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
Putting this in context:
About 75% of Europe's Whimbrel breed in Iceland.
Over 50% of Europe's Dunlin.
About 50% of Europe's Golden Plover.
About 20% of Europe's Redshank.
SCARY!
#ornithology
About 75% of Europe's Whimbrel breed in Iceland.
Over 50% of Europe's Dunlin.
About 50% of Europe's Golden Plover.
About 20% of Europe's Redshank.
SCARY!
#ornithology
New Icelandic RED LIST (in Icelandic):
www.natt.is/is/frettir/2...
Country's populations of Dunlin, Golden Plover, Redshank and Whimbrel are now VULNERABLE (Threatened).
Blog in English about recent declines:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/02/20/i...
#ornithology
www.natt.is/is/frettir/2...
Country's populations of Dunlin, Golden Plover, Redshank and Whimbrel are now VULNERABLE (Threatened).
Blog in English about recent declines:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/02/20/i...
#ornithology
January 8, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Putting this in context:
About 75% of Europe's Whimbrel breed in Iceland.
Over 50% of Europe's Dunlin.
About 50% of Europe's Golden Plover.
About 20% of Europe's Redshank.
SCARY!
#ornithology
About 75% of Europe's Whimbrel breed in Iceland.
Over 50% of Europe's Dunlin.
About 50% of Europe's Golden Plover.
About 20% of Europe's Redshank.
SCARY!
#ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
What are the consequences of this cold weather for ecology? youtu.be/4mBURh0z08k?...
Frost, topography, and plant adaptation
YouTube video by Bill Sutherland's Conservation Concepts
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 7:05 AM
What are the consequences of this cold weather for ecology? youtu.be/4mBURh0z08k?...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Six roles with @rspbcymru.bsky.social to survey breeding waders in #Wales in March/April, with a particular focus on #Curlews. Closing date is 25 January.
#ConservationJobs
app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...
#ConservationJobs
app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...
Breeding Wader Surveyor (Fixed Term) | RSPB
We are looking for fieldworkers to undertake a survey of breeding wader species at sites across Wales (primarily in North Wales, Powys and Gwent). The role will be mobile, visiting a wide range of upl...
app.vacancy-filler.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Six roles with @rspbcymru.bsky.social to survey breeding waders in #Wales in March/April, with a particular focus on #Curlews. Closing date is 25 January.
#ConservationJobs
app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...
#ConservationJobs
app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Immediate actions are required to halt the decline of Eurasian Curlew across the UK and that is why Curlew Action have now published our latest action plan which you can read in full now.
www.curlewaction.org/wp-content/u...
www.curlewaction.org/wp-content/u...
January 7, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Immediate actions are required to halt the decline of Eurasian Curlew across the UK and that is why Curlew Action have now published our latest action plan which you can read in full now.
www.curlewaction.org/wp-content/u...
www.curlewaction.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As falconry has become a multimillion-dollar international industry atretching around the world, an investigation by Guardian and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism shows it is fed by a shadow industry of the smuggling and illegal capture of wild birds.”
As falconry has become a multimillion-dollar international industry atretching around the world, an investigation by Guardian and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism shows it is fed by a shadow industry of the smuggling and illegal capture of wild birds.”
How demand for elite falcons in the Middle East is driving illegal trade of British birds
Exclusive: data reveals hundreds of UK nests have been raided in the past decade amid growing appetite to own prized birds for racing and breeding
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:51 PM
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As falconry has become a multimillion-dollar international industry atretching around the world, an investigation by Guardian and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism shows it is fed by a shadow industry of the smuggling and illegal capture of wild birds.”
As falconry has become a multimillion-dollar international industry atretching around the world, an investigation by Guardian and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism shows it is fed by a shadow industry of the smuggling and illegal capture of wild birds.”
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
COP15 is coming, but what does it mean for waders? Here is a quick guide to the meeting 🧵⬇️ (1/3)
January 5, 2026 at 1:28 PM
COP15 is coming, but what does it mean for waders? Here is a quick guide to the meeting 🧵⬇️ (1/3)
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Sub-Saharan Africa has lost almost one-quarter of its pre-industrial biodiversity. To map the biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa, 200 specialists in African plants and animals were asked to estimate local species abundances. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Sub-Saharan Africa has lost almost one-quarter of its pre-industrial biodiversity
Biodiversity loss in sub-Saharan Africa has been estimated using the expertise of 200 local specialists.
www.nature.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:28 AM
Sub-Saharan Africa has lost almost one-quarter of its pre-industrial biodiversity. To map the biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa, 200 specialists in African plants and animals were asked to estimate local species abundances. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Watch how the Ape Social Mind Lab at the @isc-mj.bsky.social together with colleagues from ENES in St. Etienne and @mpicbs.bsky.social, @mpi-eva-leipzig.bsky.social, and others start to crack the chimpanzee code of vocal communication. Now on the TCP YouTube channel youtube.com/watch?v=ZIsr...
Catherine Crockford & Roman Wittig: Cracking the Chimpanzee Code
YouTube video by Tai Chimpanzee Project
youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Watch how the Ape Social Mind Lab at the @isc-mj.bsky.social together with colleagues from ENES in St. Etienne and @mpicbs.bsky.social, @mpi-eva-leipzig.bsky.social, and others start to crack the chimpanzee code of vocal communication. Now on the TCP YouTube channel youtube.com/watch?v=ZIsr...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
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
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
New Year, new book project.
@martamaziarz.bsky.social & I are writing a new Poyser monograph for @chiffchat.bsky.social on everyone's favourite forest songster: the Wood Warbler.
Decades of long-term studies from across Europe, including our own in Białowieża Forest.
#NatureWriting #Ornithology
@martamaziarz.bsky.social & I are writing a new Poyser monograph for @chiffchat.bsky.social on everyone's favourite forest songster: the Wood Warbler.
Decades of long-term studies from across Europe, including our own in Białowieża Forest.
#NatureWriting #Ornithology
January 1, 2026 at 6:07 PM
New Year, new book project.
@martamaziarz.bsky.social & I are writing a new Poyser monograph for @chiffchat.bsky.social on everyone's favourite forest songster: the Wood Warbler.
Decades of long-term studies from across Europe, including our own in Białowieża Forest.
#NatureWriting #Ornithology
@martamaziarz.bsky.social & I are writing a new Poyser monograph for @chiffchat.bsky.social on everyone's favourite forest songster: the Wood Warbler.
Decades of long-term studies from across Europe, including our own in Białowieża Forest.
#NatureWriting #Ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Long-term research in California shows many bird populations rise after moderate wildfires and stay abundant for decades.
But megafires are becoming more common, harming species reliant on old-growth forests. Smoke exposure also poses serious health risks for birds.
But megafires are becoming more common, harming species reliant on old-growth forests. Smoke exposure also poses serious health risks for birds.
How are California’s birds faring amid ever more frequent wildfires?
In the forests of the Sierra Nevada, the black-backed woodpecker is without parallel. The bird appears almost born of fire, thriving on the flames that flicker through California’s coniferous forests…
news.mongabay.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Long-term research in California shows many bird populations rise after moderate wildfires and stay abundant for decades.
But megafires are becoming more common, harming species reliant on old-growth forests. Smoke exposure also poses serious health risks for birds.
But megafires are becoming more common, harming species reliant on old-growth forests. Smoke exposure also poses serious health risks for birds.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
This photo from the Upper Test shows how important marginal vegetation is for wild brown trout 🐟 Here, we can see that a female has made her nest or "redd" (the paler patch of gravel) next to some great complex habitat 🧵 1/4
January 1, 2026 at 8:01 PM
This photo from the Upper Test shows how important marginal vegetation is for wild brown trout 🐟 Here, we can see that a female has made her nest or "redd" (the paler patch of gravel) next to some great complex habitat 🧵 1/4
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Happy New Year! 🎆
As expected, sadly, the radars once again lit up with MILLIONS of birds fleeing from #fireworks.
GIF of the @knmi.nl Herwijnen radar
See other years: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
Thread and more science below 🧪🪶
As expected, sadly, the radars once again lit up with MILLIONS of birds fleeing from #fireworks.
GIF of the @knmi.nl Herwijnen radar
See other years: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
Thread and more science below 🧪🪶
January 1, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Happy New Year! 🎆
As expected, sadly, the radars once again lit up with MILLIONS of birds fleeing from #fireworks.
GIF of the @knmi.nl Herwijnen radar
See other years: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
Thread and more science below 🧪🪶
As expected, sadly, the radars once again lit up with MILLIONS of birds fleeing from #fireworks.
GIF of the @knmi.nl Herwijnen radar
See other years: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
Thread and more science below 🧪🪶
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
As a New Year objective why not make your organisation more effective and richer? This is for conservation but the principles apply to any organisation. More details in video description. youtu.be/_EIgbrf5L7E?...
Become effective in 2026!
YouTube video by Bill Sutherland's Conservation Concepts
youtu.be
January 1, 2026 at 9:32 AM
As a New Year objective why not make your organisation more effective and richer? This is for conservation but the principles apply to any organisation. More details in video description. youtu.be/_EIgbrf5L7E?...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
On the other Dutch radar it is very clear birds are fleeing away from fireworks towards quiet places like the Wadden Sea and IJsselmeer (a huge inland lake). See the patterns of reflectivity moving towards the East/ESE.
More, including GIFs of Belgian radars, here: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
More, including GIFs of Belgian radars, here: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
January 1, 2026 at 9:32 AM
On the other Dutch radar it is very clear birds are fleeing away from fireworks towards quiet places like the Wadden Sea and IJsselmeer (a huge inland lake). See the patterns of reflectivity moving towards the East/ESE.
More, including GIFs of Belgian radars, here: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
More, including GIFs of Belgian radars, here: horizon.science.uva.nl/fireworks/
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
I saw a species of fungus that I have been looking for for years today, in the slightly unexpected location of the woodland play area at Anglesey Abbey NT. It's Cobalt Crust, Terana coerulea, a distinctive blue crust fungus found on old wood. @midsandeastnt.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I saw a species of fungus that I have been looking for for years today, in the slightly unexpected location of the woodland play area at Anglesey Abbey NT. It's Cobalt Crust, Terana coerulea, a distinctive blue crust fungus found on old wood. @midsandeastnt.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
[FOUNDER'S BRIEF - @rhettayersbutler.bsky.social]
A horizon scan led by William J. Sutherland flags 15 emerging issues that could shape biodiversity before crisis, from AI-driven monitoring and new finance to drone waste and drying soils. The value, they argue, is preparedness, not prediction.
A horizon scan led by William J. Sutherland flags 15 emerging issues that could shape biodiversity before crisis, from AI-driven monitoring and new finance to drone waste and drying soils. The value, they argue, is preparedness, not prediction.
15 forces that could reshape conservation in the next 10 years
Conservation debates are usually framed by damage already visible. Forests are cleared, fisheries decline, protected areas invaded, and budgets cut. Less attention is paid to developments that have…
news.mongabay.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
[FOUNDER'S BRIEF - @rhettayersbutler.bsky.social]
A horizon scan led by William J. Sutherland flags 15 emerging issues that could shape biodiversity before crisis, from AI-driven monitoring and new finance to drone waste and drying soils. The value, they argue, is preparedness, not prediction.
A horizon scan led by William J. Sutherland flags 15 emerging issues that could shape biodiversity before crisis, from AI-driven monitoring and new finance to drone waste and drying soils. The value, they argue, is preparedness, not prediction.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
The Earth’s “oldest living ecosystem” in West Papua Indonesia is being wiped out.
As an ecologist I see relentless loss so I try to limit my eco doom posts, when I feel it’s in a place where I / we have no control… but this will be to feed us!
What can we do? Lobby. Support sustainable food. Share.
As an ecologist I see relentless loss so I try to limit my eco doom posts, when I feel it’s in a place where I / we have no control… but this will be to feed us!
What can we do? Lobby. Support sustainable food. Share.
December 28, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The Earth’s “oldest living ecosystem” in West Papua Indonesia is being wiped out.
As an ecologist I see relentless loss so I try to limit my eco doom posts, when I feel it’s in a place where I / we have no control… but this will be to feed us!
What can we do? Lobby. Support sustainable food. Share.
As an ecologist I see relentless loss so I try to limit my eco doom posts, when I feel it’s in a place where I / we have no control… but this will be to feed us!
What can we do? Lobby. Support sustainable food. Share.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
🚨NEW paper alert🚨
Latest instalment in the #trumpetfish story: colour polymorphic individuals choose to ‘shadow’ non-predatory fishes of similar colour, gaining them a hunting advantage
Led by the wonderful @sammatchette.bsky.social
Out today in @royalsocietypublishing.org
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Latest instalment in the #trumpetfish story: colour polymorphic individuals choose to ‘shadow’ non-predatory fishes of similar colour, gaining them a hunting advantage
Led by the wonderful @sammatchette.bsky.social
Out today in @royalsocietypublishing.org
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
doi.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
🚨NEW paper alert🚨
Latest instalment in the #trumpetfish story: colour polymorphic individuals choose to ‘shadow’ non-predatory fishes of similar colour, gaining them a hunting advantage
Led by the wonderful @sammatchette.bsky.social
Out today in @royalsocietypublishing.org
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Latest instalment in the #trumpetfish story: colour polymorphic individuals choose to ‘shadow’ non-predatory fishes of similar colour, gaining them a hunting advantage
Led by the wonderful @sammatchette.bsky.social
Out today in @royalsocietypublishing.org
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
New research by Stewart, K., Venditti, C., Carmona, C.P. et al. highlights an urgent truth: protecting bird diversity requires both threat abatement & targeted recovery. Prioritizing unique species can save vital ecosystem functions. 🐦
💡Full study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02746-z
💡Full study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02746-z
December 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
New research by Stewart, K., Venditti, C., Carmona, C.P. et al. highlights an urgent truth: protecting bird diversity requires both threat abatement & targeted recovery. Prioritizing unique species can save vital ecosystem functions. 🐦
💡Full study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02746-z
💡Full study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02746-z
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Unbelievable that lead #fishing weights are still driving wildlife declines decades after we understood the threat #Ornithology
Loons are beloved across the north. Yet they’re populations are still struggling to rebound in some areas. We know what’s killing them—lead poisoning caused by sinkers left behind by fishermen. The good news is that there’s an easy fix. 🌎
Loons Losing Out
A common piece of fishing gear is threatening one of America’s most beloved bird species
www.sierraclub.org
December 26, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Unbelievable that lead #fishing weights are still driving wildlife declines decades after we understood the threat #Ornithology
Merry Cormorant and best wishes for the Happiest of New Years!
📷Linocut by Tessa Sutherland
📷Linocut by Tessa Sutherland
December 25, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Merry Cormorant and best wishes for the Happiest of New Years!
📷Linocut by Tessa Sutherland
📷Linocut by Tessa Sutherland
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Discussing the spiritual side of nature, why Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are significant, and how meaning is going being lost. Happy Christmas! youtu.be/hkn_r4DZrxY?...
The spiritual side of nature
YouTube video by Bill Sutherland's Conservation Concepts
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Discussing the spiritual side of nature, why Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are significant, and how meaning is going being lost. Happy Christmas! youtu.be/hkn_r4DZrxY?...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
House Martins are declining in Switzerland. To help them, our team conducted a study and recommend installing artificial nests withing 500m of occupied sites and using playback of conspecific vocalizations. doi.org/10.1111/csp2...
December 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
House Martins are declining in Switzerland. To help them, our team conducted a study and recommend installing artificial nests withing 500m of occupied sites and using playback of conspecific vocalizations. doi.org/10.1111/csp2...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
🌳 Woodland proximity limits benefits of conservation land management for farmland breeding waders - Where grassland breeding wader assemblages may be put at risk by tree planting, buffer zones >500 m should be implemented to mitigate the negative effect on wader species👇
buff.ly/ETYsi3y
buff.ly/ETYsi3y
December 22, 2025 at 8:41 AM