The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
@ukrbbp.bsky.social
We encourage and support the recording of rare breeding birds in the UK, collate data in order to report annually on their numbers, trends and distribution, and maintain a secure archive to support conservation and research on these species.
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4/Roseate Tern numbers fell from 154 pairs in 2022 to 118 in 2023 following deaths of 90 adults from bird flu in the 2022 breeding season. Although breeding numbers were lower than prior to bird flu, there are signs of hope with 2024 representing the second most successful breeding season on record.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
4/Roseate Tern numbers fell from 154 pairs in 2022 to 118 in 2023 following deaths of 90 adults from bird flu in the 2022 breeding season. Although breeding numbers were lower than prior to bird flu, there are signs of hope with 2024 representing the second most successful breeding season on record.
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3/ However, there’s also some concerning news from the report. In northern Scotland, numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to just 16 pairs, the lowest total since the @ukrbbp.bsky.social began reporting in 1973.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
3/ However, there’s also some concerning news from the report. In northern Scotland, numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to just 16 pairs, the lowest total since the @ukrbbp.bsky.social began reporting in 1973.
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2/A pair of Temminck’s Stint laid four eggs in 2023 but sadly the nest was washed out by rising water levels.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
2/A pair of Temminck’s Stint laid four eggs in 2023 but sadly the nest was washed out by rising water levels.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
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1/🧵 Two bird species bred in the UK in 2023 for the first time since the 1990s!
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
1/🧵 Two bird species bred in the UK in 2023 for the first time since the 1990s!
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
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1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM
1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
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Our paper in December's @britishbirds.bsky.social describes success in using sound recording for detecting Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. We found Lesser Spots still present in woodlands where they have not been seen/heard for years. This is very exciting www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Woodpecker Network - Acoustic Monitoring for detection of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers
A forum to encourage and facilitate the study of woodpeckers in Britain and Ireland
www.woodpecker-network.org.uk
December 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Our paper in December's @britishbirds.bsky.social describes success in using sound recording for detecting Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. We found Lesser Spots still present in woodlands where they have not been seen/heard for years. This is very exciting www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
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NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Mediterranean Gull, Mark Eaton
The RBBP collects data and reports upon all native species with UK breeding populations of fewer than 2,000 pairs. In addition, s...
rbbp.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Mediterranean Gull, Mark Eaton
The RBBP collects data and reports upon all native species with UK breeding populations of fewer than 2,000 pairs. In addition, s...
rbbp.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
Thank you, Ian! We're really going to miss you on the panel - your broad knowledge of birds and habitats, questioning mind and great company have made you a wonderful person to work with.
After 25 years on the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, Dr Ian Francis stepped down last week. Ian has made an amazing contribution to the RBBP’s work, and he will be missed hugely. However, we hope this will give him more time to find rare breeding birds in Northeast Scotland and elsewhere!
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Thank you, Ian! We're really going to miss you on the panel - your broad knowledge of birds and habitats, questioning mind and great company have made you a wonderful person to work with.
After 25 years on the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, Dr Ian Francis stepped down last week. Ian has made an amazing contribution to the RBBP’s work, and he will be missed hugely. However, we hope this will give him more time to find rare breeding birds in Northeast Scotland and elsewhere!
November 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
After 25 years on the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, Dr Ian Francis stepped down last week. Ian has made an amazing contribution to the RBBP’s work, and he will be missed hugely. However, we hope this will give him more time to find rare breeding birds in Northeast Scotland and elsewhere!
We are saddened to hear of the death of Patrick Stirling-Aird, who for many decades was a leading light in the monitoring and conservation of raptors. It was a honour to work with Patrick on the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme; we will miss him immensely. raptormonitoring.org/about-the-sr...
November 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
We are saddened to hear of the death of Patrick Stirling-Aird, who for many decades was a leading light in the monitoring and conservation of raptors. It was a honour to work with Patrick on the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme; we will miss him immensely. raptormonitoring.org/about-the-sr...
The Rare Breeding Birds Panel hard at work during their annual in-person meeting, at Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland, today.
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The Rare Breeding Birds Panel hard at work during their annual in-person meeting, at Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland, today.
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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
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
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The most recent report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel celebrates the return of two long-absent breeding species and record totals for others, though some birds continue to decline:
RBBP report: Hoopoe and Temminck's Stint breed in UK for first time in 30 years
The latest Rare Breeding Birds Panel report has revealed that, in 2023, Hoopoe and Temminck's Stint bred in the UK for the first time since the 1990s, alongside record totals for several expanding species. On the other hand, other rare breeders continued to decline.
bit.ly
November 9, 2025 at 7:16 AM
The most recent report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel celebrates the return of two long-absent breeding species and record totals for others, though some birds continue to decline:
The new RBBP report shows that some northern species are struggling. Numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to just 16 pairs in 2023, the lowest total we have ever reported. There were only six pairs of Redwings, and no breeding Fieldfares at all. Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #UKbirding
November 8, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The new RBBP report shows that some northern species are struggling. Numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to just 16 pairs in 2023, the lowest total we have ever reported. There were only six pairs of Redwings, and no breeding Fieldfares at all. Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #UKbirding
We’re delighted to welcome a new independent member to the RBBP, Jenny Weston. Jenny is a Senior Species Recovery officer for the RSPB, and in her spare time (amongst many things) she’s an active member of the North East of Scotland Raptor Study Group, and an A permit and ringing trainer.
November 7, 2025 at 12:01 PM
We’re delighted to welcome a new independent member to the RBBP, Jenny Weston. Jenny is a Senior Species Recovery officer for the RSPB, and in her spare time (amongst many things) she’s an active member of the North East of Scotland Raptor Study Group, and an A permit and ringing trainer.
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
The most recent report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel celebrates the return of two long-absent breeding species and record totals for others, though some birds continue to decline:
RBBP report: Hoopoe and Temminck's Stint breed in UK for first time in 30 years
The latest Rare Breeding Birds Panel report has revealed that, in 2023, Hoopoe and Temminck's Stint bred in the UK for the first time since the 1990s, alongside record totals for several expanding species. On the other hand, other rare breeders continued to decline.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The most recent report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel celebrates the return of two long-absent breeding species and record totals for others, though some birds continue to decline:
Some good news for Friday: the new RBBP report reveals that five species of large wading bird reached record totals in 2023, including Spoonbill. See the trend since 2010 below… even the bird itself looks shocked by the increase! Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ukbirding #ornithology
November 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Some good news for Friday: the new RBBP report reveals that five species of large wading bird reached record totals in 2023, including Spoonbill. See the trend since 2010 below… even the bird itself looks shocked by the increase! Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ukbirding #ornithology
Both the Red-spotted and White-spotted races of Bluethroat try to breed in the UK occasionally but breeding has only been confirmed on five occasions, in 1968, 85, 95, 2016 (Red-spotted) and 1996 (White-spotted). There were single possible breeding records of both in 2023 #ukbirding #ornithology
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Both the Red-spotted and White-spotted races of Bluethroat try to breed in the UK occasionally but breeding has only been confirmed on five occasions, in 1968, 85, 95, 2016 (Red-spotted) and 1996 (White-spotted). There were single possible breeding records of both in 2023 #ukbirding #ornithology
Another species returning to breed in 2023 was Temminck's Stint; a pair laid a clutch of four eggs in Highland, although the nest was later flooded out. This tiny wader bred regularly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, but this was the first confirmed breeding since 1997 #ornithology #BirdingScotland
November 6, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Another species returning to breed in 2023 was Temminck's Stint; a pair laid a clutch of four eggs in Highland, although the nest was later flooded out. This tiny wader bred regularly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, but this was the first confirmed breeding since 1997 #ornithology #BirdingScotland
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This month's fascinating talk is about Recording Rare Breeding Birds in the UK and Essex, by Mark Eaton from the RBBP. It's streaming live on YouTube from 8pm on Friday: youtube.com/live/VlTi7GS...
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
Recording Rare Breeding Birds in the UK and Essex
YouTube video by Essex Birdwatching Society
youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:15 PM
This month's fascinating talk is about Recording Rare Breeding Birds in the UK and Essex, by Mark Eaton from the RBBP. It's streaming live on YouTube from 8pm on Friday: youtube.com/live/VlTi7GS...
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
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Hoopoes bred in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2023, the first confirmed breeding record in the UK since 1996. Here’s the family - parents and three offspring. Can you see them all? Read more about rare breeding birds in 2023 at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-...
📸 Carl Baggott
📸 Carl Baggott
November 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Hoopoes bred in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2023, the first confirmed breeding record in the UK since 1996. Here’s the family - parents and three offspring. Can you see them all? Read more about rare breeding birds in 2023 at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-...
📸 Carl Baggott
📸 Carl Baggott
Hoopoes bred in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2023, the first confirmed breeding record in the UK since 1996. Here’s the family - parents and three offspring. Can you see them all? Read more about rare breeding birds in 2023 at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-...
📸 Carl Baggott
📸 Carl Baggott
November 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Hoopoes bred in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2023, the first confirmed breeding record in the UK since 1996. Here’s the family - parents and three offspring. Can you see them all? Read more about rare breeding birds in 2023 at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-...
📸 Carl Baggott
📸 Carl Baggott
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
Our report for 2023 is out now in @britishbirds.bsky.social. There's a summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... but if you prefer to watch rather than read then here's RBBP secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social with a few key points and some lovely photos! #ornithology #ukbirds youtu.be/arj1m7NfKmY
Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023
YouTube video by Rare Breeding Birds Panel
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Our report for 2023 is out now in @britishbirds.bsky.social. There's a summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... but if you prefer to watch rather than read then here's RBBP secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social with a few key points and some lovely photos! #ornithology #ukbirds youtu.be/arj1m7NfKmY