BTO Shropshire
@btoshropshire.bsky.social
Regional account for the British Trust for Ornithology in Shropshire.
If you'd like to help with surveys or to find out more about BTO's work in Shropshire please send a direct message or contact bto.shropshire@gmail.com
Follow the #Shropshirebirds feed!
If you'd like to help with surveys or to find out more about BTO's work in Shropshire please send a direct message or contact bto.shropshire@gmail.com
Follow the #Shropshirebirds feed!
Pinned
We're here as volunteers to support the work of
@btobirds.bsky.social in #Shropshire. See our profile for contact info.
Our updated header pic shows what may be the largest Lesser Black-backed Gull roost in the country, at #Ellesmere. So impressive, people stop their cars to enjoy the spectacle!
@btobirds.bsky.social in #Shropshire. See our profile for contact info.
Our updated header pic shows what may be the largest Lesser Black-backed Gull roost in the country, at #Ellesmere. So impressive, people stop their cars to enjoy the spectacle!
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
Hear from our Director of Science James Pearce-Higgins in this article from @theguardian.com looking at pesticide bans and bird population recovery ➡️ www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 17, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Hear from our Director of Science James Pearce-Higgins in this article from @theguardian.com looking at pesticide bans and bird population recovery ➡️ www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
Wild victims of bird flu increase - will it be the worst winter yet in Europe? @btobirds.bsky.social reminds birders we can play a role in monitoring #HPAI
Plus the week's #NorthWales sightings in @northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes. 📷 Tony Pope. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/wild-vi...
Plus the week's #NorthWales sightings in @northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes. 📷 Tony Pope. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/wild-vi...
Wild victims of bird flu on the rise
As ‘flockdown’ rules require keepers of birds to introduce strict biosecurity measures in Wales, increased deaths of wild birds have raised fears that it could be the worst winter yet for bird...
www.birdnotes.wales
November 17, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Wild victims of bird flu increase - will it be the worst winter yet in Europe? @btobirds.bsky.social reminds birders we can play a role in monitoring #HPAI
Plus the week's #NorthWales sightings in @northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes. 📷 Tony Pope. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/wild-vi...
Plus the week's #NorthWales sightings in @northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes. 📷 Tony Pope. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/wild-vi...
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
Sometimes you accidentally get something special! 😄
4 species in one frame, as Crowded House once sang. #birds #ukwildlife #shropshirebirds #Nature #wildlife #photography #birdphotography
4 species in one frame, as Crowded House once sang. #birds #ukwildlife #shropshirebirds #Nature #wildlife #photography #birdphotography
November 16, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Sometimes you accidentally get something special! 😄
4 species in one frame, as Crowded House once sang. #birds #ukwildlife #shropshirebirds #Nature #wildlife #photography #birdphotography
4 species in one frame, as Crowded House once sang. #birds #ukwildlife #shropshirebirds #Nature #wildlife #photography #birdphotography
Fascinating ABA podcast this week, reviewing the life of Roxie Laybourne, an amazing female scientist who “may be the most influential ornithologist you've never heard of”.
#Ornithology
#Ornithology
New episode of the American Birding Podcast!
Smithsonian researcher Roxie Laybourne may be the most influential ornithologist you’ve never heard of. Her incredible life is documented by journalist Chris Sweeney in his new book.
Listen here: www.aba.org/09-46-the-fe...
Smithsonian researcher Roxie Laybourne may be the most influential ornithologist you’ve never heard of. Her incredible life is documented by journalist Chris Sweeney in his new book.
Listen here: www.aba.org/09-46-the-fe...
09-46: The Feather Detective with Chris Sweeney - American Birding Association
www.aba.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Fascinating ABA podcast this week, reviewing the life of Roxie Laybourne, an amazing female scientist who “may be the most influential ornithologist you've never heard of”.
#Ornithology
#Ornithology
Massed Woodpigeon migration continues. It's worth finding time for a VisMig "big sit", if only for half an hour, to count the thousands flying over.
The @birdtrack.bsky.social app makes it easy to update your count as you go, and your data add to our knowledge 🙂
The @birdtrack.bsky.social app makes it easy to update your count as you go, and your data add to our knowledge 🙂
A few glances outside #salopobs whilst getting ready for school and work confirmed today was another big pigeon day. I counted 5,400 heading SW in some massive flocks 0740-0750, but then we had to go 😟 What could have been... #vismig #ukbirding
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Massed Woodpigeon migration continues. It's worth finding time for a VisMig "big sit", if only for half an hour, to count the thousands flying over.
The @birdtrack.bsky.social app makes it easy to update your count as you go, and your data add to our knowledge 🙂
The @birdtrack.bsky.social app makes it easy to update your count as you go, and your data add to our knowledge 🙂
So good to see Shropshire's Gull Guru taking on both a new site and one that he first watched as a child.
We sometimes overlook the connections to our sites that make WeBS such a rewarding survey to contribute to. There are several vacant sites in Shropshire, please DM if you're interested 🙂
We sometimes overlook the connections to our sites that make WeBS such a rewarding survey to contribute to. There are several vacant sites in Shropshire, please DM if you're interested 🙂
I've taken on a couple of new WeBS @webs-gsmp.bsky.social sites this autumn, one hasn't been counted in my lifetime and the other was my childhood patch. Both had Great Egrets this weekend, unthinkable back in their/my day! #shropshirebirding @btobirds.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
So good to see Shropshire's Gull Guru taking on both a new site and one that he first watched as a child.
We sometimes overlook the connections to our sites that make WeBS such a rewarding survey to contribute to. There are several vacant sites in Shropshire, please DM if you're interested 🙂
We sometimes overlook the connections to our sites that make WeBS such a rewarding survey to contribute to. There are several vacant sites in Shropshire, please DM if you're interested 🙂
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
Another fascinating find! A Reed Bunting we ringed on 24/09/25 at @SoultonHall Shropshire, was re-caught just 28 days later, 47 km away at Wolverhampton Race Course! 🌍
Without bird ringing, we’d never uncover these amazing movements through the country. #BirdRinging
Without bird ringing, we’d never uncover these amazing movements through the country. #BirdRinging
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Another fascinating find! A Reed Bunting we ringed on 24/09/25 at @SoultonHall Shropshire, was re-caught just 28 days later, 47 km away at Wolverhampton Race Course! 🌍
Without bird ringing, we’d never uncover these amazing movements through the country. #BirdRinging
Without bird ringing, we’d never uncover these amazing movements through the country. #BirdRinging
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
Venus Pool WeBS early morning 660 Canadas, Canlag, 21 Greylag, 12 Egyptian, 61 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon (influx), 3 GWE, L Egret, 2 W Rail, 210 Lapwing, 5 Snipe. 2 L Grebe & GCG on CF. Influx of 22 Corn Bunting with 4 Y'hammer, 35 Linnet, 35 Greenfinch, 15 Reed B, 2 Chiffs. #shropshirebirding 🪶
November 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Venus Pool WeBS early morning 660 Canadas, Canlag, 21 Greylag, 12 Egyptian, 61 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon (influx), 3 GWE, L Egret, 2 W Rail, 210 Lapwing, 5 Snipe. 2 L Grebe & GCG on CF. Influx of 22 Corn Bunting with 4 Y'hammer, 35 Linnet, 35 Greenfinch, 15 Reed B, 2 Chiffs. #shropshirebirding 🪶
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
A flood of 44,110 Woodpigeons past #salopobs this morning was a new site and county record, and almost overwhelming at times. 5 Egyptian Geese high east were a bit of a surprise #vismig #ukbirding
November 8, 2025 at 9:39 PM
A flood of 44,110 Woodpigeons past #salopobs this morning was a new site and county record, and almost overwhelming at times. 5 Egyptian Geese high east were a bit of a surprise #vismig #ukbirding
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
Today is the November WeBS Core Count! Remember to look out for any sick or dying birds and report these in the Core Count form and to DEFRA for possible testing. in England, Wales & Scotland, contact @DefraGovUK , in Northern Ireland contact @daera_ni
& in ROI @agriculture_ie
& in ROI @agriculture_ie
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Today is the November WeBS Core Count! Remember to look out for any sick or dying birds and report these in the Core Count form and to DEFRA for possible testing. in England, Wales & Scotland, contact @DefraGovUK , in Northern Ireland contact @daera_ni
& in ROI @agriculture_ie
& in ROI @agriculture_ie
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
#UKbirding
📷 Iceland Gull, by Scott Mayson / BTO
November 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
#UKbirding
📷 Iceland Gull, by Scott Mayson / BTO
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
Ahead of the Core Count weekend, don't forget to record any dead birds you see on your WeBS Count on the data entry form in WeBS Online, as well as reporting to Defra for possible collection
November 7, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Ahead of the Core Count weekend, don't forget to record any dead birds you see on your WeBS Count on the data entry form in WeBS Online, as well as reporting to Defra for possible collection
Did you know that Tom McKinney’s morning programme on BBC Radio 3 starts with a short dawn chorus piece just after the 6:30 news? Tom is a birder!
Love the feature, @tommckinney.bsky.social, birdsong and classical music are a great start to the day!
Too early? ⬇️
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/sched...
Love the feature, @tommckinney.bsky.social, birdsong and classical music are a great start to the day!
Too early? ⬇️
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/sched...
BBC Sounds - Radio 3 - Schedules
View the daily broadcast schedule for Radio 3. Find out what's on now and what's up next, or see schedules up to 7 days ahead.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Did you know that Tom McKinney’s morning programme on BBC Radio 3 starts with a short dawn chorus piece just after the 6:30 news? Tom is a birder!
Love the feature, @tommckinney.bsky.social, birdsong and classical music are a great start to the day!
Too early? ⬇️
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/sched...
Love the feature, @tommckinney.bsky.social, birdsong and classical music are a great start to the day!
Too early? ⬇️
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/sched...
We've had two separate reports of sick Mute Swans in North Shropshire today, and referred both callers to Defra.
Please be vigilant, and report any sightings of sick birds to Defra (link in thread) and also log them in BirdTrack. #ShropshireBirds
Please be vigilant, and report any sightings of sick birds to Defra (link in thread) and also log them in BirdTrack. #ShropshireBirds
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
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
November 6, 2025 at 8:32 PM
We've had two separate reports of sick Mute Swans in North Shropshire today, and referred both callers to Defra.
Please be vigilant, and report any sightings of sick birds to Defra (link in thread) and also log them in BirdTrack. #ShropshireBirds
Please be vigilant, and report any sightings of sick birds to Defra (link in thread) and also log them in BirdTrack. #ShropshireBirds
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
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
November 6, 2025 at 7:31 AM
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
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
A pretty depressing day counting sick & dead Whooper Swans. Avian influenza is within the population. Please report all dead birds for possible collection & testing. In 🏴, 🏴 & 🏴 this is Defra
gov.uk/guidance/repor…
Reporting to @birdtrack.bsky.social also helps with monitoring.
gov.uk/guidance/repor…
Reporting to @birdtrack.bsky.social also helps with monitoring.
November 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A pretty depressing day counting sick & dead Whooper Swans. Avian influenza is within the population. Please report all dead birds for possible collection & testing. In 🏴, 🏴 & 🏴 this is Defra
gov.uk/guidance/repor…
Reporting to @birdtrack.bsky.social also helps with monitoring.
gov.uk/guidance/repor…
Reporting to @birdtrack.bsky.social also helps with monitoring.
2025 has been a good year for our BBS coverage, but we can do better! 51 BBS and 7 Wetland BBS squares were surveyed, or 88% of our allocation, by 49 volunteers. A huge thank you to all of them.
There's always room for more! ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved...
#ShropshireBirds @bbs-birds.bsky.social
There's always room for more! ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved...
#ShropshireBirds @bbs-birds.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
2025 has been a good year for our BBS coverage, but we can do better! 51 BBS and 7 Wetland BBS squares were surveyed, or 88% of our allocation, by 49 volunteers. A huge thank you to all of them.
There's always room for more! ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved...
#ShropshireBirds @bbs-birds.bsky.social
There's always room for more! ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved...
#ShropshireBirds @bbs-birds.bsky.social
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
2025 has been a record year for BBS coverage! 4,054 visits to BBS squares have been made this year. This beats the 2018 record of 4,048. Thanks so much to all of the BBS volunteers across the UK who have contributed to this! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 8:18 AM
2025 has been a record year for BBS coverage! 4,054 visits to BBS squares have been made this year. This beats the 2018 record of 4,048. Thanks so much to all of the BBS volunteers across the UK who have contributed to this! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
Photo: Woodcock by Liz Cutting / BTO
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
Photo: Woodcock by Liz Cutting / BTO
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
🐦 With their red faces and tinkling calls, Goldfinches bring a splash of colour to our gardens. Once scarce, they’re now seen in around 60% of Garden BirdWatch gardens. Their increase is likely linked to changes in supplementary feeding as well other ecological factors.
#Birds #UKBirding
#Birds #UKBirding
October 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM
🐦 With their red faces and tinkling calls, Goldfinches bring a splash of colour to our gardens. Once scarce, they’re now seen in around 60% of Garden BirdWatch gardens. Their increase is likely linked to changes in supplementary feeding as well other ecological factors.
#Birds #UKBirding
#Birds #UKBirding
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
Photo credit: Jack Snipe by Allan Drewitt / BTO
October 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
Photo credit: Jack Snipe by Allan Drewitt / BTO
Should be an inspiring day in the presence of like-minded people!
Around a dozen of the #ShropshireBirds clan were at the 2025 conference so we're hoping to see even more Shropshire folk in Northampton 🙂
If there's demand we could try to organise car sharing or train buddies. DM if interested.
Around a dozen of the #ShropshireBirds clan were at the 2025 conference so we're hoping to see even more Shropshire folk in Northampton 🙂
If there's demand we could try to organise car sharing or train buddies. DM if interested.
Have you booked your place yet? Grab your ticket to our 2026 Annual Conference & join us for a full day of inspiring talks on a range of topics, from Nightjars and Curlews, to Blackbirds and seabirds. We'd love to see you there! 😀 #Ornithology
Find out more and book ➡️
www.bto.org/our-work...
Find out more and book ➡️
www.bto.org/our-work...
October 26, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Should be an inspiring day in the presence of like-minded people!
Around a dozen of the #ShropshireBirds clan were at the 2025 conference so we're hoping to see even more Shropshire folk in Northampton 🙂
If there's demand we could try to organise car sharing or train buddies. DM if interested.
Around a dozen of the #ShropshireBirds clan were at the 2025 conference so we're hoping to see even more Shropshire folk in Northampton 🙂
If there's demand we could try to organise car sharing or train buddies. DM if interested.
Impressive visible migration or VisMig from Tom at the Salop Observatory this morning 😮
Sometimes all you need is a little time, some good observation skills and a notebook. Or the #BirdTrack app, of course!
Sometimes all you need is a little time, some good observation skills and a notebook. Or the #BirdTrack app, of course!
Another great #salopobs morning with 61 species recorded including 💥19,120💥 Woodpigeons SW, 2 Great Egrets, Brambling +225 Chaffinches, 79 Fieldfares, 2,310 LBBGs... ebird.org/checklist/S2... #vismig #ukbirding
October 26, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Impressive visible migration or VisMig from Tom at the Salop Observatory this morning 😮
Sometimes all you need is a little time, some good observation skills and a notebook. Or the #BirdTrack app, of course!
Sometimes all you need is a little time, some good observation skills and a notebook. Or the #BirdTrack app, of course!
Reposted by BTO Shropshire
A magical morning at #salopobs (even though I overslept 🤦🏻♂️) with 4 Whoopers SE (obs yeartick 128), a Great Egret high south, 10,060 Woodies, 20 Crossbills, double Gos 😍 ebird.org/checklist/S2... #loveautumn #vismig #ukbirding
October 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A magical morning at #salopobs (even though I overslept 🤦🏻♂️) with 4 Whoopers SE (obs yeartick 128), a Great Egret high south, 10,060 Woodies, 20 Crossbills, double Gos 😍 ebird.org/checklist/S2... #loveautumn #vismig #ukbirding