Dawn Balmer
@debalmer.bsky.social
Birder, ringer, moth(er) and mother. Head of Surveys at BTO, BB Editorial Panel, BB Director, BBRC, Chair RBBP. EBCC Board. Views my own. She/her.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
‘The New Birds of the Sheffield Area’
The proof copy back from the printers, before it went to the bookbinders 😍
sbsg.org
gomerprinting.co.uk
The proof copy back from the printers, before it went to the bookbinders 😍
sbsg.org
gomerprinting.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 10:54 AM
‘The New Birds of the Sheffield Area’
The proof copy back from the printers, before it went to the bookbinders 😍
sbsg.org
gomerprinting.co.uk
The proof copy back from the printers, before it went to the bookbinders 😍
sbsg.org
gomerprinting.co.uk
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
⚠️ 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
📌 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
February 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
⚠️ 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
📌 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
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
(1/) The wild song of Mistle Thrush can be heard in many parts of the UK at the moment. This hardy species even has a habit of delivering it during periods of poor weather. Listen to it here: youtu.be/QLT913D3qHw... @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM
(1/) The wild song of Mistle Thrush can be heard in many parts of the UK at the moment. This hardy species even has a habit of delivering it during periods of poor weather. Listen to it here: youtu.be/QLT913D3qHw... @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
This free @btocymru.bsky.social Breeding Bird Survey training session was ‘sold out’ but, due to popular demand we’ve just added another three places. If you’d like to join us, please book your place asap.
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
February 4, 2026 at 1:58 PM
This free @btocymru.bsky.social Breeding Bird Survey training session was ‘sold out’ but, due to popular demand we’ve just added another three places. If you’d like to join us, please book your place asap.
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We're looking for an intern in our @bto-ni.bsky.social team to focus on Science and Engagement! Apply at www.bto.org/jobs
📆 Full time, Temporary (6 months)
📝 £25,888 per annum pro rata
📌 Deadline for applications: Sunday 15 February
📆 Full time, Temporary (6 months)
📝 £25,888 per annum pro rata
📌 Deadline for applications: Sunday 15 February
February 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
We're looking for an intern in our @bto-ni.bsky.social team to focus on Science and Engagement! Apply at www.bto.org/jobs
📆 Full time, Temporary (6 months)
📝 £25,888 per annum pro rata
📌 Deadline for applications: Sunday 15 February
📆 Full time, Temporary (6 months)
📝 £25,888 per annum pro rata
📌 Deadline for applications: Sunday 15 February
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
'The New Birds of the Sheffield Area'
Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm
Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project.
Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!
Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm
Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project.
Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!
February 4, 2026 at 7:32 PM
'The New Birds of the Sheffield Area'
Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm
Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project.
Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!
Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm
Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project.
Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Manx Shearwaters winter in the South Atlantic Ocean, predominantly off Brazil and Argentina. These birds begin returning to oceans surrounding the UK by late February, so start keeping an eye out for them 'shearing' over the sea! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Manx Shearwaters winter in the South Atlantic Ocean, predominantly off Brazil and Argentina. These birds begin returning to oceans surrounding the UK by late February, so start keeping an eye out for them 'shearing' over the sea! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
There are only 3 places left on our Breeding Bird Survey training session at Forest Farm . . . book your place now to avoid disappointment!
More info here: www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
More info here: www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
February 3, 2026 at 5:07 PM
There are only 3 places left on our Breeding Bird Survey training session at Forest Farm . . . book your place now to avoid disappointment!
More info here: www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
More info here: www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
The new Missing Records file is now live on the BB website, please have a look at britishbirds.co.uk/rarities-com... and consider submitting any outstanding rarities that you may have been lucky enough to discover in 2025. Thanks.
Missing records - British Birds
Download missing BBRC records Updated: 3 February 2025 This file contains details of all birds and/or...
britishbirds.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The new Missing Records file is now live on the BB website, please have a look at britishbirds.co.uk/rarities-com... and consider submitting any outstanding rarities that you may have been lucky enough to discover in 2025. Thanks.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
🚨 We’re recruiting!
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
February 3, 2026 at 6:01 PM
🚨 We’re recruiting!
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We are receiving increased reports of dead auks, including Puffins, particularly in North East Scotland. It's quick and easy to report any dead or sick birds you find through the 'Deceased bird' function on the home page of the BirdTrack app
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
February 3, 2026 at 4:57 PM
We are receiving increased reports of dead auks, including Puffins, particularly in North East Scotland. It's quick and easy to report any dead or sick birds you find through the 'Deceased bird' function on the home page of the BirdTrack app
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
New blog from BTO Senior Research Ecologist Ian Woodward for @ukrbbp.bsky.social delves into a new method for estimating breeding populations of Little Egrets. It discovered they were higher than previously thought – likely exceeding 2,000 pairs in the UK! #Ornithology
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Little Egret Population Estimates
Visit the post for more.
rbbp.org.uk
February 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM
New blog from BTO Senior Research Ecologist Ian Woodward for @ukrbbp.bsky.social delves into a new method for estimating breeding populations of Little Egrets. It discovered they were higher than previously thought – likely exceeding 2,000 pairs in the UK! #Ornithology
📖
📖
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Join BTO Youth for a FREE birding and survey introduction walk at Long Lands Common in North Yorkshire. Book a space ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
📆 Sunday 15 February.
📝 Open to those aged 16-25.
📆 Sunday 15 February.
📝 Open to those aged 16-25.
February 2, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Join BTO Youth for a FREE birding and survey introduction walk at Long Lands Common in North Yorkshire. Book a space ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
📆 Sunday 15 February.
📝 Open to those aged 16-25.
📆 Sunday 15 February.
📝 Open to those aged 16-25.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
East Glamorgan Birders...could you give up a few hours each year to help with one of the UK's most valuable bird surveys?
A free @btocymru.bsky.social Breeding Bird Survey training event will be held at Forest Farm, Cardiff on 1 March.
More info and link to book your place here: shorturl.at/aGfnp
A free @btocymru.bsky.social Breeding Bird Survey training event will be held at Forest Farm, Cardiff on 1 March.
More info and link to book your place here: shorturl.at/aGfnp
Free Breeding Bird Survey Training in Cardiff – 1st March 2026
Fancy spending just a couple of mornings this spring taking part in one of the UK’s most valuable bird surveys? This year the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) will be running a free Breedi…
shorturl.at
February 2, 2026 at 3:13 PM
East Glamorgan Birders...could you give up a few hours each year to help with one of the UK's most valuable bird surveys?
A free @btocymru.bsky.social Breeding Bird Survey training event will be held at Forest Farm, Cardiff on 1 March.
More info and link to book your place here: shorturl.at/aGfnp
A free @btocymru.bsky.social Breeding Bird Survey training event will be held at Forest Farm, Cardiff on 1 March.
More info and link to book your place here: shorturl.at/aGfnp
Morning at Sea Palling yesterday. The 1cy Iceland Gull was around all morning and we also saw six Caspian Gulls (5 2cy, 1 3cy). Trying to track down this colour-ringed Herring Gull, presumably ringed in The Netherlands
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
February 1, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Morning at Sea Palling yesterday. The 1cy Iceland Gull was around all morning and we also saw six Caspian Gulls (5 2cy, 1 3cy). Trying to track down this colour-ringed Herring Gull, presumably ringed in The Netherlands
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Few hours at Welney this afternoon were enjoyable as ever. 19 Tundra Bean Geese, 21+ Russian White-fronted Geese and 39 Cranes all viewable from the centre. Earlier 137 Bewick's Swans at Southery Fen and 38 on Station Rd, Welney. Barn Owl on the way home.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
February 1, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Few hours at Welney this afternoon were enjoyable as ever. 19 Tundra Bean Geese, 21+ Russian White-fronted Geese and 39 Cranes all viewable from the centre. Earlier 137 Bewick's Swans at Southery Fen and 38 on Station Rd, Welney. Barn Owl on the way home.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
BLOG: Ian Woodward, senior research ecologist at @btobirds.bsky.social, describes how combining data from the RBBP and the BTO’s Heronries Census has improved our knowledge on the UK’s Little Egret population, as in new @britishbirds.bsky.social paper #birds #ornithology rbbp.org.uk/2026/01/30/l...
Little Egret Population Estimates
Producing population estimates for Little Egret
A paper in the January 2026 issue of British Birds has described a new approach to estimating the breeding population of Little Egrets in the UK, ...
rbbp.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 4:27 PM
BLOG: Ian Woodward, senior research ecologist at @btobirds.bsky.social, describes how combining data from the RBBP and the BTO’s Heronries Census has improved our knowledge on the UK’s Little Egret population, as in new @britishbirds.bsky.social paper #birds #ornithology rbbp.org.uk/2026/01/30/l...
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We've updated our Work in Progress file. For the latest decisions of the Norfolk Records Committee, visit:
norfolkbirds.weebly.com/work-in-prog...
#NorfolkBirding
norfolkbirds.weebly.com/work-in-prog...
#NorfolkBirding
January 30, 2026 at 9:51 AM
We've updated our Work in Progress file. For the latest decisions of the Norfolk Records Committee, visit:
norfolkbirds.weebly.com/work-in-prog...
#NorfolkBirding
norfolkbirds.weebly.com/work-in-prog...
#NorfolkBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Free UK delivery on all Alula Designs clothing and mugs this weekend, from 9am Friday to midnight Sunday. Visit aluladesigns.co.uk/ for our latest designs #Birds #BirdArt #UKBirding
January 29, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Free UK delivery on all Alula Designs clothing and mugs this weekend, from 9am Friday to midnight Sunday. Visit aluladesigns.co.uk/ for our latest designs #Birds #BirdArt #UKBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
East or west? Tracking work from 2017-2020 by BTO staff provided the first evidence of Scottish breeding Arctic Skuas wintering off South America! Other individuals wintered along the western and southern African coast. #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 12:09 PM
East or west? Tracking work from 2017-2020 by BTO staff provided the first evidence of Scottish breeding Arctic Skuas wintering off South America! Other individuals wintered along the western and southern African coast. #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
The gulls at Sea Palling on Sunday really were amazing to watch. Here's a few of the 21 Caspian Gulls
#NorfolkBirding
📸 Peter Wilson
#NorfolkBirding
📸 Peter Wilson
January 27, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The gulls at Sea Palling on Sunday really were amazing to watch. Here's a few of the 21 Caspian Gulls
#NorfolkBirding
📸 Peter Wilson
#NorfolkBirding
📸 Peter Wilson
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
1/ Arctic Skuas are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. But new BTO-led research reveals just how much we don’t know about their numbers globally. Discover more. ⬇️ #Ornithology #Seabirds
📖 www.bto.org/Arctic-Skua-...
📖 www.bto.org/Arctic-Skua-...
January 27, 2026 at 11:59 AM
1/ Arctic Skuas are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. But new BTO-led research reveals just how much we don’t know about their numbers globally. Discover more. ⬇️ #Ornithology #Seabirds
📖 www.bto.org/Arctic-Skua-...
📖 www.bto.org/Arctic-Skua-...
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We're holding two bird camps in England this year! They will be in Lancashire, 1-3 May, and Dorset, 17-19 July. Apply now for a free space ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps
Bird Camps are back! 🙌 Apply for a FREE place now ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps
If you’re a nature lover aged 11-17 (12-16 in Scotland) join us and fellow nature enthusiasts for a weekend of birding, exploring and nature-based activities. 🐦🦋 @scottishbirding.bsky.social
If you’re a nature lover aged 11-17 (12-16 in Scotland) join us and fellow nature enthusiasts for a weekend of birding, exploring and nature-based activities. 🐦🦋 @scottishbirding.bsky.social
January 27, 2026 at 3:09 PM
We're holding two bird camps in England this year! They will be in Lancashire, 1-3 May, and Dorset, 17-19 July. Apply now for a free space ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Bird Camps are back! 🙌 Apply for a FREE place now ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps
If you’re a nature lover aged 11-17 (12-16 in Scotland) join us and fellow nature enthusiasts for a weekend of birding, exploring and nature-based activities. 🐦🦋 @scottishbirding.bsky.social
If you’re a nature lover aged 11-17 (12-16 in Scotland) join us and fellow nature enthusiasts for a weekend of birding, exploring and nature-based activities. 🐦🦋 @scottishbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Bird Camps are back! 🙌 Apply for a FREE place now ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps
If you’re a nature lover aged 11-17 (12-16 in Scotland) join us and fellow nature enthusiasts for a weekend of birding, exploring and nature-based activities. 🐦🦋 @scottishbirding.bsky.social
If you’re a nature lover aged 11-17 (12-16 in Scotland) join us and fellow nature enthusiasts for a weekend of birding, exploring and nature-based activities. 🐦🦋 @scottishbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
This is a fantastic offer of support for young birders to attend the Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference! Thanks to SOC Highland for their generosity.
SOC Highland Branch are giving 15 Highland-based young birdwatchers the opportunity to attend the SOC/ @btoscotland.bsky.social Spring Conference on Sat 14 March '26 for just £10! Places are limited & will be allocated through an application process. Application criteria applies tinyurl.com/4cwscusk
January 26, 2026 at 4:34 PM
This is a fantastic offer of support for young birders to attend the Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference! Thanks to SOC Highland for their generosity.