Jon Heath
@jonheath.bsky.social
Natural Science and Photography, but mainly Birds 🐦 | Cambridgeshire County Bird Recorder | Born at 356 ppm
Reposted by Jon Heath
Great to see RBBP data being used in work led by @btobirds.bsky.social that improves our knowledge on the status of Little Egrets in the UK… there are more than we thought!
BTO research sheds light on the numbers and geographical spread of the Little Egret #rewilding #nature #wildlife #biodiversity #ecology #environment #habitats #conservation #climatechange #birds insideecology.com/2026/01/19/b...
BTO research sheds light on the numbers and geographical spread of the Little Egret - Inside Ecology
Birdwatchers across the UK have been charting the rise and rise of the very distinctive Little Egret for decades, but scientists have been unable to accurately calculate the breeding population of thi...
insideecology.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Great to see RBBP data being used in work led by @btobirds.bsky.social that improves our knowledge on the status of Little Egrets in the UK… there are more than we thought!
A drake Ferruginous Duck at Milton CP today was a real surprise, whatever its origin, and topped off an excellent few days of local birding @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding
January 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
A drake Ferruginous Duck at Milton CP today was a real surprise, whatever its origin, and topped off an excellent few days of local birding @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding
Reposted by Jon Heath
A four Aythya lunchbreak - as well as Tufted Duck and Pochard, drake Scaup and Ferruginous Duck at Milton Country Park. Top find by @jonheath.bsky.social #UKBirding
January 12, 2026 at 5:34 PM
A four Aythya lunchbreak - as well as Tufted Duck and Pochard, drake Scaup and Ferruginous Duck at Milton Country Park. Top find by @jonheath.bsky.social #UKBirding
Reposted by Jon Heath
An excellent #patch tick with 2 Greater White-fronted Geese showing well at the Cambridge Research Park this morning. Many thanks to @jonheath.bsky.social for finding. An adult female Goosander also present #birds #PWC2026 #photography @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 12:33 PM
An excellent #patch tick with 2 Greater White-fronted Geese showing well at the Cambridge Research Park this morning. Many thanks to @jonheath.bsky.social for finding. An adult female Goosander also present #birds #PWC2026 #photography @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
A drake Scaup late this afternoon on a small ice free area of Todd's Lake at Milton CP. After being well out of finding form recently it was nice to get something good on patch for a change @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding
January 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM
A drake Scaup late this afternoon on a small ice free area of Todd's Lake at Milton CP. After being well out of finding form recently it was nice to get something good on patch for a change @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding
Happy New Year! Some of the best birds seen and favourite pics from locally around Cambs this year. One of my highlights was recording over 100 species in April at my Tev Fen patch, though the habitat there and then interesting birds soon dried up @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Happy New Year! Some of the best birds seen and favourite pics from locally around Cambs this year. One of my highlights was recording over 100 species in April at my Tev Fen patch, though the habitat there and then interesting birds soon dried up @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Great day out in Norfolk yesterday. After a bit of a wait the Black-winged Kite started hunting at Ludham Bridge and quickly caught a vole. Later on the Eastern Black Redstart showed brilliantly in the winter sunshine at Sheringham @mrm27.bsky.social #ukbirding
December 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Great day out in Norfolk yesterday. After a bit of a wait the Black-winged Kite started hunting at Ludham Bridge and quickly caught a vole. Later on the Eastern Black Redstart showed brilliantly in the winter sunshine at Sheringham @mrm27.bsky.social #ukbirding
Reposted by Jon Heath
Good visit to Norfolk today, 30/12/25, for the Black-winged Kite with @jonheath.bsky.social and a nameless friend, good views, then a bit of a seawatch at Sheringham with the E Black Redstart as an incentive, finishing with some nice wild swans. #birds 🪶🐦
December 30, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Good visit to Norfolk today, 30/12/25, for the Black-winged Kite with @jonheath.bsky.social and a nameless friend, good views, then a bit of a seawatch at Sheringham with the E Black Redstart as an incentive, finishing with some nice wild swans. #birds 🪶🐦
Reposted by Jon Heath
Climate-driven range contractions in species like Twite and Citril Finch can't be fixed by releases www.birdguides.com/news/citril-... #Ornithology ##UKBirding 🪶
December 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Climate-driven range contractions in species like Twite and Citril Finch can't be fixed by releases www.birdguides.com/news/citril-... #Ornithology ##UKBirding 🪶
Reposted by Jon Heath
Absolutely shocking.
We're offering an overall award of £10k for information that leads to a conviction in these cases.
We need to make raptor persecution a thing of the past.
We're offering an overall award of £10k for information that leads to a conviction in these cases.
We need to make raptor persecution a thing of the past.
December 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Absolutely shocking.
We're offering an overall award of £10k for information that leads to a conviction in these cases.
We need to make raptor persecution a thing of the past.
We're offering an overall award of £10k for information that leads to a conviction in these cases.
We need to make raptor persecution a thing of the past.
Reposted by Jon Heath
📉 Our new paper shows Bewick’s Swan numbers in NW/NE Europe have fallen to ~12,900 birds - a 56.7% decline since 1995, with further losses predicted by 2026 unless survival or breeding success improves. Flyway-wide conservation is urgent. 🦢 Download paper > tidsskrift.dk/Wildfowl/art... #Ornithology
December 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
📉 Our new paper shows Bewick’s Swan numbers in NW/NE Europe have fallen to ~12,900 birds - a 56.7% decline since 1995, with further losses predicted by 2026 unless survival or breeding success improves. Flyway-wide conservation is urgent. 🦢 Download paper > tidsskrift.dk/Wildfowl/art... #Ornithology
1st-winter Red-necked Grebe still showing really well at Fen Drayton Lakes today, often diving between submerged tree branches on the eastern side of Ferry Lagoon. The last one at this site was over 10 years ago @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
1st-winter Red-necked Grebe still showing really well at Fen Drayton Lakes today, often diving between submerged tree branches on the eastern side of Ferry Lagoon. The last one at this site was over 10 years ago @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
There must be some particularly good Shoveler food just out of reach at Milton CP as most of the over-wintering birds there have switched to a diving feeding technique @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
There must be some particularly good Shoveler food just out of reach at Milton CP as most of the over-wintering birds there have switched to a diving feeding technique @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Heath
Huge News from the Western Amazon: it's the year 2025 and we are still describing entirely new, strikingly-distinctive large-bodied bird species! Behold Tinamus resonans sp. nov. the Slaty-masked Tinamou mapress.com/zt/article/v... #Ornithology @tetzoo.bsky.social 🪶
December 2, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Huge News from the Western Amazon: it's the year 2025 and we are still describing entirely new, strikingly-distinctive large-bodied bird species! Behold Tinamus resonans sp. nov. the Slaty-masked Tinamou mapress.com/zt/article/v... #Ornithology @tetzoo.bsky.social 🪶
Reposted by Jon Heath
This time, the washes were ready! 🦢✅
After a 570km U-turn north to Aberdeenshire, likely due to low water at the Ouse Washes, the same swan has migrated south again & arrived to restored, higher levels. A real-world example of landscape-scale habitat assessment by migratory birds.
After a 570km U-turn north to Aberdeenshire, likely due to low water at the Ouse Washes, the same swan has migrated south again & arrived to restored, higher levels. A real-world example of landscape-scale habitat assessment by migratory birds.
December 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
This time, the washes were ready! 🦢✅
After a 570km U-turn north to Aberdeenshire, likely due to low water at the Ouse Washes, the same swan has migrated south again & arrived to restored, higher levels. A real-world example of landscape-scale habitat assessment by migratory birds.
After a 570km U-turn north to Aberdeenshire, likely due to low water at the Ouse Washes, the same swan has migrated south again & arrived to restored, higher levels. A real-world example of landscape-scale habitat assessment by migratory birds.
Reposted by Jon Heath
Last night the Government steamrollered its Planning Bill through, slamming the door on vital protections for nature.
They said it would be a ‘win-win’ for the economy and nature.
But in reality, they’ve pushed nature into last place.
They said it would be a ‘win-win’ for the economy and nature.
But in reality, they’ve pushed nature into last place.
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Last night the Government steamrollered its Planning Bill through, slamming the door on vital protections for nature.
They said it would be a ‘win-win’ for the economy and nature.
But in reality, they’ve pushed nature into last place.
They said it would be a ‘win-win’ for the economy and nature.
But in reality, they’ve pushed nature into last place.
Reposted by Jon Heath
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
Lovely crisp evening at Tev Fen with 7 raptor species seen. The Marsh Harrier roost is building up nicely but no sign of any Hen Harriers yet @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Lovely crisp evening at Tev Fen with 7 raptor species seen. The Marsh Harrier roost is building up nicely but no sign of any Hen Harriers yet @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Heath
Longevity record!
Last night, @washwader.bsky.social recaught this Black-tailed Godwit, first caught and ringed 29 years ago.
The metal ring was wearing thin (and was replaced) but the bird is still going strong.
Blog about longevity of waders:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/w...
#ornithology
Last night, @washwader.bsky.social recaught this Black-tailed Godwit, first caught and ringed 29 years ago.
The metal ring was wearing thin (and was replaced) but the bird is still going strong.
Blog about longevity of waders:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/w...
#ornithology
November 9, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Longevity record!
Last night, @washwader.bsky.social recaught this Black-tailed Godwit, first caught and ringed 29 years ago.
The metal ring was wearing thin (and was replaced) but the bird is still going strong.
Blog about longevity of waders:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/w...
#ornithology
Last night, @washwader.bsky.social recaught this Black-tailed Godwit, first caught and ringed 29 years ago.
The metal ring was wearing thin (and was replaced) but the bird is still going strong.
Blog about longevity of waders:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/w...
#ornithology
Reposted by Jon Heath
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 Jon Heath
Central Cambridge Otter!
My friend @w-mcewan.bsky.social just saw this Otter near the boathouses! (31 Oct '25)
Incredible!
@tonyjuniper.bsky.social @jonheath.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
My friend @w-mcewan.bsky.social just saw this Otter near the boathouses! (31 Oct '25)
Incredible!
@tonyjuniper.bsky.social @jonheath.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Central Cambridge Otter!
My friend @w-mcewan.bsky.social just saw this Otter near the boathouses! (31 Oct '25)
Incredible!
@tonyjuniper.bsky.social @jonheath.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
My friend @w-mcewan.bsky.social just saw this Otter near the boathouses! (31 Oct '25)
Incredible!
@tonyjuniper.bsky.social @jonheath.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Heath
Thanks to @emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social for raising the impact of fireworks on animals at First Minister's Questions. The delay to the licensing aspect of the Fireworks Act is hugely frustrating. The suffering animals continue to endure is deeply upsetting: www.onekind.org/blog/firewor...
Fireworks causing animal distress, charity warns amid legislative delays (30-10-26)
Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind is drawing attention to the distress fireworks can cause animals, urging the Scottish Government to deliver on legislation passed three years ago that has yet t...
www.onekind.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Thanks to @emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social for raising the impact of fireworks on animals at First Minister's Questions. The delay to the licensing aspect of the Fireworks Act is hugely frustrating. The suffering animals continue to endure is deeply upsetting: www.onekind.org/blog/firewor...
Reposted by Jon Heath
Almost a third of UK Hawfinches used artificial birdfood when available, with implications for disease transmission.
Investigating supplementary food use of UK Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes populations using DNA metabarcoding doi.org/10.1080/0006...
#BirdStudy #ornithology
Investigating supplementary food use of UK Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes populations using DNA metabarcoding doi.org/10.1080/0006...
#BirdStudy #ornithology
October 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Almost a third of UK Hawfinches used artificial birdfood when available, with implications for disease transmission.
Investigating supplementary food use of UK Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes populations using DNA metabarcoding doi.org/10.1080/0006...
#BirdStudy #ornithology
Investigating supplementary food use of UK Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes populations using DNA metabarcoding doi.org/10.1080/0006...
#BirdStudy #ornithology
Reposted by Jon Heath
Third phase of consultation opens for proposed reservoir in the Fens
New details of the plans. Consultation open until December
www.anglianwater.co.uk/news/third-p...
New details of the plans. Consultation open until December
www.anglianwater.co.uk/news/third-p...
Third phase of consultation opens for proposed reservoir in the Fens | Anglian Water Services
Communities invited to have their say on major investment to secure water supplies for future generations and create a new destination where people, nature and water can come together
www.anglianwater.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Third phase of consultation opens for proposed reservoir in the Fens
New details of the plans. Consultation open until December
www.anglianwater.co.uk/news/third-p...
New details of the plans. Consultation open until December
www.anglianwater.co.uk/news/third-p...
Reposted by Jon Heath
As a county bird recorder I can honestly say that the best and easiest way for you to make your birding count, is to upload them to either eBird or BirdTrack. Doing so contributes directly to #ornithology and bird #conservation at both local and national levels.
#birdingScotland #birdingWales
#birdingScotland #birdingWales
The remarkable rise of eBird – the world’s biggest citizen science project
In 2002, an online database was set up allowing birdwatchers to record their species observations. It is now a vast resource, shaping scientific research.
theconversation.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
As a county bird recorder I can honestly say that the best and easiest way for you to make your birding count, is to upload them to either eBird or BirdTrack. Doing so contributes directly to #ornithology and bird #conservation at both local and national levels.
#birdingScotland #birdingWales
#birdingScotland #birdingWales