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
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 7:50 PM
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
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Record breaker!
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Record breaker!
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
After a day indoors yesterday, a day out in the field was just what was needed. Beautiful weather, quality time with friends and some good birds. Three Arctic Terns, Slav Grebes, Shorelark, Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, American Golden Plover, Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis.
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
After a day indoors yesterday, a day out in the field was just what was needed. Beautiful weather, quality time with friends and some good birds. Three Arctic Terns, Slav Grebes, Shorelark, Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, American Golden Plover, Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis.
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Today I collected an audio recorder I left in the Fens with the aim of getting some nice Wigeon recordings. Incredibly it also picked up this Richard's Pipit flying through on the morning of 6th November! xeno-canto.org/1053297 #UKBirding
XC1053297 Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi)
12 flight calls
xeno-canto.org
November 8, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Today I collected an audio recorder I left in the Fens with the aim of getting some nice Wigeon recordings. Incredibly it also picked up this Richard's Pipit flying through on the morning of 6th November! xeno-canto.org/1053297 #UKBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
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
A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides
#UKbirding
November 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
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
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides
#UKbirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.
November 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.
Really enjoyed the @btobirds.bsky.social South West Conference at Duchy College in Cornwall today. Brilliant talks and great to catch up with so many people. Very well organised by Simon, Ocea and Eve. Thank you!
November 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Really enjoyed the @btobirds.bsky.social South West Conference at Duchy College in Cornwall today. Brilliant talks and great to catch up with so many people. Very well organised by Simon, Ocea and Eve. Thank you!
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Both the Red-spotted and White-spotted races of Bluethroat try to breed in the UK occasionally but breeding has only been confirmed on five occasions, in 1968, 85, 95, 2016 (Red-spotted) and 1996 (White-spotted). There were single possible breeding records of both in 2023 #ukbirding #ornithology
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Both the Red-spotted and White-spotted races of Bluethroat try to breed in the UK occasionally but breeding has only been confirmed on five occasions, in 1968, 85, 95, 2016 (Red-spotted) and 1996 (White-spotted). There were single possible breeding records of both in 2023 #ukbirding #ornithology
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
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 8:08 PM
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
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Another species returning to breed in 2023 was Temminck's Stint; a pair laid a clutch of four eggs in Highland, although the nest was later flooded out. This tiny wader bred regularly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, but this was the first confirmed breeding since 1997 #ornithology #BirdingScotland
November 6, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Another species returning to breed in 2023 was Temminck's Stint; a pair laid a clutch of four eggs in Highland, although the nest was later flooded out. This tiny wader bred regularly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, but this was the first confirmed breeding since 1997 #ornithology #BirdingScotland
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Hoopoes bred in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2023, the first confirmed breeding record in the UK since 1996. Here’s the family - parents and three offspring. Can you see them all? Read more about rare breeding birds in 2023 at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-...
📸 Carl Baggott
📸 Carl Baggott
November 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Hoopoes bred in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2023, the first confirmed breeding record in the UK since 1996. Here’s the family - parents and three offspring. Can you see them all? Read more about rare breeding birds in 2023 at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-...
📸 Carl Baggott
📸 Carl Baggott
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
(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
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
(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
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
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.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Our report for 2023 is out now in @britishbirds.bsky.social. There's a summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... but if you prefer to watch rather than read then here's RBBP secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social with a few key points and some lovely photos! #ornithology #ukbirds youtu.be/arj1m7NfKmY
Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023
YouTube video by Rare Breeding Birds Panel
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Our report for 2023 is out now in @britishbirds.bsky.social. There's a summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... but if you prefer to watch rather than read then here's RBBP secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social with a few key points and some lovely photos! #ornithology #ukbirds youtu.be/arj1m7NfKmY
Fantastic report from RBBP on rare breeding birds in 2023. Big thanks to all birders for submitting records and county recorder for sending to RBBP. Well done to @markaeaton.bsky.social for your hard work writing the report. Many thanks to @britishbirds.bsky.social for publication.
#UKbirding
#UKbirding
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]
November 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Fantastic report from RBBP on rare breeding birds in 2023. Big thanks to all birders for submitting records and county recorder for sending to RBBP. Well done to @markaeaton.bsky.social for your hard work writing the report. Many thanks to @britishbirds.bsky.social for publication.
#UKbirding
#UKbirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
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]
November 4, 2025 at 10:51 AM
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]
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Seabird Restoration and Resilience Officer - NatureScot - environmentjob.co.uk/jobs/107993-... #ScottishBirding
Seabird Restoration and Resilience Officer
NatureScot is seeking an experienced ornithologist to support and drive seabird conservation across Scotland. This role will focus on facilitating timely implementation of predator reduction and ...
environmentjob.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Seabird Restoration and Resilience Officer - NatureScot - environmentjob.co.uk/jobs/107993-... #ScottishBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
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
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
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
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
Pete and I spent the morning at Holme and counted 7065 Starlings fly west, most in the first two hours of daylight. Also 127 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 193 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 3 Bullfinch, 6 Song Thrush, 53 Lapwing, 17 Linnet, 17 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting. Top vis-mig.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
November 1, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Pete and I spent the morning at Holme and counted 7065 Starlings fly west, most in the first two hours of daylight. Also 127 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 193 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 3 Bullfinch, 6 Song Thrush, 53 Lapwing, 17 Linnet, 17 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting. Top vis-mig.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Very much looking forward to this conference and helping out as a conservation mentor
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
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
November 1, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Very much looking forward to this conference and helping out as a conservation mentor
We stayed till dusk at Titchwell to check out the gulls. A 2cy Caspian Gull, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls and a 1cy Caspian hybrid. Earlier 4 Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler by the dragonfly pond (and Common Darter)
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
November 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
We stayed till dusk at Titchwell to check out the gulls. A 2cy Caspian Gull, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls and a 1cy Caspian hybrid. Earlier 4 Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler by the dragonfly pond (and Common Darter)
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Enjoyable visit to @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Welney today with a good selection of birds (and a late Common Darter) but we really need some more rain. 40 Fieldfare through, my biggest flock this autumn so far
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
October 31, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Enjoyable visit to @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Welney today with a good selection of birds (and a late Common Darter) but we really need some more rain. 40 Fieldfare through, my biggest flock this autumn so far
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
Day off today and doing one of my favourite things - seeking out Whooper Swans in fields in the fens. Found over 2000 and managed a few ring-reads including, though many too distant to read colour-rings. Did some age ratios too. Great to see the swans back for winter.
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Day off today and doing one of my favourite things - seeking out Whooper Swans in fields in the fens. Found over 2000 and managed a few ring-reads including, though many too distant to read colour-rings. Did some age ratios too. Great to see the swans back for winter.
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
Vacancy on BOU Records Committee. Are you up for it? I found it a really interesting and educational experience. Happy to share my experience if you are interested.
#RarebirdsUK #UKBirding
#RarebirdsUK #UKBirding
📢 BOU COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS OPEN
➡️ Awards Nominations Committee
➡️ Engagement Committee
➡️ IBIS Management Committee
➡️ Meetings Committee
➡️ Records Committee
Plus NEW Committee Shadowing Scheme
More info & to nominate: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
➡️ Awards Nominations Committee
➡️ Engagement Committee
➡️ IBIS Management Committee
➡️ Meetings Committee
➡️ Records Committee
Plus NEW Committee Shadowing Scheme
More info & to nominate: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Vacancy on BOU Records Committee. Are you up for it? I found it a really interesting and educational experience. Happy to share my experience if you are interested.
#RarebirdsUK #UKBirding
#RarebirdsUK #UKBirding