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
This is one of the last known images of the now extinct Slender-billed Curlew taken by Chris Gomersall in 1995.
Chris will kindly be donating £10 from every print sold to Curlew Action.
Find out more and purchase yours now: www.chrisgomersall.co.uk/slender-bill...
Chris will kindly be donating £10 from every print sold to Curlew Action.
Find out more and purchase yours now: www.chrisgomersall.co.uk/slender-bill...
November 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This is one of the last known images of the now extinct Slender-billed Curlew taken by Chris Gomersall in 1995.
Chris will kindly be donating £10 from every print sold to Curlew Action.
Find out more and purchase yours now: www.chrisgomersall.co.uk/slender-bill...
Chris will kindly be donating £10 from every print sold to Curlew Action.
Find out more and purchase yours now: www.chrisgomersall.co.uk/slender-bill...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Meeting adjourned! 🤝
#AEWAMOP9 concluded in Bonn with the adoption of 11 new resolutions aimed at reducing pressures on migratory waterbirds and strengthening conservation action across the African-Eurasian flyways. 🌏
Learn more about key outcomes & decisions: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/un-w...
#AEWAMOP9 concluded in Bonn with the adoption of 11 new resolutions aimed at reducing pressures on migratory waterbirds and strengthening conservation action across the African-Eurasian flyways. 🌏
Learn more about key outcomes & decisions: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/un-w...
November 14, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Meeting adjourned! 🤝
#AEWAMOP9 concluded in Bonn with the adoption of 11 new resolutions aimed at reducing pressures on migratory waterbirds and strengthening conservation action across the African-Eurasian flyways. 🌏
Learn more about key outcomes & decisions: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/un-w...
#AEWAMOP9 concluded in Bonn with the adoption of 11 new resolutions aimed at reducing pressures on migratory waterbirds and strengthening conservation action across the African-Eurasian flyways. 🌏
Learn more about key outcomes & decisions: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/un-w...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Great to see @cateden91.bsky.social's first PhD paper, showing for first time how rivers/freshwater supports Spotted Flycatchers, a declining woodland bird, by subsidising their diet with energy-rich invertebrates. We should be re-wetting the woodlands and re-wooding the rivers! #ornithology
Super excited to share the first paper from my PhD! 🎉
We found that rivers don’t just matter for wetland birds - they also help support terrestrial insectivores, thanks to the flow of energy and nutrients from aquatic insects. 🌊🦟
Read more here: 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
We found that rivers don’t just matter for wetland birds - they also help support terrestrial insectivores, thanks to the flow of energy and nutrients from aquatic insects. 🌊🦟
Read more here: 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Cross-system transfer of fatty acids from aquatic insects supports terrestrial insectivore condition and reproductive success - Oecologia
Cross-system fluxes of aquatic insects rich in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LC-PUFAs), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may subsidise ins...
link.springer.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Great to see @cateden91.bsky.social's first PhD paper, showing for first time how rivers/freshwater supports Spotted Flycatchers, a declining woodland bird, by subsidising their diet with energy-rich invertebrates. We should be re-wetting the woodlands and re-wooding the rivers! #ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
A short 🧵: one astounding thing I learned while researching TIGERS BETWEEN EMPIRES was the existence of the Willow Palisade, a 700-km wall made of interlocking trees, an extension of the Great Wall planted in NE China in the 17th century. This map shows approx. Amur tiger range in 1850. 1/9
November 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A short 🧵: one astounding thing I learned while researching TIGERS BETWEEN EMPIRES was the existence of the Willow Palisade, a 700-km wall made of interlocking trees, an extension of the Great Wall planted in NE China in the 17th century. This map shows approx. Amur tiger range in 1850. 1/9
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
On our watch.
Let us not be needing to write obituaries of and eulogies for too many more species.
More importantly, may we alive in 2025 not put more species in the extinction pipeline for future generations to have to do so.
Let us not be needing to write obituaries of and eulogies for too many more species.
More importantly, may we alive in 2025 not put more species in the extinction pipeline for future generations to have to do so.
The Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct in October 2025.
At #AEWAMOP9, delegates paid tribute to it, with this rare taxidermied specimen on view.
Read personal reflections and testimonies from those who searched for, studied, and cared deeply about it: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/reme...
At #AEWAMOP9, delegates paid tribute to it, with this rare taxidermied specimen on view.
Read personal reflections and testimonies from those who searched for, studied, and cared deeply about it: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/reme...
November 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
On our watch.
Let us not be needing to write obituaries of and eulogies for too many more species.
More importantly, may we alive in 2025 not put more species in the extinction pipeline for future generations to have to do so.
Let us not be needing to write obituaries of and eulogies for too many more species.
More importantly, may we alive in 2025 not put more species in the extinction pipeline for future generations to have to do so.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Amendment 40 to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been voted down.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Amendment 40 to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been voted down.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Putting this out there again- An INCREDIBLE accomplishment! GLOBAL CORAL PHYLOGENY! kudos to all involved!
This is an INCREDIBLE advance in our understanding of coral diversification. 🪸🎉 Fantastic new work led by @claudiavaga.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A global coral phylogeny reveals resilience and vulnerability through deep time - Nature
The most recent common ancestor of the stony coral Scleractinia dates to about 460 million years ago and was probably a solitary, heterotrophic and free-living organism.
www.nature.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Putting this out there again- An INCREDIBLE accomplishment! GLOBAL CORAL PHYLOGENY! kudos to all involved!
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
And it's not over yet.
We call on Peers to reinsert this measure into the Bill when it comes back to them.
A future where nature and people thrive together is possible. We just need the Government to listen.
We call on Peers to reinsert this measure into the Bill when it comes back to them.
A future where nature and people thrive together is possible. We just need the Government to listen.
November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
And it's not over yet.
We call on Peers to reinsert this measure into the Bill when it comes back to them.
A future where nature and people thrive together is possible. We just need the Government to listen.
We call on Peers to reinsert this measure into the Bill when it comes back to them.
A future where nature and people thrive together is possible. We just need the Government to listen.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
The Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct in October 2025.
At #AEWAMOP9, delegates paid tribute to it, with this rare taxidermied specimen on view.
Read personal reflections and testimonies from those who searched for, studied, and cared deeply about it: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/reme...
At #AEWAMOP9, delegates paid tribute to it, with this rare taxidermied specimen on view.
Read personal reflections and testimonies from those who searched for, studied, and cared deeply about it: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/reme...
November 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct in October 2025.
At #AEWAMOP9, delegates paid tribute to it, with this rare taxidermied specimen on view.
Read personal reflections and testimonies from those who searched for, studied, and cared deeply about it: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/reme...
At #AEWAMOP9, delegates paid tribute to it, with this rare taxidermied specimen on view.
Read personal reflections and testimonies from those who searched for, studied, and cared deeply about it: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/reme...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
f you have ever reported a colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, you have helped to establish connections that cross national and continental boundaries.
Here's how the Wash links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#UKbirding
Here's how the Wash links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#UKbirding
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
f you have ever reported a colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, you have helped to establish connections that cross national and continental boundaries.
Here's how the Wash links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#UKbirding
Here's how the Wash links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#UKbirding
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
New blog post.
This week, @marycolwell1 gave the eulogy to the Slender-billed Curlew at the AEWA meeting of parties in Bonn.
You can now read the eulogy on our new blog post.
www.curlewaction.org/the-bird-wit...
This week, @marycolwell1 gave the eulogy to the Slender-billed Curlew at the AEWA meeting of parties in Bonn.
You can now read the eulogy on our new blog post.
www.curlewaction.org/the-bird-wit...
November 13, 2025 at 7:00 AM
New blog post.
This week, @marycolwell1 gave the eulogy to the Slender-billed Curlew at the AEWA meeting of parties in Bonn.
You can now read the eulogy on our new blog post.
www.curlewaction.org/the-bird-wit...
This week, @marycolwell1 gave the eulogy to the Slender-billed Curlew at the AEWA meeting of parties in Bonn.
You can now read the eulogy on our new blog post.
www.curlewaction.org/the-bird-wit...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
After poisoning incidents killed ≈100 Critically Endangered Hooded Vultures, CMS & partners are working to turn the tide in The Gambia.
With authorities and local conservation teams, partners aim to strengthen local capacity to prevent & respond to wildlife poisoning: 4vultures.org/blog/interna...
With authorities and local conservation teams, partners aim to strengthen local capacity to prevent & respond to wildlife poisoning: 4vultures.org/blog/interna...
November 12, 2025 at 8:14 AM
After poisoning incidents killed ≈100 Critically Endangered Hooded Vultures, CMS & partners are working to turn the tide in The Gambia.
With authorities and local conservation teams, partners aim to strengthen local capacity to prevent & respond to wildlife poisoning: 4vultures.org/blog/interna...
With authorities and local conservation teams, partners aim to strengthen local capacity to prevent & respond to wildlife poisoning: 4vultures.org/blog/interna...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
If you have ever reported a colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, you have helped to establish connections that cross country and continental boundaries.
Here's how the Dee Estuary links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#ornithology
Here's how the Dee Estuary links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#ornithology
November 12, 2025 at 6:40 AM
If you have ever reported a colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, you have helped to establish connections that cross country and continental boundaries.
Here's how the Dee Estuary links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#ornithology
Here's how the Dee Estuary links to other sites.
Draw your local map using a ShinyApp:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
AEWA's new report is the most comprehensive assessment on threats African-Eurasian migratory waterbirds face: unsustainable hunting, infrastructure development & agricultural expansion. View in EN or FR>
Full report: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
Summary: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
Full report: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
Summary: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
November 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
AEWA's new report is the most comprehensive assessment on threats African-Eurasian migratory waterbirds face: unsustainable hunting, infrastructure development & agricultural expansion. View in EN or FR>
Full report: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
Summary: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
Full report: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
Summary: www.unep-aewa.org/en/publicati...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Want to help tell one of nature’s greatest stories? ✨
Join the team as our new Global Flyways Communications Officer and bring the wonder of bird migration to audiences worldwide. 🌍
Learn more here 🔗 birdlifeinternational.teamtailor.com/jobs/6733623...
Join the team as our new Global Flyways Communications Officer and bring the wonder of bird migration to audiences worldwide. 🌍
Learn more here 🔗 birdlifeinternational.teamtailor.com/jobs/6733623...
November 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Want to help tell one of nature’s greatest stories? ✨
Join the team as our new Global Flyways Communications Officer and bring the wonder of bird migration to audiences worldwide. 🌍
Learn more here 🔗 birdlifeinternational.teamtailor.com/jobs/6733623...
Join the team as our new Global Flyways Communications Officer and bring the wonder of bird migration to audiences worldwide. 🌍
Learn more here 🔗 birdlifeinternational.teamtailor.com/jobs/6733623...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
#AEWAMOP9 kicked off in Bonn putting migratory waterbirds front-and-center!
The 9th Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP9) to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) opened under the theme #UnitedForFlyways.
More: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/aewa...
The 9th Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP9) to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) opened under the theme #UnitedForFlyways.
More: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/aewa...
November 11, 2025 at 10:40 AM
#AEWAMOP9 kicked off in Bonn putting migratory waterbirds front-and-center!
The 9th Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP9) to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) opened under the theme #UnitedForFlyways.
More: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/aewa...
The 9th Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP9) to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) opened under the theme #UnitedForFlyways.
More: www.unep-aewa.org/en/news/aewa...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Rush hour on the shorebird highway. Point Reyes National Seashore, CA #shorebirds #birds
November 11, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Rush hour on the shorebird highway. Point Reyes National Seashore, CA #shorebirds #birds
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
New study on factors influencing collisions of Red Kite Milvus milvus with wind turbines: findings suggest that turbines with rotor diameters <90m and clearances > 60m may pose a lower relative threat to Red Kites. Read more here: doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
New study on factors influencing collisions of Red Kite Milvus milvus with wind turbines: findings suggest that turbines with rotor diameters <90m and clearances > 60m may pose a lower relative threat to Red Kites. Read more here: doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Encountering this godwit always makes me think about the changes we have both seen in the 29 years since we first met, especially the planting of non-native trees all over Iceland wadertales.wordpress.com/2022/06/18/i...
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 2:05 PM
Encountering this godwit always makes me think about the changes we have both seen in the 29 years since we first met, especially the planting of non-native trees all over Iceland wadertales.wordpress.com/2022/06/18/i...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
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 Nicola Crockford
The @ec.europa.eu confirms it has not endorsed Malta’s so-called research derogation for finch trapping, reinforcing that the previous ruling still stands.
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
European Commission confirms that finch-trapping derogation is not in line with the European Court of Justice ruling | BirdLife Malta
EU clarifies it has not endorsed Malta’s finch-trapping derogation, warning of possible legal action if EU Birds Directive rules are breached.
birdlifemalta.org
November 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The @ec.europa.eu confirms it has not endorsed Malta’s so-called research derogation for finch trapping, reinforcing that the previous ruling still stands.
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for bird flu via the forms below ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
Report dead wild birds
How to report dead wild birds.
www.gov.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for bird flu via the forms below ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
New paper shows mortality of migratory shorebirds along China’s coast from hunting, fishery bycatch and, at aquaculture sites, bird deterrence measures accounts for 1-10% of total flyway populations for 11 species & is unsustainable for several of these. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 AM
New paper shows mortality of migratory shorebirds along China’s coast from hunting, fishery bycatch and, at aquaculture sites, bird deterrence measures accounts for 1-10% of total flyway populations for 11 species & is unsustainable for several of these. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Recently, IUCN declared the Slender Billed Curlew as extinct. The first known global bird extinction from mainland Europe, North Africa and West Asia. 🏡🧪
Reminder: around 1 million plant and animal species are at risk. - IPBES #GlobalAssessment🌍
📷Chris Gomersall
Reminder: around 1 million plant and animal species are at risk. - IPBES #GlobalAssessment🌍
📷Chris Gomersall
November 7, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Recently, IUCN declared the Slender Billed Curlew as extinct. The first known global bird extinction from mainland Europe, North Africa and West Asia. 🏡🧪
Reminder: around 1 million plant and animal species are at risk. - IPBES #GlobalAssessment🌍
📷Chris Gomersall
Reminder: around 1 million plant and animal species are at risk. - IPBES #GlobalAssessment🌍
📷Chris Gomersall