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
1/2 A new site for counting for WeBS which I’ve generically called Longdon Heath but is essentially the flooded fields & wet grassland south of Upton upon Severn, site of the recent influx of White fronted & Bean Geese. Also good no’s of wildfowl in winter so important to get the data #worcsbirds
January 6, 2026 at 10:28 AM
1/2 A new site for counting for WeBS which I’ve generically called Longdon Heath but is essentially the flooded fields & wet grassland south of Upton upon Severn, site of the recent influx of White fronted & Bean Geese. Also good no’s of wildfowl in winter so important to get the data #worcsbirds
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
A new year means more breeding seabird monitoring!
Watch our recap video for a reminder of the SMP's aims, Key Sites, and how you can find out more/get involved.
We look forward to working with you to benefit seabirds this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Watch our recap video for a reminder of the SMP's aims, Key Sites, and how you can find out more/get involved.
We look forward to working with you to benefit seabirds this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 4:57 PM
A new year means more breeding seabird monitoring!
Watch our recap video for a reminder of the SMP's aims, Key Sites, and how you can find out more/get involved.
We look forward to working with you to benefit seabirds this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Watch our recap video for a reminder of the SMP's aims, Key Sites, and how you can find out more/get involved.
We look forward to working with you to benefit seabirds this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
An exciting opportunity for anyone looking to contribute to the amazing data set generated on the Isle of May every year.
A beautiful island and brilliant team!
A beautiful island and brilliant team!
New Year, new job. Come and join the @ukceh.bsky.social team on the Isle of May
ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/CEH_Ca...
ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/CEH_Ca...
Avian Ecologist
Salary - £31,942 - £33,898 Depending on experience Hybrid working (50/50) Location: Edinburgh Closing date: 16th January 2026 We are looking for an enthusiastic Avian Ecologist to join our team in Edi...
ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:54 AM
An exciting opportunity for anyone looking to contribute to the amazing data set generated on the Isle of May every year.
A beautiful island and brilliant team!
A beautiful island and brilliant team!
Back to work today so made my first pre-work walk around East Wretham Heath. Ringmere frozen and few birds around- recorded 21 species, best a pair of Ravens. Stunning morning to be out, -5 and beautifully crisp.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
January 5, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Back to work today so made my first pre-work walk around East Wretham Heath. Ringmere frozen and few birds around- recorded 21 species, best a pair of Ravens. Stunning morning to be out, -5 and beautifully crisp.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We are returning once again to Hull in 2026 for the City Nature Challenge! Join us & make observations throughout the city between 24th April - 27th April 2026 using
@inaturalist.bsky.social. Our project is already up and running - join here for updates: uk.inaturalist.org/projects/cit... 🔎📱
@inaturalist.bsky.social. Our project is already up and running - join here for updates: uk.inaturalist.org/projects/cit... 🔎📱
City Nature Challenge 2026: Hull
Welcome to the Hull City Nature Challenge 2026! The aim of the City Nature Challenge is to promote the collection of biological data that can help inform the way we understand and make decisions about...
uk.inaturalist.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:10 AM
We are returning once again to Hull in 2026 for the City Nature Challenge! Join us & make observations throughout the city between 24th April - 27th April 2026 using
@inaturalist.bsky.social. Our project is already up and running - join here for updates: uk.inaturalist.org/projects/cit... 🔎📱
@inaturalist.bsky.social. Our project is already up and running - join here for updates: uk.inaturalist.org/projects/cit... 🔎📱
Delivered Bethany back to Uni in Hull today and we stopped for a couple of hours at Far Ings NR. Our first visit here. Pools mostly frozen but lovely walk around and great views of the Humber.
January 4, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Delivered Bethany back to Uni in Hull today and we stopped for a couple of hours at Far Ings NR. Our first visit here. Pools mostly frozen but lovely walk around and great views of the Humber.
Here's 'Lucy' the Bewick's Swan that we saw at Station Road, Welney today. Amazed to see that Lucy was at Slimbridge on 28th and 29th December and now in the Cambs/Norfolk Fens. Reading colour-rings is very rewarding.
zwergschwan.de/karte-sender...
#NorfolkBirding
zwergschwan.de/karte-sender...
#NorfolkBirding
January 1, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Here's 'Lucy' the Bewick's Swan that we saw at Station Road, Welney today. Amazed to see that Lucy was at Slimbridge on 28th and 29th December and now in the Cambs/Norfolk Fens. Reading colour-rings is very rewarding.
zwergschwan.de/karte-sender...
#NorfolkBirding
zwergschwan.de/karte-sender...
#NorfolkBirding
Ten Bewick's Swans at Welney WWT this afternoon, bringing the day total to 91 Bewick's Swans in the Norfolk fens between Feltwell and Welney. Most remarkable sighting of the day was a Jack Snipe on Station Road as we left Welney in the dark!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
January 1, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Ten Bewick's Swans at Welney WWT this afternoon, bringing the day total to 91 Bewick's Swans in the Norfolk fens between Feltwell and Welney. Most remarkable sighting of the day was a Jack Snipe on Station Road as we left Welney in the dark!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
I am looking at purchasing a new waterproof coat and am tempted by the Paramo Halcon or Halcon 360 but interested to know if anyone has any knowledge on if the Halcon 360 is worth the extra money? #birdinggear
December 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I am looking at purchasing a new waterproof coat and am tempted by the Paramo Halcon or Halcon 360 but interested to know if anyone has any knowledge on if the Halcon 360 is worth the extra money? #birdinggear
Quick look at my @birdtrack.bsky.social stats for 2025. Up 5 species on 2024. More effort to my patch at East Wretham Heath and to Welney this year. Holidays to Cornwall and few days in Wales, work trip to Scotland and Northumberland. Lots of East Anglian birding.
December 31, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Quick look at my @birdtrack.bsky.social stats for 2025. Up 5 species on 2024. More effort to my patch at East Wretham Heath and to Welney this year. Holidays to Cornwall and few days in Wales, work trip to Scotland and Northumberland. Lots of East Anglian birding.
Stunning sunset to end the day in the Norfolk Broads and marshes. Afternoon at Buckenham Marshes produced the Green-winged Teal, 21 Ruff and thousands of duck. Walked to Cantley Marshes to view 500+ Russian White-fronted Geese.
December 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Stunning sunset to end the day in the Norfolk Broads and marshes. Afternoon at Buckenham Marshes produced the Green-winged Teal, 21 Ruff and thousands of duck. Walked to Cantley Marshes to view 500+ Russian White-fronted Geese.
December 31, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Stunning sunset to end the day in the Norfolk Broads and marshes. Afternoon at Buckenham Marshes produced the Green-winged Teal, 21 Ruff and thousands of duck. Walked to Cantley Marshes to view 500+ Russian White-fronted Geese.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Wishing our members and all birders visiting Northumberland a bird-filled 2026.
If you have outstanding records for 2025 please submit to our county recorder Tim Dean as soon as possible (t.r.dean@btinternet.com).
NTBC are supporting the International Swan Census in Jan - details on website.
If you have outstanding records for 2025 please submit to our county recorder Tim Dean as soon as possible (t.r.dean@btinternet.com).
NTBC are supporting the International Swan Census in Jan - details on website.
December 31, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Wishing our members and all birders visiting Northumberland a bird-filled 2026.
If you have outstanding records for 2025 please submit to our county recorder Tim Dean as soon as possible (t.r.dean@btinternet.com).
NTBC are supporting the International Swan Census in Jan - details on website.
If you have outstanding records for 2025 please submit to our county recorder Tim Dean as soon as possible (t.r.dean@btinternet.com).
NTBC are supporting the International Swan Census in Jan - details on website.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Discover what BTO has achieved in 2025 for birds and people ➡️ youtu.be/NDZ96B_tVZM
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, and helped make our work possible. 💚
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, and helped make our work possible. 💚
BTO in 2025
Discover what BTO has accomplished during 2025, for both birds and people.
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Discover what BTO has achieved in 2025 for birds and people ➡️ youtu.be/NDZ96B_tVZM
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, and helped make our work possible. 💚
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, and helped make our work possible. 💚
Last visit of the year to East Wretham Heath - 23 species, highlight 3 Shoveler, 42 Teal. Ringmere mostly iced over. Hoping for 3 things next year - water in Langmere, NWT to tackle Birch saplings by Fenmere and some good birds!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
December 31, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Last visit of the year to East Wretham Heath - 23 species, highlight 3 Shoveler, 42 Teal. Ringmere mostly iced over. Hoping for 3 things next year - water in Langmere, NWT to tackle Birch saplings by Fenmere and some good birds!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Productive birding in the Norfolk Fens with 6 Tundra Bean Geese, 14 Russian White-fronted Geese, 19 Bewick's Swans on Methwold Fen. Also 2 Tundra Beans and 5 Bewick's Swans on Southery Fen. Over 1000 Whooper Swans in the fields.
#Norfolkbirding
#Norfolkbirding
December 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Productive birding in the Norfolk Fens with 6 Tundra Bean Geese, 14 Russian White-fronted Geese, 19 Bewick's Swans on Methwold Fen. Also 2 Tundra Beans and 5 Bewick's Swans on Southery Fen. Over 1000 Whooper Swans in the fields.
#Norfolkbirding
#Norfolkbirding
Another Welney super sunset. Good birding again with thousands of birds to look through. Distant goose flock beyond Lady Fen had 9 Tundra Bean Geese, 50+ Russian White-fronted Geese and 7 Barnacle Geese. Also 3 Pinks a bit closer.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
December 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Another Welney super sunset. Good birding again with thousands of birds to look through. Distant goose flock beyond Lady Fen had 9 Tundra Bean Geese, 50+ Russian White-fronted Geese and 7 Barnacle Geese. Also 3 Pinks a bit closer.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Merry Christmas to you all! Hope you have a lovely day with family and friends. Good birding if you're out and about.
December 25, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Merry Christmas to you all! Hope you have a lovely day with family and friends. Good birding if you're out and about.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from the BBS Team at BTO HQ! We hope you get an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the wildlife in your local area over the course of the festive season. See you in 2026! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
December 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from the BBS Team at BTO HQ! We hope you get an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the wildlife in your local area over the course of the festive season. See you in 2026! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
With colder temperatures and easterly winds we are starting to see some arrivals of White-fronted Geese and Tundra Bean Geese, as well as the smart Smew. Numbers of Smew wintering in the UK fell by 84% between 1996/97 and 2022/23 #ukbirding
Smew, by Graham Catley / BTO
Smew, by Graham Catley / BTO
December 24, 2025 at 9:56 AM
With colder temperatures and easterly winds we are starting to see some arrivals of White-fronted Geese and Tundra Bean Geese, as well as the smart Smew. Numbers of Smew wintering in the UK fell by 84% between 1996/97 and 2022/23 #ukbirding
Smew, by Graham Catley / BTO
Smew, by Graham Catley / BTO
Water levels up at WWT Welney yesterday. 17 Cattle Egret, 3 Goldeneye, over 5000 gulls roosted. Water Pipit seen on the 19th. Thousands of duck to scan through. #NorfolkBirding
December 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Water levels up at WWT Welney yesterday. 17 Cattle Egret, 3 Goldeneye, over 5000 gulls roosted. Water Pipit seen on the 19th. Thousands of duck to scan through. #NorfolkBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Similar to Goldcrest, Wren is very susceptible to cold winters. It is also able to recover quite quickly after a population decline, as it can have more than one brood in a year and it typically lays around five eggs in a clutch. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Similar to Goldcrest, Wren is very susceptible to cold winters. It is also able to recover quite quickly after a population decline, as it can have more than one brood in a year and it typically lays around five eggs in a clutch. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
1/ Can you help us count Bewick's and Whooper Swans for the International Swan Census on 17-18 January 2026? 🦢
Visit the vacant site map to request a site at app.bto.org/gsmp/pub...
#Ornithology @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
Visit the vacant site map to request a site at app.bto.org/gsmp/pub...
#Ornithology @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
1/ Can you help us count Bewick's and Whooper Swans for the International Swan Census on 17-18 January 2026? 🦢
Visit the vacant site map to request a site at app.bto.org/gsmp/pub...
#Ornithology @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
Visit the vacant site map to request a site at app.bto.org/gsmp/pub...
#Ornithology @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Our new festive BTO blog post looks back at BTO Christmas cards across the years.
Grab yourself a cuppa (or a mulled wine), sit back and enjoy.🎄☃️❄️
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
#ornithology
Grab yourself a cuppa (or a mulled wine), sit back and enjoy.🎄☃️❄️
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
#ornithology
December 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Our new festive BTO blog post looks back at BTO Christmas cards across the years.
Grab yourself a cuppa (or a mulled wine), sit back and enjoy.🎄☃️❄️
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
#ornithology
Grab yourself a cuppa (or a mulled wine), sit back and enjoy.🎄☃️❄️
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
#ornithology
We were passing through King's Lynn on Christmas present delivery duties so popped into South Wootton flood and was surprised to see the Whinchat in the field at the south end. First one I've seen in December. Shame the light was so dire!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
December 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
We were passing through King's Lynn on Christmas present delivery duties so popped into South Wootton flood and was surprised to see the Whinchat in the field at the south end. First one I've seen in December. Shame the light was so dire!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding