Birdwatch

08/11/2025

A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:

The number of sick, dying or dead birds being reported has been increasing in recent weeks, according to the British Trust for Ornithology, with Whooper Swans particularly affected.

08/11/2025

The most recent report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel celebrates the return of two long-absent breeding species and record totals for others, though some birds continue to decline:

The latest Rare Breeding Birds Panel report has revealed that, in 2023, Hoopoe and Temminck's Stint bred in the UK for the first time since the 1990s, alongside record totals for several expanding species. On the other hand, other rare breeders continued to decline.

08/11/2025

Buy the recently reviewed ‘Nature Needs You: The Fight to Save Our Swifts’ from the BirdGuides bookshop.

Get here: https://bit.ly/46p5pb2

07/11/2025

Birding on the box

Given the successes of previous productions, why do birds and birding not feature more in television? Jennifer Sizeland believes it's time for that to change:

Given the successes of previous productions, why do birds and birding not feature more in television? Jennifer Sizeland believes it's time for that to change.

07/11/2025

A Eurasian Penduline Tit that was ringed in Ireland in 2023 has recently been resighted in western France:

A Eurasian Penduline Tit that was ringed in Ireland in 2023 has recently been resighted in western France. The bird, a male, was one of three birds originally seen at The Gearagh, Co Cork, during January 2023 before later moving to Lough Beg on the shores of Cork Harbour in March, where they were tr...

06/11/2025

With thriving populations of other birds and large mammals, the reintroduction of three species of vulture to Romania's mountains is set to restore the country's lost biodiversity. David Campbell reports:

With thriving populations of other birds and large mammals, the reintroduction of three species of vulture to Romania's mountains is set to restore the country's lost biodiversity even further. David Campbell reports on what is being achieved in the Carpathian Mountains.

06/11/2025

A male Boat-tailed Grackle appeared in Hampshire on Sunday, marking the first record of the species in Britain:

A male Boat-tailed Grackle has been identified at Calshot Spit, Hampshire, marking the first record for Britain. Initially thought to be a Great-tailed Grackle, the bird's finer features confirmed its true identity. Its proximity to the Port of Southampton suggests a ship-assisted arrival, making th...

05/11/2025

At first glance, The Fens may appear a flat, endless patchwork of farmland. But this low-lying region hides some of Britain’s most dramatic winter birding spectacles, when the landscape transforms into a magnet for wildfowl, raptors and roosting flocks:

At first glance, The Fens may appear stark: a flat, seemingly endless patchwork of farmland stretching across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Suffolk. But this low-lying region hides some of Britain’s most dramatic winter birding spectacles. When the water returns to the washes and flood...

05/11/2025

A striking leucistic Iberian Lynx has been documented in Spain's Sierra Sur de Jaén, believed to be the first of its kind photographed in the wild:

A 'white' Iberian Lynx has been captured on camera in Spain's Jaén mountains. The pale-coated wildcat was captured on a camera trap by an amateur wildlife photographer.

05/11/2025

Want to get to grips with identifying European passerines in flight?

Today’s Book of the Day has you covered – available now from the BirdGuides bookshop with 20% off!

Buy here: https://bit.ly/4pqePvJ

04/11/2025

Uganda's only known nesting colony of the Critically Endangered Rüppell's Vulture is under mounting threat from human activities:

Uganda's only nesting colony of the Critically Endangered Rüppell's Vulture is facing destruction as charcoal burning, farming and hunting threaten Luku Central Forest Reserve in Arua District. The colony's breeding success has plummeted amid habitat loss and disturbance, with conservationists warn...

04/11/2025

Review of the Week: 27 October-2 November 2025

There were plenty of treats, including Siberian Rubythroat, Isabelline Shrike and two Oriental Turtle Doves, and a trick, in the form of a Boat-tailed Grackle. Miles Cluff reports:

Siberian Rubythroat, Isabelline Shrike, two Oriental Turtle Doves, and Boat-tailed Grackle provided the week's big talking points. Miles Cluff reports.