Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
wimvandenbossche.bsky.social
Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
@wimvandenbossche.bsky.social
Conservation officer BirdLife Europe & Central Asia/ no more illegal killing of birds / ❤ bird migration / ex @mijnnatuurpunt
❤ tuinvogels / NL-UK
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
“Een kwart van de onderzochte levende eenden in Nederland draagt de zeer besmettelijke vogelgriepvariant H5N1 met zich mee. Dat is het hoogste percentage besmette wilde vogels dat ooit is vastgesteld.”

www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
In Europa waren nooit eerder zoveel wilde vogels besmet met vogelgriep
Vogelgriep: In vergelijking met dezelfde periode in ‘rampjaar’ 2022 zijn dit jaar zeker twee keer zoveel wilde vogels besmet met het virus. „Dit ziet er zeker niet goed uit.”
www.nrc.nl
November 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Message from European Food Safety Authority, European Union Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, and external experts: Avian influenza in Europe: enhanced surveillance and strict biosecurity needed as detections surge
www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/avia...
Avian influenza in Europe: enhanced surveillance and strict biosecurity needed as detections surge
Between 6 September and 14 November 2025, 1,443 detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses were reported in wild birds across 26 European countries – four times higher than t...
www.efsa.europa.eu
November 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
BirdLife Malta’s scientific research and evidence-based studies have once again delivered results, securing stronger protection for vital natural sites for the benefit of our country.

#MaltaSPAs #LIFEPanPuffinus #BirdLifeMalta www.independent.com.mt/articles/202...
St Paul’s Islands and Northern Cliffs receive highest level of protection - The Malta Independent
St Paul's Islands (Selmunett) and the stretch of cliffs from iċ-Ċumnija to ix-Xaqqa have officially been declared Special Protection Areas (SPA), strengthening their existing status as
www.independent.com.mt
November 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
🌊Investigating where Swinhoe's Storm-petrels go across the north-western Pacific and Indian Oceans

🛰️Insights from geolocators recovered from four birds: doi.org/10.1017/S095...

#BirdConservation #Ornithology #Conservation #Research
#Swinhoe's #stormpetrel #seabird #tracking #migration
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Latest BirdTrack data show Woodcock arriving en masse over the the last fortnight. Sadly, Woodcock are prone to colliding with buildings while they migrate. If you find a dead Woodcock in these circumstances, please add the record to BirdTrack or email details to woodcock@bto.org

#ukbirding
November 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
In October, our Flyways Conservation Officer, Lilla Barabás, travelled to Cyprus to witness first-hand the amazing work that @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social is doing to tackle the illegal killing of birds. 💔🪶

Find out more about their amazing projects here 👉 flightforsurvival.org/fighting-for...
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Worrisome: HIghly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, likely H5N1) was reported in a poultry farm (62 thousand layer hens) in Terschuur, The Netherlands. This farm is located in the poultry-dense Gelder Valley, with 195 other poultry farms in a 10-km radius. (1/3)
www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieu...
November 18, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
French minister publicly committing to defend illegality.

Its hard to fathom how damaging this is to democracy, the rule of law, citizens' trust in institutions, the credibility of the European project.

Shameful.

www.lpo.fr/qui-sommes-n...
Le Ministre délégué chargé de la transition écologique en...
En visite dans les Landes à l’invitation de la Fédération départementale des chasseurs, Mathieu Lefevre a répété sa détermination à défendre le piégeage des...
www.lpo.fr
November 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
de vrouwelijke variant van @jogchumv.bsky.social 🤷‍♂️🥹https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3LNfatm21s
Emmy bewondert twee keer per dag ‘haar’ spreeuwen | Radio | Vroege Vogels
YouTube video by Vroege Vogels
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Job opportunity at BirdWatch Ireland! We are recruiting a PeacePlus Finance & Project Manager: the application deadline has been extended to Wednesday 19th November. For full details, see birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved.... PEACEPLUS is supported by the ERDF & the UK & Irish Governments.
PeacePlus Finance and Project Manager - BirdWatch Ireland
birdwatchireland.ie
November 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Toen we vanmorgen, zoals wel vaker bij Vogelbescherming, uit het raam naar vogels keken keken we wel héél gek op. Een smelleken op het dak! De kleine rover komt 's winters schaars voor. Meestal niet in de bebouwde kom. Wie weet kan hij toch genoeg voedsel - zangvogels - vinden. Zoals pimpelmezen? 👀
November 4, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Major Operation Leads to the Removal of Nearly 8 Kilometers of Illegal Bird-Hunting Nets in Northern Bekaa

In a major coordinated effort, the joint operations team of the Anti-Poaching Unit , in close cooperation and coordination with the Bekaa Intelligence Division of the Internal Security…
Major Operation Leads to the Removal of Nearly 8 Kilometers of Illegal Bird-Hunting Nets in Northern Bekaa
In a major coordinated effort, the joint operations team of the Anti-Poaching Unit , in close cooperation and coordination with the Bekaa Intelligence Division of the Internal Security Forces, carried out a series of specialized field missions over the past days. These missions, supported by wide information exchange and meticulous planning, resulted in the removal of approximately 7,975 meters of mass-killing nets used for illegal bird hunting across multiple areas of Northern Bekaa, including Al-Qaa, Mashari‘ Al-Qaa, Arsal, Jbouleh, Al-Jdeideh, and Masa. During the operations, a large number of birds trapped in the nets were freed, while hundreds of dead birds were documented as victims of this form of mass poaching.
www.spnl.org
October 31, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Join our webinar for the launch of the African-Eurasian Flyway Initiative! ✨

The African-Eurasian Flyway is one of the world’s great migratory routes, used by over 2 billion birds, connecting ecosystems and people across Africa, Europe and Asia. 🌍

Learn more here www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...
October 31, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Black-winged Kite has bred in both Denmark and Hungary for the first time this year, continuing the species' range expansion into Central and Northern Europe:
Black-winged Kite breeds in Denmark and Hungary for the first time
Black-winged Kite has bred in Denmark and Hungary for the very first time this year, marking a significant northward advance for the striking raptor. Breeding was recorded in Hungary in the country's south-east region. Two chicks hatched and subsequently fledged from an initial clutch of four eggs. Meanwhile, the first Danish breeding record has occurred. A pair was recorded exhibiting nesting behaviour, including nest-building and mating, in central Jutland in September.
bit.ly
October 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Highly pathogenic avian influenza kills more than thousand Eurasian cranes in the German state of Brandenburg. Crane mortality also recorded in states of Thüringen, Sachsen-Anhalt und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
October 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Berwick Bank could kill more birds than any other windfarm on Earth, devastating colonies of Gannets, Puffins and Kittiwakes off Scotland’s coast. 🚨

We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
Add your voice to a campaign to stop an offshore wind farm that threatens seabirds
YouTube video by RSPB
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
What the duck?

Keith Betton, a lifelong bird stamp collector, laments Royal Mail's disappointing 2025 set of British wildfowl stamps:
Keith Betton: what the duck?
Royal Mail's 2025 'Duck Stamps' have irked birdwatchers, with collectors disappointed by the inclusion of farmyard breeds such as Aylesbury and Indian Runner instead of iconic British wild duck such as Garganey, Eurasian Teal and Common Goldeneye. Once renowned for high-quality stamp designs by leading bird artists, this latest set is being criticised as a missed opportunity to celebrate the nation's important and declining wildfowl.
bit.ly
October 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
The structure of the annual migratory flight activity in a songbird | royalsocietypublishi... | Proceedings of the Royal Society B | #ornithology 🪶
October 16, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
🦅 Nearly 50% of Bearded Vulture territories in southern Africa have been abandoned. Human impacts, power lines & settlements, are key drivers, with food shortages adding pressure. Protecting them means tackling these threats head-on. doi.org/10.1650/COND... #VultureConservation #AfricanOrnithology
Anthropogenic activities influence the abandonment of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) territories in southern Africa
Abstract. Developing an effective conservation strategy for a critically endangered species relies on identifying the most pressing threats to the species.
doi.org
October 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
🚨 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🚨

This is a critical moment. Several major EU laws – regarding energy transition - are implemented.

The EU is on course for a 54% climate emissions cut by 2030, but none of the specific biodiversity goals are currently on track.
October 15, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
🚨2025 #RedList Update🚨

We have reassessed 1,360 bird species. Out of the 11,185 species assessed worldwide: 

⚠️11.5% are globally threatened.

📉61% have declining populations.

But restoring habitats will help put these species on a path to recovery.🌱

Read more👉 www.birdlife.org/red-list-upd...
October 10, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Reposted by Willem (Wim) Van den Bossche
Tens of millions of essentially factory farmed poultry are dumped into the countryside each year. They boost the population of mesopredators like foxes, reducing ground nesting bird populations. They are an obvious avian flue hazard. They eat declining reptiles. Turn out they're also a health hazard
Ticks are more likely to carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease in areas where Common Pheasants Phasianus colchicus are released, according to new research.

Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
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October 9, 2025 at 12:14 PM