Articles
Here you will find a wide range of birding related articles from various organisations, conservation bodies as well as individual accounts of rare bird finds and other interesting articles.
 
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RBA Daily News Summaries - Daily summaries of the news on an easy to use, searchable page
 
 
new  Weekly birding round-up: 23 - 29 June 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn rounds up this week's news from around Britain and the Western Palearctic with the first record of Short-tailed Shearwater and plenty more. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (30 Jun 2020)
 
 
Cowbirds change their eggs' sex ratio based on breeding time   (Research)
Researchers report that Brown-headed Cowbirds show a bias in the sex ratio of their offspring depending on the time of the breeding season. More here >
Written by: RBA (29 Jun 2020)
 
 
Parasites influence appearance and evolution of Barn Swallows   (Research)
Researchers think that local parasites are influencing why Barn Swallows in Europe, the Middle East and Colorado are choosing their mates differently. More here >
Written by: RBA (29 Jun 2020)
 
 
Two more Hen Harriers disappear on grouse moors in Cairngorms National Park   (Wildlife crime)
RSPB Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to move quickly to introduce the licensing of grouse shooting, following the disappearances. More here >
Written by:  (26 Jun 2020)
 
 
Overdue and never again   (Personal Account)
There remain many species that have not occurred here for decades, these species have the potential to attract just as much interest as firsts for Britain. More here >
Written by:  (26 Jun 2020)
 
 
Birding in the UK: Where Are the People Like Me?    (Personal Account)
There is a lack of diversity in the UK nature community, and it is not talked about enough. More here >
Written by:  (25 Jun 2020)
 
 
Phenomenal movement of Siskin at Tynemouth, Northumberland   (Personal Account)
Tom Tams describes an extraordinary early morning passage of Siskins over Tynemouth in Northumberland. More here >
Written by:  (25 Jun 2020)
 
 
Bird feeding helps females more than males   (Research)
A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that female birds benefit more from extra food in the winter. More here >
Written by:  (24 Jun 2020)
 
 
Albatrosses fine-tuned to wind conditions   (Research)
A new study of albatrosses has found that wind plays a bigger role in their decision to take flight than previously thought. More here >
Written by:  (24 Jun 2020)
 
 
New Raptor Officer appointed in bid to end persecution in Wales   (Wildlife crime)
The appointment, part-funded by the Welsh Government, is a pro-active step in protecting the glorious birds of prey that grace Wales' skies. More here >
Written by:  (24 Jun 2020)
 
 
UK's largest breeding colony of Arctic Terns has vanished   (Conservation News)
With no summer wardens present due to Covid-19, Peregrines have taken up residence on the island and they are believed to be the reason for the colony being abandoned. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jun 2020)
 
 
Jankowski's Bunting discovered breeding in Mongolia   (Conservation News)
The species was previously thought to be a vagrant to the country and will give conservationists fresh hope that the species can be saved from extinction. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jun 2020)
 
 
Finders-in-the-Field: Asian Desert Warbler, Holy Island June 2020   (Finders account)
Mike Carr makes an epic find on Holy Island after heading there in search of a previously reported Subalpine Warbler. More here >
Written by:  (18 Jun 2020)
 
 
National Lottery funding offers lifeline to Capercaillie    (Conservation News)
£2 million will be used to create community-led projects to help save one of the UK's rarest birds. More here >
Written by:  (17 Jun 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 9 - 15 June 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Star bird this week was Britain's 13th Asian Desert Warbler whilst the influx of Blyth's Reed Warblers and Rose-coloured Starlings continued. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
Invasive species threaten most protected areas across the world   (Conservation News)
Researchers investigated 900 'alien' species across almost 200,000 protected areas worldwide. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
Night Parrots may not see in the dead of night   (Research)
A new study has revealed the parrot's visual system is not as well-adapted to life in the dark as would be expected for a nocturnal bird. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
When fathers go missing, female songbirds take up the slack   (Research)
Deserted females effectively double their maternal efforts and completely compensate for the loss of male care. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
Where have the swans gone?   (Research)
Instead of cosying up somewhere in Britain or the Netherlands, the average Bewick's Swan is now spending winter in spots hundreds of kilometres more to the east. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
Hummingbirds see diverse colors humans can only imagine   (Research)
New field experiments allowed researchers to get a sneak peek into what the world looks like to a hummingbird. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
Wildfires cause bird songs to change   (Research)
A new study suggests that wildfires change the types of songs sung by birds living in nearby forests. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
Fledgling birds are tougher than they look   (Conservation News)
The RSPB is urging the public to resist the urge to intervene and help what appear to be abandoned fledglings. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2020)
 
 
Cherry-throated Tanager is still clinging on   (Conservation News)
The species has been teetering on the brink of extinction but new sightings have given conservationists hope. More here >
Written by:  (15 Jun 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 2 - 8 June 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
An influx of Rose-coloured Starlings and Blyth's Reed Warblers made the headlines this week. More here >
Written by:  (09 Jun 2020)
 
 
New project launched to monitor Britain's Spoonbills   (Conservation News)
A new working group has formed to collate and monitor this charismatic species more closely. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jun 2020)
 
 
Rewilding: rare birds return when livestock grazing has stopped   (Research)
This is the first experimental evidence which shows that stopping livestock grazing can increase the number of breeding upland bird species in the long term. More here >
Written by:  (05 Jun 2020)
 
 
Vital funding secured to save one of the World's rarest birds from extinction   (Conservation News)
Found on the UK Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha, there are only 100 pairs of Wilkin's Bunting left More here >
Written by:  (05 Jun 2020)
 
 
Great Indian Bustard gets new level of protection   (Conservation News)
The species has disappeared from 90% of its former range, leaving fewer than 300 birds. More here >
Written by:  (05 Jun 2020)
 
 
Finders-in-the-Field: Green Warbler, North Ronaldsay, May 2020   (Finders account)
Bird Observatory warden George Gay nets a mega rare phylloscopus warbler on North Ronaldsay. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jun 2020)
 
 
First British stork in UK in 600 years - why that's great news for British wildlife   (Conservation News)
This new generation of native British storks could be a conduit for greater public engagement with nature. More here >
Written by:  (03 Jun 2020)
 
 
WWT set to reopen centres to the public   (News)
Conservation charity WWT has announced it is to re-open its wetland centres in England to the public on Wednesday, June 10. More here >
Written by:  (03 Jun 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 27 May - 1 June 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn rounds up an excellent week for rare and scarce bird across Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (02 Jun 2020)
 
 
Electrocuted in Turkey: Vultures and other soaring birds under threat   (Conservation News)
Hazardous power lines are among the main threats for vultures, raptors and many other bird species in Turkey. Imperial Eagles, Saker Falcons and White Storks. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2020)
 
 
Northern Pintails caught in an ecological trap   (Research)
Researchers think Pintails are being 'misled' by modern cropping methods and climate change into choosing risky nesting habitat. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2020)
 
 
Antarctic penguins release an extreme amount of laughing gas   (Research)
They emit copious amounts of nitrous oxide via their faeces. So much so, that researchers went 'cuckoo' from being surrounded by it. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2020)
 
 
Shot Buzzards found concealed on a North Yorkshire grouse shooting estate   (Wildlife crime)
Police interview eight people after the grim discovery as story makes prime time news. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2020)
 
 
Protect Minsmere - Wildlife charities unite against Sizewell C   (Conservation News)
The RSPB and Suffolk Wildlife Trust say that the new Sizewell C must not go ahead if wildlife is to be protected. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2020)
 
 
Finders-in-the-Field: White-chinned Petrel, Orkney - A first for the Western Palearctic   (Finders account)
Whilst looking for Yellow wagtails and cetaceans Robert Foubister makes an unbelievable seabird discovery. More here >
Written by:  (28 May 2020)
 
 
Exhausted Osprey rescued in North Norfolk garden   (News)
A Scottish-ringed Osprey has been rescued and taken into care after being found in a Norfolk garden. More here >
Written by:  (27 May 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 19-26 May 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you news of a first for Britain and the Western Palearctic and the rest of the weeks highlights. More here >
Written by:  (26 May 2020)
 
 
Gough Island rodent eradication halted by Coronavirus   (Conservation News)
A group of conservationists stranded on one of the world's most remote islands have returned to the UK after a 12-day voyage and an RAF military flight. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2020)
 
 
Lack of insects in cities limits breeding success of urban birds   (Research)
Urban insect populations would need to increase by a factor of at least 2.5 for urban great tits to have same breeding success as those living in forests. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2020)
 
 
Headstarted godwits return to WWT Welney   (Conservation News)
This year the WWT have already recorded 27 headstarted birds arriving back in The Fens after spending the winter overseas. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2020)
 
 
RSPB reserves begin reopening as lockdown eases   (News)
A small number of reserves have opened as lockdown begins to ease and people start getting outdoors again. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2020)
 
 
Finders-in-the-Field: Solitary Sandpiper, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly   (Finders account)
Extended shore leave meant Bob Flood was at home on Scilly to find the second ever British spring Solitary Sandpiper. More here >
Written by:  (22 May 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 12-18 May 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on an excellent week for rare birds with quality finds from Shetland to Scilly and lots in-between too. More here >
Written by:  (19 May 2020)
 
 
A Bird Observatory in Lockdown   (Personal Account)
Bardsey warden Steve Stansfield charts the ups and downs of running a bird observatory during the Covid-19 pandemic. More here >
Written by:  (19 May 2020)
 
 
6,000 Endangered Steppe Eagles find refuge within refuse dumps   (Conservation News)
Conservationists in Saudi Arabia are working to make these unlikely havens safe for the birds that call them home. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2020)
 
 
Familiar Welsh birds slipping away   (Conservation News)
Species such as Wheatear and Greenfinch have seen dramatic declines in the last 20 years. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2020)
 
 
Over 7,000 sign up for BTO citizen science survey during lockdown   (Conservation News)
Since the beginning of April, over 7,000 people have joined the BTO Garden BirdWatch. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2020)
 
 
Book Review: Britain's Birds (2nd ed)   (Book review)
Andy Stoddart reviews the second edition of Britain's Birds: An identification guide to the birds of Great Britain and Ireland. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2020)
 
 
RSPB launches new Swift mapper app   (Conservation News)
The RSPB is calling on the public to help record where Swifts are nesting to help us understand where the best places are to help these amazing birds. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2020)
 
 
The Joy of Moths   (Personal Account)
Our resident moth enthusiast Will Soar introduces you to the joys of garden moth trapping. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2020)
 
 
POSTSCRIPT - The Tacumshin 'Western Sandpiper'   (Finders account)
Killian Mullarney re-identifies a stint he originally 're-identified' as a Western Sandpiper previously in the spring. More here >
Written by:  (15 May 2020)
 
 
Scops Owl shot for singing too loudly   (Wildlife crime)
The dead Scops Owl was found by children in their garden in the district of Neunkirchen, Lower Austria. More here >
Written by:  (15 May 2020)
 
 
Grouse moors raided as raptor killers take advantage of lockdown   (Wildlife crime)
The RSPB's Investigations Unit has been overrun with reports of birds of prey being illegally killed in recent weeks. More here >
Written by:  (15 May 2020)
 
 
Yellow-legged Gull adapts its annual lifecycle to human activities to get food   (Research)
A new study reveals a tight relation between the space distribution of the gulls and the human-origin resources during the year. More here >
Written by:  (12 May 2020)
 
 
Stay alert for nature - helping wildlife out of the lockdown   (Conservation News)
The RSPB have issued five simple steps to help wildlife as we ease out of lockdown and get back into the countryside. More here >
Written by:  (12 May 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 5 - 11 May 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the weeks' best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (12 May 2020)
 
 
23 Buzzards killed in mass poisoning   (Wildlife crime)
The incident in Co.Cork is the single largest poisoning of birds of prey in Ireland for decades. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2020)
 
 
Breeding Bird Survey shows alarming Greenfinch decline continues   (Conservation News)
During the last 23 years, the Greenfinch population has fallen by 64 percent. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2020)
 
 
Finders-in-the-Field: Song Sparrow, Fair Isle, April 2020   (Finders account)
David Parnaby describes finding a Song Sparrow on Fair Isle which has now hosted 5 of the 9 British records. More here >
Written by:  (07 May 2020)
 
 
Crowdfunder launched to turn old grouse moor into vast nature reserve   (Conservation News)
The ambitious plan involves a £3 million crowdfunding campaign to help purchase 10,500 acres of Langholm Moor. More here >
Written by:  (07 May 2020)
 
 
Council staff protecting Little Tern colony from quad bike damage   (Conservation News)
Denbighshire Countryside Service staff have been working at Gronant Dunes to protect the Little Tern colony. More here >
Written by:  (07 May 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 28 Apr - 4 May 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the weeks' best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (05 May 2020)
 
 
Man jailed for smuggling 1500 protected Indonesian songbirds   (Wildlife crime)
The year-long jail term is a departure from the usually low sentences meted out for wildlife crime. More here >
Written by:  (01 May 2020)
 
 
Hummingbirds show up when tropical trees fall down   (Research)
When a tree fell in the Panamanian rainforest researchers had already been studying the exact spot for over 30 years. More here >
Written by:  (01 May 2020)
 
 
Satellite-tagged red kite 'disappears' on grouse moor in North Pennines AONB   (Wildlife crime)
The young bird was fitted with a satellite tag at Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead in June 2019. More here >
Written by:  (30 Apr 2020)
 
 
The Wildlife Trusts face huge challenges during coronavirus   (Conservation News)
Valuable time is being lost to a proliferation of illegal activities such as shooting wildlife and fly tipping. More here >
Written by:  (30 Apr 2020)
 
 
Charity plea for butterfly sightings   (Conservation News)
Wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, launches plea to the public to help measure impacts of climate change. More here >
Written by:  (30 Apr 2020)
 
 
Ptarmigan use extreme method to save energy   (Research)
Ptarmigan reduce how much they spend on keeping their own immune defense system up and running during winter months. More here >
Written by:  (30 Apr 2020)
 
 
Want to help birds? Dig a pond   (Research)
Ponds are hotspots of insect life in the increasingly barren landscapes of intensive farmland. More here >
Written by:  (30 Apr 2020)
 
 
Stone-curlew rescued in Hyde, Greater Manchester   (Personal Account)
Samantha Hogan and her dad rescued the bird after hearing a strange call whilst out on a walk. More here >
Written by:  (28 Apr 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 21 - 27 Apr 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the weeks' best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (28 Apr 2020)
 
 
Juvenile Egyptian Vulture found in South Africa   (News)
Rare sighting of a juvenile in South Africa - the species is thought to be extinct in the country. More here >
Written by:  (27 Apr 2020)
 
 
Red Kites shot and killed in Powys   (Wildlife crime)
The three illegally killed birds were found in an area which is managed for pheasant shooting. More here >
Written by:  (24 Apr 2020)
 
 
Cuckoo completes 22,000 mile odyssey in record time   (News)
Aided by favourable southerly winds, Carlton II completed the last leg of his mammoth journey in record time. More here >
Written by:  (24 Apr 2020)
 
 
City Nature Challenge 24-27 April   (Conservation News)
This year the international citizen science project is open to those living outside cities and in rural areas. More here >
Written by:  (24 Apr 2020)
 
 
Helping the nation thank the NHS - a FREE wildlife holiday to Shetland   (News)
Shetland Nature is giving away 3 wildlife holidays to NHS workers. More here >
Written by:  (24 Apr 2020)
 
 
Biggest ever vulture mortality event in the world unfolds in Guinea-Bissau   (Wildlife crime)
Estimates of over 2000 Hooded Vultures poisoned to death for their body parts. More here >
Written by:  (23 Apr 2020)
 
 
Geolocators give new insights into nesting behaviour of godwits   (Research)
New info gathered using geolocators on godwits shows that traditional observation methods can lead to inaccurate data. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
Birds lower their bill temperature to prevent heat loss   (Research)
Great Tits are observed lowering bill temperature when faced with temporary food shortage. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
UK Crane population reaches its highest level for over 400 years   (Conservation News)
Latest common crane survey reveals a record-breaking 56 pairs of cranes in 2019. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 31 Mar - 6 Apr 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his regular weekly roundup of the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
BTO's Garden Birdwatch made free to non-members   (Research)
The BTO is offering membership of its Garden BirdWatch scheme for free during the COVID-19 lockdown. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
Spurn Bird Obs Launches Lockdown Auction   (Advertising feature)
Lots range in value from a few pounds to several thousand pounds - ends Apr 24th. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
Volunteers' data vital in wetland conservation   (Conservation News)
Data collected by volunteers as part of the Wetland Bird Survey play a crucial role in the designation of protected wetland sites in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
Social distancing: We should take our cues from birds   (Research)
Social distancing was initially used to describe the common observation that birds often exhibit a uniform distribution with incredibly even distances between individuals. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
Innovative birds are less vulnerable to extinction   (Research)
Ability to adopt new feeding techniques and food sources linked to a reduced risk of extinction. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2020)
 
 
National Garden Bird Survey reaches 25 years   (Conservation News)
In 1995 the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) launched a weekly garden bird survey, Garden BirdWatch (GBW), and today it is still going strong. More here >
Written by:  (21 Apr 2020)
 
 
Flamingos form firm friendships   (Research)
Flamingos form friendships that last for years, new research shows. More here >
Written by:  (21 Apr 2020)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 7 - 12 Apr 2020   (Weekly Roundup)
Highlights include Britain's 9th Song Sparrow and Ireland's 6th Western Sandpiper, Jon Dunn reports.More here >
Written by:  (14 Apr 2020)
 
 
In Quarantine with Ghost Cats   (Personal Account)
Tony Davison's search for Snow Leopard ends in a dramtaic Covid-19 quarantine in a remote Mongolian camp. More here >
Written by:  (14 Apr 2020)
 
 
Online Birders' Pub Quiz Launches   (News)
The bainchild of Ashley Saunders the online quiz is streamed live and all you need is a Twitter account to take part. More here >
Written by:  (14 Apr 2020)
 
 
Finders-in-the-Field: Western Sandpiper, Tacumshin Lake   (Finders account)
Killian Mullarney finds Ireland's sixth Western Sandpiper but the id was not an easy one, here he walks us through the identification process. More here >
Written by:  (14 Apr 2020)
 
 
Wildlife criminals taking advantage of COVID-19 crisis   (Wildlife crime)
Criminals are using the pandemic as cover for a significant increase in wildlife crime in Central and Eastern Europe. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2020)
 
 
Birds nesting in 'eggstraordinary' places   (News)
As the breeding season gets into full swing birds have been spotted nesting in unusual places. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2020)
 
 
Help save puffins during your lockdown   (Conservation News)
RSPB is asking for members of the public to join in from home in its ground-breaking project, Puffarazzi, to help to find out more about our beloved seabirds. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2020)
 
 
Surprising hearing talents in cormorants   (Research)
The Great Cormorant has more sensitive hearing under water than in air, a new study has found. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2020)
 
 
Bearded Vulture hatches in Picos de Europa for first time in nearly 70 years   (Conservation News)
A Bearded Vulture chick has hatched in Picos de Europa for the first time since the species was declared extinct there in 1956. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2020)
 
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