Richard D. Gregory
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richgreg3.bsky.social
Richard D. Gregory
@richgreg3.bsky.social
Professor, Ecologist, Conservationist, Ornithologist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science & Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London - #biodiversity #conservation #ornithology #stateofnature – birder - views my own
Pinned
NEW Decline of European bird populations continues especially birds of farmland. Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS) presents updated wild bird indices 1980–2023. Data = 168 bird species 30 countries⬇️ @rspb.bsky.social @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social @ec.europa.eu @uclcber.bsky.social 📉🐦
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
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
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
The latest report from the RBBP, Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023, is out now in British Birds. It reports on the 104 species and races of rare breeding birds recording breeding, or showing signs of breeding, in 2023. Read the summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ornithology #ukbirds 🧵[1/15]
November 4, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
I've been pretty quiet here lately, trying to cut down on doomscrolling for the sake of my mental health... BUT I have a new story out at @therevelator.org, on how climate change is contributing to bird population declines in multiple biomes around the world. #birds 🪶🌏
Studies: Extreme Weather Fueled by Climate Change Is Adding to Bird Declines • The Revelator
Scientists have typically pointed to habitat loss as the key factor behind the worldwide drop in bird populations worldwide, but climate change poses a second, closely linked threat.
therevelator.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
Our team analysed the correlation of N deposition with numbers of territories of 112 Swiss breeding birds species. Insectivous and herbivorous species were more negatively associated with N deposistion, as well as ground-nesting species. Read more here: doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
October 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
Europe's Insect-Eating Birds Reveal a Hidden Crisis in the Food Chain www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/E...
Europe's Insect-Eating Birds Reveal a Hidden Crisis in the Food Chain
New research shows that beetles and grasshoppers underpin bird diets – and their decline could spell disaster for species already in trouble
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
Public write up of our recent @consletters.bsky.social paper.

"Our results were clear: across both countries, our experts judged that #political will and #law enforcement were by far the most important factors for protecting #forests...

theconversation.com/protecting-b...
Protecting Brazil and Indonesia’s tropical forests requires political will, law enforcement and public pressure
How Brazil and Indonesia have cut down on deforestation.
theconversation.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Good question......................
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
October 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
Say we get a far right government

that undermines & misuses science?

Do academics continue to argue that they just do the science, & it’s not for them to advocate

even while their research is thrown on the scrapheap?
October 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
The UK is among the most nature depleted counties in the world. A horrendous fact. Can you help reverse this by donating some cash to help the Wildlife Trusts buy the enormous Rothbury Estate so they can bring back wildlife? www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...
Donate to Secure the Rothbury Estate | The Wildlife Trusts
Stretching over 3,800 hectares, the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland is abundant with opportunity. It’s the largest continuous area of land to appear on the market in 50 years. Its sale creates a uni...
www.wildlifetrusts.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:59 AM
💨 🦅 Every so often #RedKites die in collisions with #WindTurbines. A study funded by the SNSF shows when and where this happens and what might help.

For more info 👉 https://sohub.io/n7yf
October 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
NEW PAPER: Artificial nest boxes trap more heat than natural burrows, pushing little penguins beyond safe thermal limits. As temperatures increase, nest box design improvements are critical to prevent population declines.

➡️ vist.ly/4bz8w

#ornithology #birds #climate 🪶
October 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
Almost a third of UK Hawfinches used artificial birdfood when available, with implications for disease transmission.

Investigating supplementary food use of UK Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes populations using DNA metabarcoding doi.org/10.1080/0006...
#BirdStudy #ornithology
October 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys url: academic.oup.com/condor/artic...
Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys
Abstract. Point counts are integral to bird population monitoring, and multiple methods have been developed to improve their reliability. These methods inc
academic.oup.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
'“well over” 1,000 dead cranes have been found “in a short period of time” at a major resting place in Linum, Germany. “We have been working with many volunteers in managing this bird migration gathering place for 25 years & have never experienced anything like this,”'

www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
Germany: Never experienced anything like this”: Avian flu devastating crane populations, experts say
Global News Video Scientists in Germany are warning about the devastating impact the avian flu is having on migrating crane populations across Europe. Norbert Schneeweiss, a biologist who heads the…
www.unmc.edu
October 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
Come work with me!
October 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Heathland Birds Survey! 🙌

All remaining survey returns are urgently required, before 30th November, to inform future conservation action. If you need any help submitting your records please email heathlandbirds@bto.org. Thank you!
October 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
How can we bend the curve of #biodiversity loss to build a just and sustainable future? 🏡

Read the Royal Society Publishing special issue of #PhilTransB: ‘Bending the curve towards nature recovery: building on Georgina Mace's legacy for a biodiverse future’.🌍

🧪 http://ow.ly/QCmj50UE5Kg
October 15, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Richly deserved - you couldn’t find a nicer bird man 🐦
Our Dilys Breese Medal winner is Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social! Julian is editor of the Welsh Bird Report, Co-editor of The Birds of Wales and a dedicated birder. Taking part in many BTO surveys he uses his writing skills to regularly share BTO work, including in his BirdNotes column. 📝
October 16, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
Our Dilys Breese Medal winner is Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social! Julian is editor of the Welsh Bird Report, Co-editor of The Birds of Wales and a dedicated birder. Taking part in many BTO surveys he uses his writing skills to regularly share BTO work, including in his BirdNotes column. 📝
October 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Richard D. Gregory
This was a lovely surprise and honour, to receive the 2025 Marsh Award for Ornithology from the British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social, at this evening’s opening of the Society of Wildlife Artists’ annual exhibition.
The Marsh Award for Ornithology goes to Dr. Rob Thomas! @robthomasbirds.bsky.social has made a huge contribution to ornithology through academic research, teaching & mentorship that’s inspired generations of students. He’s also published a monograph on the Storm-petrels. @marshawards.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 10:11 PM
October 14, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Great new🗒️'Observer species preferences [in citizen science bird surveys] lead to biased initiation of surveys & consequent overreporting of some species.' Where then does this take temporal change? 🐦
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/Q3VU2S...
Detections of Rare Species Lead Citizen Scientists to Initiate Data Recording
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onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM