Nicola Crockford
@numenini.bsky.social
RSPB Principal Policy Officer. BirdLife Global Flyways Programme policy lead. Privileged to work full time for the world's migratory birds. Love snorkelling. The views I express here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RSPB.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Really nice website showing Icelandic Greylags and Barnacle Geese wintering locations in Scotland 👇
In Highland Barnacle Goose “Efri-Ey” currently on Eilean Hoan on north coast #highlandbirds 🪶
In Highland Barnacle Goose “Efri-Ey” currently on Eilean Hoan on north coast #highlandbirds 🪶
January 26, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Really nice website showing Icelandic Greylags and Barnacle Geese wintering locations in Scotland 👇
In Highland Barnacle Goose “Efri-Ey” currently on Eilean Hoan on north coast #highlandbirds 🪶
In Highland Barnacle Goose “Efri-Ey” currently on Eilean Hoan on north coast #highlandbirds 🪶
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Why are the cycles in numbers of young Brent geese, long-tailed skua and curlew sandpiper seen in Europe? youtu.be/wMO7d9svQRs?...
Cycles in arctic wildlife
YouTube video by Bill Sutherland's Conservation Concepts
youtu.be
January 26, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Why are the cycles in numbers of young Brent geese, long-tailed skua and curlew sandpiper seen in Europe? youtu.be/wMO7d9svQRs?...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Who doesn't love the sea?
NB global sea levels have risen by c.10 cm (4“) since 1990, and the rate is now accelerating to >4 mm / year.
Watch out #NewYork #London #Bangkok #Tokyo #Shanghai...
What's our long-term strategy for coastal cities: protection, mitigation, denial of risk?
#climatechange
NB global sea levels have risen by c.10 cm (4“) since 1990, and the rate is now accelerating to >4 mm / year.
Watch out #NewYork #London #Bangkok #Tokyo #Shanghai...
What's our long-term strategy for coastal cities: protection, mitigation, denial of risk?
#climatechange
January 26, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Population estimates for Buff-breasted Sandpipers in this study are 10x higher than previously agreed global estimates, which makes sense given that it was difficult to explain its relative frequency as a vagrant to the Western Palearctic... #Ornithology ##UKBIRDING
January 25, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Population estimates for Buff-breasted Sandpipers in this study are 10x higher than previously agreed global estimates, which makes sense given that it was difficult to explain its relative frequency as a vagrant to the Western Palearctic... #Ornithology ##UKBIRDING
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Brazil has appointed Joao Paulo Capobianco, Exec. Sec. of the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change, as President of #CMSCOP15.
This will be the first time Brazil hosts a CMS COP and a key moment to advance ecological connectivity and safeguard migratory wildlife: www.gov.br/mma/pt-br/no...
This will be the first time Brazil hosts a CMS COP and a key moment to advance ecological connectivity and safeguard migratory wildlife: www.gov.br/mma/pt-br/no...
January 23, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Brazil has appointed Joao Paulo Capobianco, Exec. Sec. of the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change, as President of #CMSCOP15.
This will be the first time Brazil hosts a CMS COP and a key moment to advance ecological connectivity and safeguard migratory wildlife: www.gov.br/mma/pt-br/no...
This will be the first time Brazil hosts a CMS COP and a key moment to advance ecological connectivity and safeguard migratory wildlife: www.gov.br/mma/pt-br/no...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Now online in Journal of #Ornithology
Open access
Male and female Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa bohaii show differences in habitat use and daily rhythms during spring staging in China
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Open access
Male and female Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa bohaii show differences in habitat use and daily rhythms during spring staging in China
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Male and female Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa bohaii show differences in habitat use and daily rhythms during spring staging in China - Journal of Ornithology
Sexual dimorphism in body size among shorebirds is typically linked to reproductive roles, yet such differences may also lead to ecological differences during the remainder of the annual cycle. Here, ...
link.springer.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Now online in Journal of #Ornithology
Open access
Male and female Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa bohaii show differences in habitat use and daily rhythms during spring staging in China
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Open access
Male and female Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa bohaii show differences in habitat use and daily rhythms during spring staging in China
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Classic agricultural methods boosting biodiversity!
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
January 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Classic agricultural methods boosting biodiversity!
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
✨New paper!✨
An individual‐based model to quantify the non‐breeding season impact of wind farms on #seabirds
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
@seatrackscience.bsky.social
@signecd.bsky.social
@masden.bsky.social
An individual‐based model to quantify the non‐breeding season impact of wind farms on #seabirds
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
@seatrackscience.bsky.social
@signecd.bsky.social
@masden.bsky.social
An individual‐based model to quantify the non‐breeding season impact of wind farms on seabirds
A novel individual-based model to predict the impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds during the non-breeding season, using long-term tracking data from SEATRACK. We demonstrate the model by simul...
doi.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:27 PM
✨New paper!✨
An individual‐based model to quantify the non‐breeding season impact of wind farms on #seabirds
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
@seatrackscience.bsky.social
@signecd.bsky.social
@masden.bsky.social
An individual‐based model to quantify the non‐breeding season impact of wind farms on #seabirds
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
@seatrackscience.bsky.social
@signecd.bsky.social
@masden.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
We welcome a new BirdLife Partner in Chile – Red de Observadores de Aves y Vida Silvestre (ROC)!🦅
With strong roots in citizen science and conservation, ROC joins our global network to strengthen action for birds and nature across the Americas🌎
Read the full story👉 www.birdlife.org/news/2026/01...
With strong roots in citizen science and conservation, ROC joins our global network to strengthen action for birds and nature across the Americas🌎
Read the full story👉 www.birdlife.org/news/2026/01...
January 21, 2026 at 4:46 PM
We welcome a new BirdLife Partner in Chile – Red de Observadores de Aves y Vida Silvestre (ROC)!🦅
With strong roots in citizen science and conservation, ROC joins our global network to strengthen action for birds and nature across the Americas🌎
Read the full story👉 www.birdlife.org/news/2026/01...
With strong roots in citizen science and conservation, ROC joins our global network to strengthen action for birds and nature across the Americas🌎
Read the full story👉 www.birdlife.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Trump has been in office for one year. We at @nature.com did a deep dive looking at the administration's disruption of science in numbers.
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Trump has been in office for one year. We at @nature.com did a deep dive looking at the administration's disruption of science in numbers.
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
If there wasn't already enough reason to say Sulawesi isn't one of the most amazing places on Earth. Along comes this.
67,000 years old!
- Oldest cave painting could rewrite origins of human creativity
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
67,000 years old!
- Oldest cave painting could rewrite origins of human creativity
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Oldest cave painting could rewrite origins of human creativity
A stencilled outline of a hand found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi is the world's oldest known cave painting, researchers say.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 7:42 PM
If there wasn't already enough reason to say Sulawesi isn't one of the most amazing places on Earth. Along comes this.
67,000 years old!
- Oldest cave painting could rewrite origins of human creativity
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
67,000 years old!
- Oldest cave painting could rewrite origins of human creativity
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
One of at least 84 Yellow-breasted Buntings near Bangkok's main international airport this morning.
January 11, 2026 at 6:24 AM
One of at least 84 Yellow-breasted Buntings near Bangkok's main international airport this morning.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Using GPS telemetry, male black-tailed godwits used mudflats and adjacent saltworks, females a wider array of habitats. Females showed high foraging activity on small arthropod prey in rice fields & saltworks, compared to males eating larger polychaetes on mudflats.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
January 22, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Using GPS telemetry, male black-tailed godwits used mudflats and adjacent saltworks, females a wider array of habitats. Females showed high foraging activity on small arthropod prey in rice fields & saltworks, compared to males eating larger polychaetes on mudflats.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗹𝗹!🌊
Our Portuguese partner SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves) has updated and revised the Audouin’s Gull Species Action Plan, a key step forward for the conservation of this vulnerable seabird.
Our Portuguese partner SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves) has updated and revised the Audouin’s Gull Species Action Plan, a key step forward for the conservation of this vulnerable seabird.
January 23, 2026 at 10:02 AM
𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗹𝗹!🌊
Our Portuguese partner SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves) has updated and revised the Audouin’s Gull Species Action Plan, a key step forward for the conservation of this vulnerable seabird.
Our Portuguese partner SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves) has updated and revised the Audouin’s Gull Species Action Plan, a key step forward for the conservation of this vulnerable seabird.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
For years, experts have warned that nature loss would become a security threat.
Now a national security assessment confirms it: biodiversity collapse risks food shortages, economic instability and global disorder.
Nature underpins our global safety. So why is UK Government failing to protect it?
Now a national security assessment confirms it: biodiversity collapse risks food shortages, economic instability and global disorder.
Nature underpins our global safety. So why is UK Government failing to protect it?
January 21, 2026 at 11:50 AM
For years, experts have warned that nature loss would become a security threat.
Now a national security assessment confirms it: biodiversity collapse risks food shortages, economic instability and global disorder.
Nature underpins our global safety. So why is UK Government failing to protect it?
Now a national security assessment confirms it: biodiversity collapse risks food shortages, economic instability and global disorder.
Nature underpins our global safety. So why is UK Government failing to protect it?
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Our new paper led by Madson Freitas shows that global demand for Açaí, a dietary staple for Amazonian people, now marketed as a superfood, is driving widespread estuarine forest degradation leading to impoverishment of their bird communities
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #ornithology 🌎🍴🪶🌴
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #ornithology 🌎🍴🪶🌴
January 21, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Our new paper led by Madson Freitas shows that global demand for Açaí, a dietary staple for Amazonian people, now marketed as a superfood, is driving widespread estuarine forest degradation leading to impoverishment of their bird communities
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #ornithology 🌎🍴🪶🌴
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #ornithology 🌎🍴🪶🌴
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Chemical analysis of a substance found on Stone Age arrowheads just moved the date of humans using poisons to hunt back over 50,000 years, challenging our ideas of Pleistocene-era human intelligence and technology.
My latest, for @chemistryworld.com: www.chemistryworld.com/news/prehist...
My latest, for @chemistryworld.com: www.chemistryworld.com/news/prehist...
Prehistoric humans hunted with poisoned arrows thousands of years earlier than thought
Deadly plant alkaloids discovered on 60,000-year-old arrowheads
www.chemistryworld.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Chemical analysis of a substance found on Stone Age arrowheads just moved the date of humans using poisons to hunt back over 50,000 years, challenging our ideas of Pleistocene-era human intelligence and technology.
My latest, for @chemistryworld.com: www.chemistryworld.com/news/prehist...
My latest, for @chemistryworld.com: www.chemistryworld.com/news/prehist...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
1/2 Curlew – wonderfully charismatic, desperately threatened and in need of urgent action if they are to remain part of our landscape. That’s why the launch of the UK Curlew Species Action Plan yesterday in the House of Lords is so important. #Ornithology #Curlew
January 20, 2026 at 12:20 PM
1/2 Curlew – wonderfully charismatic, desperately threatened and in need of urgent action if they are to remain part of our landscape. That’s why the launch of the UK Curlew Species Action Plan yesterday in the House of Lords is so important. #Ornithology #Curlew
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
An across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security
This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.
www.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 6:15 PM
An across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
🚨We're seeking information on Globally Threatened Birds!🚨
We collate up-to-date information used to evaluate the classification of each bird species on the IUCN Red List.🦜
Our team have opened discussions for 90 species until 25 January.🗺️
Contribute here👉 forums.birdlife.org/red-list-cha...
We collate up-to-date information used to evaluate the classification of each bird species on the IUCN Red List.🦜
Our team have opened discussions for 90 species until 25 January.🗺️
Contribute here👉 forums.birdlife.org/red-list-cha...
January 19, 2026 at 12:14 PM
🚨We're seeking information on Globally Threatened Birds!🚨
We collate up-to-date information used to evaluate the classification of each bird species on the IUCN Red List.🦜
Our team have opened discussions for 90 species until 25 January.🗺️
Contribute here👉 forums.birdlife.org/red-list-cha...
We collate up-to-date information used to evaluate the classification of each bird species on the IUCN Red List.🦜
Our team have opened discussions for 90 species until 25 January.🗺️
Contribute here👉 forums.birdlife.org/red-list-cha...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
In Nature Communications, our paper led by Viktoriia Radchuk shows that phenological change mediates global vertebrate responses to temperature. The study compiles 213 time series of phenotypes and population sizes, including data from Bylot. Read: urls.fr/w7ZKp9 @natcomms.nature.com 🧪🌿🌎🌐🦉🦑🦊🐻❄️
January 14, 2026 at 4:20 PM
In Nature Communications, our paper led by Viktoriia Radchuk shows that phenological change mediates global vertebrate responses to temperature. The study compiles 213 time series of phenotypes and population sizes, including data from Bylot. Read: urls.fr/w7ZKp9 @natcomms.nature.com 🧪🌿🌎🌐🦉🦑🦊🐻❄️
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
While most black-tailed godwits make at least 1 stop around the Mediterranean on their way south, two youngsters found their way to Senegal in single non-stop flights. W1WCCG really took our breath away. This first-time traveller covered >4700km to Senegal in 50 hrs.
www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
www.birdeyes.org
January 19, 2026 at 4:28 PM
While most black-tailed godwits make at least 1 stop around the Mediterranean on their way south, two youngsters found their way to Senegal in single non-stop flights. W1WCCG really took our breath away. This first-time traveller covered >4700km to Senegal in 50 hrs.
www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
📢 We're looking for a PhD student to focus on habitat use of wintering Curlew in and around coastal SPAs. Apply now ➡️ bit.ly/CurlewPhD
The student will be based at @ljmuofficial.bsky.social and BTO, starting in October 2026 for four years.
📆 Deadline to apply: Wednesday 18 February #Ornithology
The student will be based at @ljmuofficial.bsky.social and BTO, starting in October 2026 for four years.
📆 Deadline to apply: Wednesday 18 February #Ornithology
January 19, 2026 at 4:20 PM
📢 We're looking for a PhD student to focus on habitat use of wintering Curlew in and around coastal SPAs. Apply now ➡️ bit.ly/CurlewPhD
The student will be based at @ljmuofficial.bsky.social and BTO, starting in October 2026 for four years.
📆 Deadline to apply: Wednesday 18 February #Ornithology
The student will be based at @ljmuofficial.bsky.social and BTO, starting in October 2026 for four years.
📆 Deadline to apply: Wednesday 18 February #Ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
#MolluscMonday Neither nautiloid nor ammonite, this is an early ammonoid, Timanites keyserlingi (Order Agoniatitida) of Devonian age. The large body chamber in this specimen is sediment-filled, whereas the chambers forming the phragmocone are infilled with calcite.
January 19, 2026 at 7:56 AM
#MolluscMonday Neither nautiloid nor ammonite, this is an early ammonoid, Timanites keyserlingi (Order Agoniatitida) of Devonian age. The large body chamber in this specimen is sediment-filled, whereas the chambers forming the phragmocone are infilled with calcite.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
I went #snorkeling today I saw a #littlegrebe floating around a bit as I floated towards it driven by the wind. It took no notice of me.
Then it dove right in front of me.
youtu.be/aFQQ87yGwX4?... #birds #waterfowl #diving
Then it dove right in front of me.
youtu.be/aFQQ87yGwX4?... #birds #waterfowl #diving
De duikende dodaar
YouTube video by Axel “PBHBOS” G
youtu.be
January 17, 2026 at 8:48 PM
I went #snorkeling today I saw a #littlegrebe floating around a bit as I floated towards it driven by the wind. It took no notice of me.
Then it dove right in front of me.
youtu.be/aFQQ87yGwX4?... #birds #waterfowl #diving
Then it dove right in front of me.
youtu.be/aFQQ87yGwX4?... #birds #waterfowl #diving