Birdwatch

03/08/2025

Spring clean

Mark Avery reflects on a year of columns and sees whether there has been much, if any, action on the issues he has discussed:

Mark Avery reflects on a year of columns between May 2024 and May 2025 and sees whether there has been much, if any, action on the issues he has discussed.

03/08/2025

Conservationists have been left stunned after confirming the nesting of Spoon-billed Sandpiper at a previously unknown location for the species:

Conservationists have been left stunned after a satellite-tagged Spoon-billed Sandpiper revealed a previously unknown breeding location for the species. The bird, known as 'K9', was first tracked to a mountainous area of the Russian Far East in June 2024, returning again there this summer. In July 2...

02/08/2025

An open letter from industry leaders and environmental charities is has urged the UK Government to get Biodiversity Net Gain back on track across England:

An open letter from industry leaders and environmental charities has been sent to the UK Government.

02/08/2025

Conservationists are trying to save rare Hawaiian birds from extinction through the use of drones and mosquitos:

In a race to protect several species of endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and members of the multi-agency Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) partnership have started using drones to combat deadly avian malaria, which is spread by non-native mosquitoes. This effort marks the...

01/08/2025

Patchwork Challenge 2025 update

Jacob Spinks provides a detailed summary of the happenings in this year's Patchwork Challenge across Britain:

Jacob Spinks provides a detailed summary of the happenings in the 2025 Patchwork Challenge, a friendly competition for British and Irish patch birders.

01/08/2025

Wardens and police have issued an urgent plea to dog owners after uncontrolled pets attacked a colony of Little Terns on the Norfolk coast, killing at least four chicks and endangering dozens more:

A colony of rare Little Terns on Norfolk's east coast has suffered after off-lead dogs attacked the birds, killing at least four chicks. The RSPB and Norfolk Police have issued urgent pleas to dog owners, warning of potential prosecution as the breeding season reaches its most critical stage.

31/07/2025

Tony Marr: 1939-2025

Keith Betton pays tribute to Tony Marr, a legendary figure of British birding who recently passed away:

Keith Betton pays tribute to Tony Marr, a legendary figure of British birding who recently passed away.

31/07/2025

The British Ornithologists' Club chairperson, Chris Storey, is retiring – and the club would like to hear from anyone interested in applying for the role:

The 132-year-old British Ornithologists' Club is currently inviting applications for the role of Chair. If you are passionate about birds, communication and community-building within ornithology, the BOC would be delighted to hear from you.

30/07/2025

Wonderful news! A pair of Montagu's Harrier has bred at a secret location in England this summer, the RSPB has announced:

A pair of Montagu's Harrier, Britain’s rarest breeding bird, have successfully raised four chicks at a secret site in England, the first UK nesting success since 2019. Monitored by the RSPB and a farmer, the rare birds' return offers hope for the species' future in Britain.

30/07/2025

Fact, fiction and The Peregrine

The media storm over The Salt Path and the truthfulness of non-fiction triggers memories of a similar debate in birding circles over The Peregrine for Conor Mark Jameson:

The media storm over The Salt Path and the truthfulness of non-fiction triggers memories of a similar debate in birding circles over The Peregrine for Conor Mark Jameson.

30/07/2025

The Birds of Needs Ore review

Whether you live in Hampshire or not, there is much to learn in this book, says Rob Hume: https://bit.ly/3UwhSEf

30/07/2025

Several satellite-tagged Common Cuckoos are already close to completing their southbound migrations:

Several satellite-tagged Common Cuckoos are already close to completing their southbound migrations. The birds, which have been tagged by BTO scientists to better inform conservationists of the annual life cycles of Britain's declining cuckoo population, are part of a long-running study into the spe...