Rare Bird Alert - Article List

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.

Click on the More > link to read the article.

RBA Daily News Summaries - Daily summaries of the news on an easy to use, searchable page

Weekly birding round-up: 09 - 15 May 2025 (Weekly Roundup)

In the weekly roundup this week, Jon Dunn looks back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic, with Savannah Sparrow, Oriental Turtle Dove and Eastern Bonelli's Warbler making the headlines. More here >

Written by: Jon Dunn (16 May 2025)

Major new report reveals changing fortunes for UK's breeding birds (Conservation News)

The latest BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey report shows positive news for a range of birds but also worrying declines for others. More here >

Written by: (15 May 2025)

Vanishing vultures could have hidden costs for the planet (Research)

Falling vulture numbers in the Americas could have serious implications for public health and ecosystems, new research has found. More here >

Written by: (15 May 2025)

Manx Wildlife Trust to restore largest area of rainforest to date (Conservation News)

Isle of Man to benefit from Aviva fund for temperate rainforest recovery. More here >

Written by: (14 May 2025)

Nature charities call for proposed mega offshore windfarm to be refused (News)

Rejection of Berwick Bank would unlock a host of offshore wind projects and protect seabirds. More here >

Written by: (14 May 2025)

Acoustic monitoring data used to assess ranges of cryptic species (Research)

Archived acoustic data unveils the true range of cryptic vireo species in Alberta, showing how sound can reshape our understanding of biodiversity. More here >

Written by: (14 May 2025)

Oh they do like to be beside the seaside (Press report)

Chough spotted on a mini break along the Kent coast after a 200-year absence. More here >

Written by: (13 May 2025)

Common pesticide confirmed as mass killer of Little Corellas (Wildlife crime)

Authorities in New South Wales, Australia, have linked toxic grain to widespread poisoning of Little Corellas. More here >

Written by: (13 May 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 02 - 08 May 2025 (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic, where this week a Solitary Sandpiper was the headline bird. More here >

Written by: Jon Dunn (09 May 2025)

Sharks and rays found using offshore wind farms as habitat (Research)

A new study shows that offshore wind farms not only produce energy, but may also contribute to the protection of marine life. More here >

Written by: (08 May 2025)

Hedgehogs to be removed from Outer Hebrides: humane conservation in action (Conservation News)

The latest phase of a bold, humane conservation strategy is underway on Benbecula and South Uist, where hedgehogs are being captured and released on the Scottish mainland. More here >

Written by: (08 May 2025)

Glow-in-the-dark caterpillars set to shine a light on butterfly secrets (News)

A unique new conservation project in the Buckinghamshire countryside could be about to start a revolution in conservation. More here >

Written by: (08 May 2025)

When Honeyguides lead to snakes: new insights into a rare behaviour (Research)

In rare cases, Greater Honeyguides lead humans to snakes or carcasses and now we finally know why. More here >

Written by: (07 May 2025)

Fresh drive to eradicate invasive mink from Outer Hebrides (Conservation News)

A new project has secured vital funding for plans to protect internationally important bird populations by eradicating invasive mink from the Outer Hebrides. More here >

Written by: (07 May 2025)

Record-breaking year for UK's tallest bird (Conservation News)

Common Crane numbers have reached a new record with 30 pairs counted on RSPB nature reserves, a 20% increase on the previous highest total. More here >

Written by: (07 May 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 25 Apr - 1 May 2025 (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the WP, where this week a Cape Gull tops the bill. More here >

Written by: Jon Dunn (02 May 2025)

New storm-petrel species emerges from Wilson's shadow (Research)

A taxonomic reappraisal of Wilson's Storm-Petrel reveals a cryptic highland species in Chile - now named the Andean Storm-Petrel. More here >

Written by: (02 May 2025)

138 Hen Harriers confirmed missing or illegally killed Since 2018 (Conservation News)

Conservationists demand urgent enforcement as satellite data reveals entrenched pattern of raptor persecution. More here >

Written by: (02 May 2025)

Widespread Cormorant culling proposed by UN sparks conservation backlash (Conservation News)

BirdLife warns that scapegoating birds won't fix the deeper ecological problems afflicting freshwater ecosystems. More here >

Written by: (30 Apr 2025)

Harpy Eagle attacks tourist in Amazon rainforest (News)

To date, Harpy Eagle attacks on humans have been anecdotal, but now scientists have documented the first case of the huge raptor attacking an adult in the Amazon rainforest. More here >

Written by: (30 Apr 2025)

Life among the branches: Mistletoe's unexpected role (Research)

A Californian study reveals how parasitic plants enhance the winter ecology of bird communities in urban and natural habitats. More here >

Written by: (30 Apr 2025)

Female cavity-nesting birds are more aggressive when defending nest sites (Research)

Not all birds behave alike - and it turns out female cavity-nesters may be among the most aggressive when space is limited. More here >

Written by: (30 Apr 2025)

Urgent action needed to protect Scotland's Slavonian Grebes at Loch Ruthven (Conservation News)

Loch Ruthven's Slavonian Grebes are vanishing fast, but a new public consultation offers ordinary people a chance to be part of the solution. More here >

Written by: (29 Apr 2025)

Skis, tourists and shrinking refuges: can the Black Grouse survive? (Research)

Mounting human pressure in Europe's mountains adds urgency to conservation planning for fragile bird populations. More here >

Written by: (29 Apr 2025)

Birding Smarter Starts Here - Discover the New BirdAlertPRO Today (News)

The trusted bird news service reimagined for the field: smarter, faster, and built for how birders really bird. More here >

Written by: (25 Apr 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 18 - 24 Apr 2025 (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic where Norfolk scores county first, albeit briefly More here >

Written by: Jon Dunn (25 Apr 2025)

Storks choose mobile phone towers over trees (Research)

Findings from a two-year survey of Woollyneck Storks, highlight a puzzling reliance on mobile phone towers despite poor breeding success and frequent disturbances. More here >

Written by: (25 Apr 2025)

Birds That Babysit: The Science Behind Avian Altruism (Research)

New research from a 30-year study reveals how Long-tailed Tits build social lives centred on family and driven by limited dispersal, learned recognition and evolutionary fitness. More here >

Written by: (25 Apr 2025)

Why Pheasants could be making tick bites more dangerous (Research)

Scientists reveal that the release of non-native birds is linked to a sharp rise in disease-carrying ticks in the English countryside. More here >

Written by: (24 Apr 2025)

Sparrowhawk found dead with shotgun injuries in Inverness (Wildlife crime)

Police Scotland and RSPB Scotland are appealing for information after a Sparrowhawk was found shot in the Cradlehall area of Inverness. More here >

Written by: (24 Apr 2025)

Curlew populations recovering as invasive stoats are removed from Orkney (Conservation News)

The first Orkney wader population survey since a project began to remove stoats shows Curlew populations are increasing. More here >

Written by: RSPB (24 Apr 2025)

Rare dragonfly introduced into a hidden corner of Cumbria (Conservation News)

The introduction involves translocating larvae of the White-faced Darter from a stable donor population to Campfield Marsh. More here >

Written by: RSPB (24 Apr 2025)

Study raises concerns for Adders in Scotland (Conservation News)

The latest Scottish Adder Survey found that the reported distribution of Britain's only venomous snake shrank significantly in Scotland between 1994 and 2024. More here >

Written by: (24 Apr 2025)

UK's oldest known Oystercatchers discovered on England's East Coast Wetlands (News)

Two record-breaking Oystercatchers have been found on England's East Coast Wetlands, setting new records as the oldest of their kind in the UK. More here >

Written by: RSPB (24 Apr 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 11 - 17 Apr 2025 (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic with the wandering Booted Eagle remaining in the headlines. More here >

Written by: Jon Dunn (18 Apr 2025)

Little birds' personalities shine through their song (Research)

A new study has explored the relationship between individual personality and song complexity in wild Superb Fairy-wrens. More here >

Written by: (18 Apr 2025)

Illegal poisonings imperil European raptors and could disrupt ecosystem health (Research)

A recent comprehensive assessment on the poisoning of raptors across Europe does not yield good news, according to a new paper published in the Journal of Raptor Research. More here >

Written by: (17 Apr 2025)

European Commission gives green light to reopen hunting season for Turtle Dove (Conservation News)

The European Commission has announced EU countries may re-open the hunting season for the European Turtle Dove in parts of Western Europe, if they choose to do so. More here >

Written by: BirdLife (17 Apr 2025)

Further action to prevent deer damage approved (News)

The Scottish Government has approved a compulsory deer management control scheme for an estate in Sutherland. More here >

Written by: (17 Apr 2025)

Virus continues to threaten favourite UK garden bird (Research)

One of the UK's most popular songbirds is in rapid decline, and garden owners are being encouraged to share their sightings with researchers. More here >

Written by: BTO (17 Apr 2025)

Seabird numbers in Scotland continue to fall (Conservation News)

Scotland's seabird populations continue to decline according to new statistics published by NatureScot, although the short-term trend for some seabirds is more promising. More here >

Written by: (16 Apr 2025)

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results 2025 (News)

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results reveal Starlings drop out of UK's top three garden birds as the lowest number ever is recorded. More here >

Written by: RSPB (11 Apr 2025)

The Rare Bird Alert birding round up 4 - 10 Apr 2025 (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic with Alpine Accentors still in the headlines. More here >

Written by: Jon Dunn (11 Apr 2025)

Still Falling: The Fate of America's Birds in 2025 (Conservation News)

The 2025 State of the Birds report confirms that losses of America's birds are continuing and, while some species are stable or recovering, many more are in sharp decline. More here >

Written by: (11 Apr 2025)

Proposed Rocket Test Site Could Threaten Tropicbird Refuge (Conservation News)

The U.S. Department of the Air Force is proposing the construction of two commercial rocket landing pads on Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, home to Nearly Half the World’s Red-tailed Tropicbirds. More here >

Written by: (07 Apr 2025)

New Reserve Established in Ecuador Cloud Forest to Protect Endangered Parrot (Conservation News)

Ridgely Reserve has been established to protect the Red-faced Parrot, a very rare Neotropical species whose habitat is restricted to montane cloud forests of southern Ecuador and adjacent northern Peru. More here >

Written by: (07 Apr 2025)

Fall Migration Is the Most Dangerous Season for Warblers (Research)

Scientists with the National Audubon Society analysed 43 species of warblers and the conservation challenges they face along their migrations to better understand their population trends. More here >

Written by: (07 Apr 2025)

Half of UK butterfly species in long-term decline (Conservation News)

For the first time on record, more than half of butterfly species in the UK are now in long-term decline. More here >

Written by: (07 Apr 2025)

Police investigation launched after two Ravens found poisoned in Newry (Wildlife crime)

Police in Newry have commenced an investigation after two Ravens were confirmed to have been fatally poisoned in Poyntzpass. More here >

Written by: (07 Apr 2025)

The Rare Bird Alert birding round up 28 Mar - 3 Apr 2025 (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >

Written by: (04 Apr 2025)

New Warden Appointed at Cape Clear Bird Observatory (News)

Birdwatch Ireland have announced the appointment of a new warden at their bird observatory on Cape Clear Island off the Cork coast. More here >

Written by: (03 Apr 2025)

LED Street Lights Killing Seabirds on Cape Verde (Conservation News)

Conservationists are calling for urgent action to protect vulnerable seabirds following the deaths of over 150 birds caused by high-intensity LED streetlights. More here >

Written by: (03 Apr 2025)

Half Asleep, Fully Tired: Jackdaws Shift Their Sleeping Strategies (Research)

A new study reveals that the corvids abandon one-sided sleep for full-brain rest when pressure to recover mounts. More here >

Written by: (03 Apr 2025)

Too Late to Stop Them? Parakeets Settle in Turkey's Cities (Research)

Scientists warn that without intervention, this charismatic parrot may displace native species and reshape urban soundscapes. More here >

Written by: (03 Apr 2025)

Climate, Plastic, Prey Loss: Seabirds Face a Perfect Storm (Research)

Mounting evidence from key colonies across Northern Ireland suggests that without urgent policy and conservation responses, iconic seabird species may disappear from local coasts. More here >

Written by: (03 Apr 2025)

Blue Jay Caught Using a Tool in the Wild - A First for the Species (Research)

In a striking display of avian intelligence, a wild Blue Jay has been documented using a foraging tool in nature - marking the first such record for the species outside of laboratory conditions. More here >

Written by: (03 Apr 2025)

Climate Change and Pine Martens Tangle Goldeneye's Breeding Clock (Research)

A 28-year study shows that while climate change sets the stage for earlier nesting, it's the lingering impact of predators that determines how the breeding season unfolds and concludes. More here >

Written by: (03 Apr 2025)

Egyptian Vulture added to Category A of the British List (British List)

The British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee has changed the category of Egyptian Vulture from Category BDE to Category AE of the British List. More here >

Written by: (01 Apr 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 21-27 Mar (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup, looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >

Written by: Jon Dunn (28 Mar 2025)

Swan Tagging Trouble in the Washes (Conservation News)

Research highlights how Whooper and Bewick's Swans often venture outside protected areas during winter, raising questions about current conservation strategies. More here >

Written by: (28 Mar 2025)

Cornish Nature Reserve severely damaged in suspected arson attack (Wildlife crime)

Around one quarter of a 275 acre nature reserve in Cornwall has been scorched to the ground, with ground nesting birds, reptiles and small mammals thought to be have been killed. More here >

Written by: (25 Mar 2025)

'Paws for thought': call from conservation charity to dog owners (News)

As spring heralds the return of migratory birds to the UK's nature reserves, the Wildlife Trusts call for responsible dog walking to safeguard vulnerable species. More here >

Written by: (25 Mar 2025)

Government Boosts Funding to Tackle Rural and Wildlife Crime (Wildlife crime)

Over £800,000 allocated to frontline policing units as part of new strategy to protect countryside communities and endangered species. More here >

Written by: (25 Mar 2025)

'Delays mean deaths - ban toxic lead ammunition now' (Conservation News)

Environmental charities insist there is still time for the government to save thousands of waterbirds from painful deaths despite another delay on the decision to ban toxic lead ammunition. More here >

Written by: (25 Mar 2025)

The Roadside Racket Revolutionising Birdsong (Research)

Galapagos study links human noise to shifts in warbler song structure and behaviour. More here >

Written by: (25 Mar 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 14-20 Mar (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup, looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic.. More here >

Written by: (21 Mar 2025)

The Birds That Vanished When We Stayed Home (Research)

Lockdown reduced human activity - but also inadvertently cut off critical food sources for urban birds, leading to a diet-linked decline in species diversity. More here >

Written by: (21 Mar 2025)

Flying Blind: Why Gulls May Not See What's Coming (Research)

New research reveals that visual field blind spots put gulls at risk of fatal collisions with turbines and power lines. More here >

Written by: (21 Mar 2025)

Another record-breaking year for UK's loudest bird (Conservation News)

Conservationists are celebrating another record-breaking year for Bitterns in the UK with 283 booming males recorded in the latest results from the RSPB and Natural England. More here >

Written by: RSPB (21 Mar 2025)

Lincolnshire Gamekeeper convicted for crimes relating to raptor persecution (Wildlife crime)

Gamekeeper John Bryant has been ordered to pay over £7,000 after being found guilty of poison and trap-related offences. More here >

Written by: (21 Mar 2025)

Tracking the Comeback: How Young Goshawks Are Reclaiming Britain's Skies (Research)

New research by the BTO uncovers how these scarce raptors are slowly spreading and adapting to potential new habitats. More here >

Written by: (19 Mar 2025)

The Owl Gull: Swallow-tailed Gull's Hunting Feeding Unveiled (Research)

New GPS tracking data confirms the Swallow-tailed Gull as the only seabird that exclusively forages at night. More here >

Written by: (19 Mar 2025)

Stormy Seas and Sinking Skua Numbers: Winter Conditions Drive Population Decline (Research)

Seabird conservation efforts may need to shift focus: new research finds that winter habitats hold the key to survival. More here >

Written by: (19 Mar 2025)

Hidden Eyes in the Wetlands: Camera Traps Outperform Traditional Duck Surveys (Research)

Could cameras replace traditional duck surveys? A new study suggests they might be the future of waterfowl research. More here >

Written by: (19 Mar 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 7 - 13 Mar (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup, looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

Huge decline in US butterfly populations mirrors UK Butterfly Emergency (Research)

The abundance of butterflies across the United States fell by an alarming 22% in just 20 years, a new study has concluded. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

Echoes of the Past: The Role of Age and Immigration in Birdsong Evolution (Research)

Long-term monitoring of Great Tits in Wytham Woods sheds light on the intricate ties between song culture and population changes. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

From Twigs to Takeaway: Birds Chronicle the Plastic Epoch (Research)

Common Coots in Amsterdam are incorporating plastic litter into their nests, creating layered records of human consumption and pollution. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

Scientists Discover Unusual Colony Nesting in Andean Hummingbirds (Research)

Recent research by Bowling Green State University scientists has sent shockwaves through the bird-watching world after discovering atypical behaviour in hummingbirds. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

The Lost Jewel of the Atlantic Forest: A New Look at the Kinglet Calyptura (Research)

A rare South American bird, unseen for decades, resurfaces in museum collections - but does it still exist in the wild? More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

Flight Paths to the Future: Three Decades of Bird Monitoring in the UK (Research)

Thirty years of data show Britain's birds are in flux - and conservation efforts must adapt. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

The Lifeline of a Vanishing Sandpiper (Research)

Scientists uncover the high-quality feeding grounds that could make or break the survival of one of the world's rarest shorebirds. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

Wilson's Warbler Migration: A Rare Case of Stability in a Changing World (Research)

New research finds that a Neotropical migrant has maintained its nonbreeding distribution for over half a century despite global environmental change. More here >

Written by: (14 Mar 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 28 Feb - 6 Mar (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly birding roundup looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic where in Gwynedd the Indo-Pacific White Tern story took a predictable turn. More here >

Written by: (07 Mar 2025)

Beavers to Be Set Free in the Wild as Government Reverses Ban (Conservation News)

After centuries of absence, the UK government has approved the release of beavers into the wild, marking a major win for conservation and ecosystem restoration. More here >

Written by: (06 Mar 2025)

Silent Winters: The Disappearance of Bewick's Swans from Britain (Conservation News)

Conservationists warn of a sharp decline in Bewick's Swan numbers as habitat loss, climate change, and lead poisoning take their toll. More here >

Written by: (06 Mar 2025)

Red Kite shot and killed in Cairngorms National Park (Wildlife crime)

The protected bird is the latest to be killed within the park, the majority of previous raptor persecution crimes have been found to be linked to the shooting industry. More here >

Written by: (06 Mar 2025)

Diving into Danger: How Small-Scale Fisheries Threaten Mediterranean Seabirds (Research)

New research has shown that Small-scale fisheries can pose significant conservation challenges with a number of Mediterranean bird species being caught as 'bycatch. More here >

Written by: (04 Mar 2025)

The Vanishing Melodies of the Thrush Nightingale: A Songbook Rewritten (Research)

Researchers in Poland studying Thrush Nightingales have made the remarkable discovery that no single song type from 1986 was still in use in 2019. More here >

Written by: (04 Mar 2025)

Skylarks and Powerlines: No Cause for Alarm, Say Scientists (Research)

New Research has set out to investigate whether Skylarks steer clear of powerlines and their towering pylons in agricultural landscapes. More here >

Written by: (04 Mar 2025)

Iceland's Vanishing Voices: Alarm Bells for Waders and Passerines (Research)

Recent research has sounded the alarm for populations of common waders and passerines, which found they are declining at an alarming rate in Iceland's vast lowlands. More here >

Written by: (04 Mar 2025)

Flightless but Not Thoughtless: Emus and Rheas Prove Their Problem-Solving Prowess (Research)

Emus have a reputation for not being the cleverest of birds, however a new study could put an end to that. More here >

Written by: (04 Mar 2025)

Weekly birding round-up: 21 - 27 Feb (Weekly Roundup)

Jon Dunn brings you his weekly look back at the best birds of the last seven days, and this week news from Gwynedd of an Indo-Pacific White Tern stole the show. More here >

Written by: (28 Feb 2025)

Mystery Migration: Grey Plover's Arctic Journey Challenges Assumptions (Research)

A ground-breaking study has reshaped our understanding of the migratory patterns of the Grey Plover, a shorebird that winters in Southeast Asia More here >

Written by: (28 Feb 2025)

Invasive Waxbills Thrive in Spain's Abandoned Farmlands (Research)

A new study reveals how farmland abandonment and invasive plants fuel the spread of non-native birds. More here >

Written by: (28 Feb 2025)

Japanese collaboration to save White-bellied Herons in Bhutan takes wings (Conservation News)

Conservation biologists from Hosei University in Japan are helping the Royal Society for Protection of Nature in Bhutan with a project to rear White-bellied Herons in captivity. More here >

Written by: (28 Feb 2025)

Partnership projects to benefit Stone-curlew lead to rise in numbers (Conservation News)

Two projects working to benefit Stone-curlew are celebrating their 40th anniversaries, with the population now having more than doubled in size since the 1980s. More here >

Written by: RSPB (27 Feb 2025)

Shooting threatens the recovery of the Cinereous Vulture in Portugal (Wildlife crime)

Three recently shot Cinereous Vultures spark unified condemnation. More here >

Written by: VCF (27 Feb 2025)

Wild Justice appoints Bob Elliot as its first Chief Executive (Press report)

Conservation campaign group Wild Justice has appointed Bob Elliot as its first Chief Executive. More here >

Written by: (27 Feb 2025)

Increasing concerns over lack of enforcement against bird trappers by Cypriot authorities (Wildlife crime)

The latest report on illegal songbird trapping on Cyprus, has revealed that the number of songbirds trapped and killed continues to be a major issue. More here >

Written by: RSPB (27 Feb 2025)

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