a look down the bottom. We are at the beginning of profound change.

Job opportunities!

There's still time to apply to be our new Farmland Research Manager➡️ bto.org.uk/jobs #Ornithology

A Great Northern Diver was a nice surprise in the Swale this afternoon between Elmley and Conyer #kentbirding

Beautiful views of the 5 Snow Buntings on the beach just west of Minnis Bay this afternoon #kentbirding

Out now!🔊 The SMP Report provides an overview of the status of the UK’s breeding #seabirds since 1986. It further highlights declines as shown by the recent Seabirds Count, a census of Britain & Ireland’s seabirds. Read the report➡️ www.bto.org/smp-publications @rspb.bsky.social #Ornithology

The dry & cold weather this week encouraged shyer species out into the open, like Jack Snipe & Water Rail, showing well at times. The Bitterns, however, don’t need any encouragement & are seen daily along the self-drive section of the reserve all year. Voles, Eels, and Newts on the menu this week.

We are now accepting applications for the positions of Assistant Warden and Ranger for March-October 2025. For more information, visit our website fairislebirdobs.co.uk

WeBS highlights today was numbers & diversity of raptors. At least 4 Peregrines, 2 Merlins, a male & ring-tail Hen Harrier, several Short-eared Owls, amongst other species. Ended the day with over 130 Marsh Harriers into one of the roosts. Interesting to spot a Red Kite join them! #kentbirding

The RSPB visitor centre at Dungeness is closed this weekend 😢 but the Bird Observatory will be open with free tea/coffee ☕️ . Friends Membership also available, just £15. It includes access to 2 hides, discounted accommodation and a copy of the annual bird report. ✔️ Please pop in! ☕️ #KentBirding

At Elmley we are fortunate to have 3 pairs of Little Owls. Autumn is a tricky time of year to find them, as they choose to stay hidden rather than perching in the open. This one was tucked away at the top of an Oak.

Sun shining at Elmley today, and a corporate event at the Reserve. Lovely group and a 10-mile guided walking tour around the Reserve. Star bird was this Snow Bunting at Spitend. Male Hen Harrier, Merlin, and White-fronted Geese still present. #kentbirding

Cracking day at Elmley today… both Ospreys showed amazingly this afternoon, a Yellow-browed Warbler still present, a Firecrest in the car park, and ending the day with super views of one of our Long-eared Owls during a private dusk tour #kentbirding #ukbirding

Another great Saturday at Elmley. Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Ospreys, Hobby, Merlin, Short-eared Owls, ring-tail Hen Harrier, and we welcome our new Oxford Sand & Black’s to help with the Reserve management. #kentbirding

Birding at Stodmarsh today. At least 7 Great Egrets, 10 Cattle Egrets, 1 Green Sand, 2 Bitterns, 3 Hobby, 50+ House Martins, Bullfinches, Treecreeper, and Goldcrests the highlights of a good day. And stayed dry! #kentbirding

2 Ospreys still present in the western Swale between Murston, Milton Creek and Elmley. Easily 50+ Chiffchaffs around Elmley today, 6 Whinchats, and a couple of Redpoll over. No sign of yesterday’s Yellow-browed Warbler. #kentbirding