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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
@btobirds.bsky.social
11K followers 400 following 960 posts
BTO is the UK's leading Registered Charity working with volunteers to improve our knowledge of birds through monitoring and research. www.bto.org
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btobirds.bsky.social
Did you know that the two Light-bellied Brent Goose populations – from Canada and Svalbard – largely winter on Strangford Lough and Lindisfarne respectively, while the birds wintering elsewhere in Britain come from the Russian Dark-bellied population?

📷 Philip Croft / BTO
A Brent Goose on saltmarsh with its head raised, while the head of another goose appears in the picture on the right hand side foraging.
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
If you're out doing your @webs-gsmp.bsky.social counts this weekend, remember to record & report any dead or sick birds you find (info in the link). Bird flu cases are rising.

www.bto.org/our-work/new...

📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides

#UKbirding
Dead Whooper Swan on the bank of a watercourse. Photo by Kane Brides.
November 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
birdguides.bsky.social
A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:
Whooper Swans hit hard as bird-flu outbreak worsens
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.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
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
Sub-adult Iceland Gull on a beach, by Scott Mayson / BTO.
November 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
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
Whooper Swan sick with bird flu in a field, photograph by Kane Brides
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
britishecologicalsociety.org
Time to rethink nature conservation?

Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us in our new report with @nationaltrust.org.uk 

@pettorelli.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
btobirds.bsky.social
If you live in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight and would like to find out more about how you can get involved in the BTO’s work, join us for a FREE Zoom session on Wednesday 19 November.

www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

@hosbirding.bsky.social

#UKbirding

📷 Flock of Wigeon, by Tom Cadwallendar / BTO
A flock of Wigeons feeding on the ground, by Tom Cadwallender / BTO
November 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bbs-birds.bsky.social
The BBS Team is currently busy verifying 2025 data. For the next couple of weeks, we are going to share some species info from 2024. This week, we share the 10 most numerous species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
A list of the most numerous species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024.
November 6, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
countrysidejobs.bsky.social
If you’re thinking of a job in the outdoors, in science, wanting to make a difference then this one could be for you. For #GreenCareersWeek discover more about the amazing work experience placements offered by @btobirds.bsky.social c-js.uk/49ebCtk
Two young men holding clipboards, standing in front of a lake. Text reads: Work experience for GCSE & A-Level students with BTO
November 6, 2025 at 10:31 AM
btobirds.bsky.social
How long do you think Wigeon can live for? 🤔⬇️

The longevity record for this species for Britain & Ireland is 34 years and 7 months! 😮

📷 John Harding / BTO
A male Wigeon on water.
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bbs-birds.bsky.social
(1/) The distinctive Curlew, with its evocative, bubbling calls declined by 51% between 1995 and 2023 across the UK. This decline was particularly significant in Wales, where it declined by 76%. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
Curlew and trend graph.
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
btobirds.bsky.social
Join BTO Youth and the Essex Birdwatching Society for a brilliant and FREE bird ringing demonstration at Wat Tyler Country Park on 15 November.

www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

#ornithology #ukbirds

📷Robin by Alice Marlow / BTO (bird handled under licence)
A Robin held in the ringers' grip, by Alice Marlow / BTO.
November 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
ukrbbp.bsky.social
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]
The cover of the November 2025 issue of British Birds, with a Little Ringed Plover sheltering its chicks
November 4, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Quite a few of the seabirds covered by the SMP share similar features!
We previously covered Shags and Cormorants, and today we're looking at distinguishing Mediterranean Gulls from Black-headed Gulls #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays four images, two of Black-headed Gulls by Allan Drewitt/BTO and two of Mediterranean Gulls, one by Allan Drewitt and the other by Liz Cutting/BTO. Text lists the species' English and Latin names (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) respectively. The following key features are labelled for BH Gulls: Outer primary feathers have black tips, head is chocolate brown, and bill is fine and dull. For Med Gull, these are: Tips of primary feathers are white, head is pure black, and bill is heavy and bright. The SMP logo is in the top right hand corner. The caption reads: Quite a few of the seabirds covered by the SMP share similar features! We previously covered Shags and Cormorants, and today we're looking at distinguishing Mediterranean Gulls from Black-headed Gulls #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
Last week to apply to be a BTO Youth Rep ➡️ bit.ly/YouthRep25

We're looking for volunteers aged 16-24 to share their passion for nature!🐦🌿Training and support are provided, and expenses will be paid.

📝 Closing date: Sunday 9th November 2025.
A group of young people are crouching down to look at an insect on the woodland floor. Wording below reads: BTO Youth. Become a BTO Youth Rep! Scan the QR code to find out more and apply. A QR code is located in the bottom right corner of the image.
November 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
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 woodcock@bto.org.

📷 Woodcock by Liz Cutting / BTO
Woodcock in the snow, by Liz Cutting / BTO
November 3, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
richardkbroughton.bsky.social
Always fascinating to see new @btobirds.bsky.social Ringing & Nest Recording report.
Willow Tits at new low, no nestlings ringed at all, just 6 nests monitored. Ringed Marsh Tit halved from 2010. No Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers ringed in UK for 2nd yr running.
www.bto.org/get-involved... #ornithology
Online Ringing and Nest Recording Report | BTO
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www.bto.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:52 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
Join BTO Youth and @bournemouthuni.bsky.social for this nature conference in Dorset!

Secure a space ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work...

Enjoy inspiring talks from Megan McCubbin, Paul Morton, Katiana Saleiko and Daisy Meadowcroft, browse stalls and speak to conservation mentors. @myabambrick.bsky.social
An Osprey flies through the sky with a fish in its talons. Wording over the slide reads: Be the future of nature's recovery in Dorset and beyond. Talbot Campus. Dorset. Saturday 22nd November, 13:00-18:00. Open to 13+. Free entry for 13–25-year-olds and those in full time education. bto.org/youth-events. BTO Youth and Bournemouth University logo are top right of the image.
November 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
Here's this week's not-very-spooky BTO Migration Blog for Halloween. Let us know what species you spot when you're out and about this week!

www.bto.org/our-work/new...

Photo by Tom Cadwallender / BTO

#ornithology #ukbirding
Flock of Waxings in a tree, by Tom Cadwallender / BTO
October 31, 2025 at 3:23 PM
btobirds.bsky.social
Remembering our much-missed former colleague Claire Boothby, whose brilliant paper with @batconservation.bsky.social has just been published.
batconservation.bsky.social Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · 10d
🦇Bats in Churches research reveals ancient buildings as vital wildlife refuges: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/10... .

New research from the Bats in Churches partnership project reveals that half of all Church of England churches are home to bats. In older churches that rises to nearly eight in ten.
Bats in Churches research reveals ancient buildings as vital wildlife refuges - News - Bat Conservation Trust
New study reveals England’s ancient churches are vital sanctuaries for rare and endangered bats
www.bats.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
debalmer.bsky.social
Timely reminder for everyone to continue to report all dead birds that you find to the links below for possible testing. It's also really valuable to submit to @birdtrack.bsky.social for monitoring purposes too.
btobirds.bsky.social BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · Oct 4
⚠️ 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
Image of a deceased Puffin lying on the ground. White wording on an orange background reads: Please report sightings of dead birds.
October 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Today, October 31st, is the final day to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays an image of a Razorbill by Ben Darvill/BTO. A speech bubble with the text 'Your data is important!' extends from its mouth and there is text which reads 'SMP DATA ENTRY DAYS REMAINING: <1' to its left. In the top right hand corner is the Seabird Monitoring Programme logo. The caption reads: 'Today, October 31st, is the final day to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 31, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
btobirds.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
Image of a deceased Puffin lying on the ground. White wording on an orange background reads: Please report sightings of dead birds.
October 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bbs-birds.bsky.social
(1/) After we covered Oystercatcher last week, this week, we share the BBS trend for the aerobatic and charismatic Lapwing. This species declined by 53% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience
Lapwing and trend graph.
October 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
marshawards.bsky.social
The MCT Recently presented the Marsh Ornithology Awards in Partnership with @btobirds.bsky.social Three Awards were presented across different categories.

The Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist was awarded to Ramandeep Nijjar
October 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM