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  Finland's Eagle Owls boomed on landfill rats - and declined when the dumps closed   (Research)
A long-term study suggests decades of waste disposal unintentionally boosted the breeding success of Europe's largest owl before modern recycling changed the food supply. More here >
Written by:  (09 Mar 2026)
 
 
new  Spanish Little Swift numbers continue to rise   (News)
Once a rarity in Europe, the population of Little Swifts in the Andalusian port of Chipiona is continuing to grow, highlighting the remarkable expansion of this African species into southern Spain. More here >
Written by:  (09 Mar 2026)
 
 
new  New technique allows scientists to identify individual birds migrating at night   (Research)
Researchers using thermal imaging and photography have, for the first time, been able to directly observe and identify birds migrating through the night sky. More here >
Written by:  (09 Mar 2026)
 
 
new  Young birders offered rare chance to work at Fair Isle Bird Observatory   (News)
New scheme will give aspiring naturalists two weeks on one of Britain's most famous bird observatories, gaining hands-on experience of migration monitoring, seabird research and ringing. More here >
Written by:  (09 Mar 2026)
 
 
new  £4.6m Norfolk Wildlife Trust project will create 336-acre nature reserve   (News)
Major habitat restoration project will transform farmland into wetlands and grassland for wildlife. More here >
Written by:  (09 Mar 2026)
 
 
new  Thousands of Purple Martins killed by 'Great Texas Freeze'   (Research)
New research reveals the scale of losses after a 2021 cold snap - and why increasingly unpredictable weather could pose growing risks for early-arriving migrants. More here >
Written by:  (09 Mar 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 27 Feb - 5 Mar   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn's look back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
Great Crested Grebes recorded preying on songbirds   (Research)
Unusual predation events challenge the traditional view of the species as strictly fish-eating. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
Welsh Government recognises Beaver as a native species   (News)
Historic decision paves the way for the return of one of Britain's lost ecosystem engineers. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
Young Jackdaws learn predator warnings before fledging   (Research)
New research shows nestlings pick up warning signals from adult alarm calls and quickly learn which unfamiliar sounds signal danger. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
Rainfall matters more than temperature for many bird populations   (Research)
Global research suggests changes in precipitation may have a stronger influence on bird numbers than rising temperatures in many regions. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
Bird flu rampant among Black Vultures   (Research)
New research shows how highly pathogenic H5N1 spreads through scavenging behaviour and causes large mortality events in North America. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
Woodpecker skull structure helps prevent brain injury   (Research)
New research reveals how specialised skull structures allow these birds to cope with the extreme forces generated during pecking. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
How good are our public parks for wildlife?   (News)
BTO research is exploring how birds use urban greenspaces and what these everyday habitats mean for wildlife in Britain's towns and cities. More here >
Written by:  (06 Mar 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 20 - 26 Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn's look back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
NatureScot premises vandalised as anti-guga hunt petition nears 100k signatures   (News)
Graffiti opposing Western Isles tradition appears at Inverness HQ as Scottish Parliament petition calling for an end to the hunt gathers momentum. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
RSPB in race against time to halt 'rapid' erosion at Titchwell Marsh   (Conservation News)
Charity launches £10,000 appeal after flooding delays vital work protecting salt marsh habitat on the north Norfolk coast. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
Italy's largest Red-footed Falcon colony reaches new record   (Conservation News)
The country's biggest breeding population of Red-footed Falcons has grown again in 2025, setting a new high in northern Italy. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
Visitors asked to staying off the water at Muir of Dinnet to help breeding birds   (Conservation News)
NatureScot urges people to avoid loch use during sensitive nesting season at the Deeside nature reserve. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
Accidental discovery reveals grim future for Emperor Penguins   (News)
British Antarctic Survey says satellite images show widespread breeding failure in a key Antarctic region after record-low sea ice. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
Germany's wildcats are moving beyond the forest - and farmland is reshaping their diet   (Research)
New research shows European Wildcats are increasingly hunting in agricultural landscapes, with summer diets reflecting growing use of open farmland habitats. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
EU declines full ban on lead ammunition despite 60,000 public submissions   (News)
BirdLife says decision-makers ignored strong citizen backing for a complete phase-out of toxic shot. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
Hotspots of accelerated North American bird decline linked to agricultural activity   (Research)
New analysis suggests cropland, fertiliser and pesticide intensity best match the geography of accelerating losses - even where warming explains the broad pattern of decline. More here >
Written by:  (27 Feb 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round up: 13 - 19 Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn's look back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
Spectacled Eider set for release back into the Wadden Sea after rehabilitation   (News)
Dutch wildlife carers say the rare sea duck is recovering well, with relocation judged safer than permanent captivity or a return to Alaska. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
BTO's Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme opens doors for the next generation of birders   (News)
Free placements at UK bird observatories give young people hands-on experience in fieldwork, migration study and life at the sharp end of bird monitoring. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
Hundreds of seabirds found dead around UK coasts after winter storms   (News)
RSPB calls for urgent delivery of seabird protection measures as Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills among species reported in recent 'wreck'. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
LeConte's Sparrow sings most before sunrise and least after it   (Research)
Thousands of hours of boreal wetland recordings reveal two song types, different daily peaks, and a clear message for survey timing. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
New funding boost set to safeguard wildlife on The Falklands' New Island   (Conservation News)
Investment will strengthen conservation work for globally important seabird colonies and restore fragile island habitats. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
Global study finds human noise disrupts bird behaviour and breeding   (Research)
Global meta-analysis of 160 studies finds traffic, aircraft and industrial noise disrupt communication, increase stress and reduce reproductive success. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
Study finds 'common birds' are now smaller species than they were decades ago   (Research)
A global survey suggests the most commonly encountered birds are increasingly smaller-bodied species - a pattern consistent with a deepening avian extinction crisis. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
 
Reedbed restoration brings Marsh Harrier back to breed in Scotland   (Conservation News)
Targeted wetland improvements have created the dense, wet habitat this scarce raptor needs - and the birds have responded. More here >
Written by:  (20 Feb 2026)
 
   
Weekly birding round up: 6 - 12 Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
Our weekly look back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
New project launched to prevent Grenada Dove extinction   (Research)
University of Chester scientists working with conservation partners to secure the future of one of the world's rarest birds. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
Beaver comeback accelerates with 100 releases scheduled for 2026   (News)
Natural History Museum highlights growing momentum behind Beaver restoration, with further releases expected under new government approach. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
Walrus seen in East Scotland in January   (News)
Walrus found in East Scotland in January BDMLR reveals Arctic visitor was present earlier in the year, with details released after initial monitoring. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
Alpine Choughs caught eating droppings in winter-only survival strategy   (Research)
New study finds high-mountain corvids regularly consume their own and other birds' droppings during winter food shortages. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders   (Wildlife crime)
Police appeal for information after injured eagle discovered in the Borders, while Golden Eagle Project shares recovery progress of rehabilitated bird. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
Dunlin breeding success recorded in Cumbrian uplands   (Conservation News)
First coordinated survey across the Cumbrian North Pennines records breeding birds at multiple sites, offering fresh evidence for upland recovery work. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
50% Rise in Lekking Capercaillie at Abernethy Over Five Years   (Conservation News)
RSPB records 30 lekking male Capercaillie at Abernethy in 2025 - a 50% increase since 2020 - as new habitat techniques are trialled to help halt national decline. More here >
Written by:  (13 Feb 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round up: 30th Jan - 5th Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Major report documents widespread declines in Ireland's wintering waterbirds   (Research)
Long-term monitoring shows many duck and wader species have fallen sharply in recent decades. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
WWII pillboxes converted into nesting sites for seabirds   (Conservation News)
Concrete coastal defences are being transformed into unexpected nesting sites for some of Scotland's rarest breeding seabirds. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Bearded Vulture 'Centenario' found dead in Picos de Europa   (News)
The death represents a setback for the slow-growing Bearded Vulture population in the region. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Lord Howe Rail population passes 1,600 in remarkable recovery   (Conservation News)
Endemic flightless bird continues to rebound following rodent eradication on Lord Howe Island . More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Record numbers for rare butterfly eggs as hedges grow wild   (Conservation News)
Brown Hairstreak breeding success reaches a new high as hedgerows are left to grow naturally. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Wave of poisoning incidents hits vultures across Africa   (Wildlife crime)
Separate events in East and West Africa claim dozens of birds and highlight growing threats. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Britain's tiny breeding population of Green Sandpiper could benefit from Beaver reintroductions   (News)
New wetland dynamics in Scotland may recreate nesting conditions that have become scarce in the UK. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Scotland becomes first UK country to put Swift bricks into law   (News)
New-build nesting spaces move a step closer - as campaigners warn Swifts cannot afford to wait. More here >
Written by:  (06 Feb 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round up 23 - 29 Jan   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings looks back on the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (30 Jan 2026)
 
 
Record number of Aquatic Warblers recorded singing in Lithuania   (Conservation News)
Conservation work and shifting conditions elsewhere combine to produce a rare high point for Europe's most threatened warbler. More here >
Written by:  (30 Jan 2026)
 
 
Artificial light at night disrupts migratory behaviour in sparrows   (Research)
Captive trials show even dim night lighting can change nocturnal activity and migratory restlessness in migrant sparrows, while House Sparrows are far less affected. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jan 2026)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Killdeer, Ripley, Hampshire   (Finders account)
With the only previous record for the county being in 1980 Kevin May was more than a little surprised when he found the county's second on a wet day at Ripley Farm Reservoir. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jan 2026)
 
 
Gamekeeper fined in England's first Hen Harrier persecution case   (Wildlife crime)
A landmark conviction has exposed coordinated attempts to kill protected Hen Harriers on a Yorkshire grouse moor and intensified calls for tighter regulation of gamebird shooting. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jan 2026)
 
 
Poison strikes again as seven vultures are found dead in Bulgaria   (Wildlife crime)
The deaths of six Cinereous Vultures and one Griffon Vulture underline the continued threat of illegal poisoning to Europe's rarest scavengers. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jan 2026)
 
 
Cities provide key resources for migratory birds   (Research)
Research from the Neotropics shows urban areas can provide vital refuges for migrating birds in landscapes otherwise dominated by intensive human activity. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jan 2026)
 
 
New study maps bird flu risk across Denmark week by week   (Research)
A detailed spatiotemporal study shows how migration, water habitats and carcasses shape the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jan 2026)
 
 
Scientists unveil the most complete interactive bird family tree ever created   (News)
A new global 'Tree of Life' maps how all living birds are related, revealing fresh insights into evolution, diversity and deep avian history. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jan 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round up 16 - 22 Jan 2026   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings looks back on the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (23 Jan 2026)
 
 
Little Egret population considerably higher than previously thought   (Research)
Research by the BTO, published in the journal British Birds, sheds new light on both the numbers, and geographical spread of this small and elegant all-white heron. More here >
Written by:  (23 Jan 2026)
 
 
Six Hen Harriers 'vanish' on or near grouse moors in 2025 and another is poisoned   (Wildlife crime)
RSPB says seven birds are suspected or confirmed illegally killed in England in a single year, renewing urgent calls for licensing of all gamebird shooting. More here >
Written by:  (23 Jan 2026)
 
 
Finland's Great Grey Owl population increasing as they show signs of adapting to climate change   (Research)
An increase in occupied nests suggests the species is coping better than many other nocturnal birds of prey. More here >
Written by:  (23 Jan 2026)
 
 
White-naped Cranes use two clearly separate migration routes across east Asia   (Research)
Satellite tracking shows eastern and western breeding populations follow different flyways, use different stopover sites and rarely mix. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jan 2026)
 
 
No evidence that 'black-eye' symptom affects Gannets after bird flu   (Research)
A detailed post-outbreak study finds no impact of the black-eye symptom on foraging behaviour, nest attendance or breeding output . More here >
Written by:  (22 Jan 2026)
 
 
Huge gaps in Asia's bird ringing are undermining conservation   (Research)
Despite strong schemes in some countries, large blind spots leave migration and population declines poorly monitored. More here >
Written by:  (21 Jan 2026)
 
 
Emergency Appeal Launched After Storm Goretti Hits Isles of Scilly Wildlife Sites   (News)
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust says urgent funding is needed to repair habitat damage, prevent erosion and restore access to trails and reserves. More here >
Written by:  (21 Jan 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round up 9 - 15 Jan 2026   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings looks back on the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jan 2026)
 
 
Review of the Year 2025: Part 2   (Annual Rarity Review)
We look back at the standout rarity records and notable species recorded in Britain and Ireland in the second half of 2025 and reveal the end of year total. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jan 2026)
 
 
Black-faced Spoonbill population passes 7,000   (Conservation News)
International census shows the endangered East Asian waterbird has continued its long recovery, but annual growth has slowed sharply. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jan 2026)
 
 
RSPB withdraws from X over safeguarding concerns   (News)
The RSPB has closed its account on X, citing safeguarding concerns following reports that the platform's AI tools have been used to create non-consensual and inappropriate images of people.More here >
Written by:  (16 Jan 2026)
 
 
Pollution leaves its mark deep inside seabirds' cells   (Research)
New research shows that long-term exposure to environmental pollutants alters how seabird cells produce energy, with potential consequences for survival and breeding. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jan 2026)
 
 
Cold weather delays dawn singing in wetland warblers   (Research)
New acoustic research shows that temperature, wind and rain strongly shape when three species of warblers begin their dawn chorus. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jan 2026)
 
 
20-year-old Bewick's Swan reaches Slimbridge for the first time   (News)
A colour-ringed female first recorded on the Arctic tundra has reached WWT Slimbridge for the first time. More here >
Written by:  (15 Jan 2026)
 
 
Critically Endangered Sulu Hornbill rescued 600km from known range   (News)
A Sula Hornbill has been found exhausted off the coast of Cagayan de Oro, over 600km from its known range on Tawi Tawi. More here >
Written by:  (15 Jan 2026)
 
 
Wildlife Trust loses conservation role at Grafham Water Nature Reserve   (News)
Anglian Water has announced it will take over sole management of the nature reserve, a step the Wildlife Trust has said it is deeply disappointed by. More here >
Written by:  (15 Jan 2026)
 
 
Gamekeeper given fine for beating Buzzard to death   (Wildlife crime)
Shocking covert filmed footage helped secure a guilty plea from Thomas Munday but conservationists say sentence will not deter future crimes. More here >
Written by:  (14 Jan 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round up 24 Dec 2025 - 8 Jan 2026   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his first roundup of 2026 and its a bumper edition looking back at the festive fortnight as we saw out 2025 and welcomed in a new year. More here >
Written by:  (09 Jan 2026)
 
 
Review of the Year 2025: Part 1   (Annual Rarity Review)
We look back at the standout rarity records and notable species recorded in Britain and Ireland in early 2025. More here >
Written by:  (09 Jan 2026)
 
 
Songbird breeding outcomes improve sharply between 2024 and 2025   (Conservation News)
Warm, settled weather helped many familiar species raise more young, offering a rare piece of good news after a disastrous summer in 2024. More here >
Written by:  (09 Jan 2026)
 
 
Yellow-legged Gulls are moving closer to people as fear and disturbance decline   (Research)
Long-term research from north-west Spain shows Yellow-legged Gulls abandoning traditional refuges and triggering the formation of multi-species waterbird colonies in more accessible coastal sites. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jan 2026)
 
 
Asian Koels do not copy their hosts' eggs - but may be shadowing the wrong species   (Research)
Objective analysis across Asia finds no evidence that koels match their eggs to those of the birds they parasitise most often. challenging long-held assumptions about the brood parasite. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jan 2026)
 
 
Rock Pipits to be tracked in new Scottish migration study   (Research)
New Motus tags and receivers in Fife aim to reveal how coastal birds move through the year. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jan 2026)
 
 
WWT Caerlaverock closed until spring as major changes continue   (News)
The closure comes as the team at Caerlaverock is restructured with the focus moving away from staffing the shop and cafe, towards a smaller team dedicated to developing the reserve itself. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jan 2026)
 
 
Why some migratory birds fly higher over deserts and lower over seas   (Research)
New tracking research reveals that small migratory birds use strikingly different flight strategies over the Sahara and major seas. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jan 2026)
 
 
Proposal to reintroduce Dalmatian Pelicans to the Netherlands   (News)
The website Ornithomedia is reporting that conservation groups have outlined plans based on historic evidence of the species presence in Netherlands. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jan 2026)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 19 - 23 Dec   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his final roundup of 2025, looking back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (24 Dec 2025)
 
 
Solar-powered GPS tags show no detectable harm to Kentish Plovers   (Research)
Detailed behavioural, breeding and survival monitoring suggests tiny long-life trackers can be used safely on one of Europe's smallest shorebirds. More here >
Written by:  (24 Dec 2025)
 
 
Male pheasants pay a hidden price for their finest feathers   (Research)
The spectacular head feathers of male Golden and Lady Amherst's Pheasants significantly reduce what they can see, creating large blind spots that may leave them more vulnerable to predators. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
Season's Greetings from Rare Bird Alert   (News)
A seasonal message from Dick Filby and the team at Rare Bird Alert. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
Tracking reveals precise blueprint for Red-backed Shrike migration   (Research)
Researchers show that shrikes organise their 20,000-kilometre journeys into predictable stages, suggesting migration is governed by an inherited travel plan refined by environmental cues. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
Intertidal shellfish farming sustaining migratory shorebirds in China   (Research)
Large-scale research shows that intertidal mariculture along China's coast has become an essential food source for migratory shorebirds. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
When seabirds take flight, sharks follow   (Research)
New research reveals how seasonal seabird nesting reshapes the movements of top marine predators in one of the world’s most remote reef systems. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
Why some bird songs sound like water dripping   (Research)
New research reveals that the 'liquid' quality of certain bird songs is created by unusual vocal control that allows pressure to build before sound is released. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
Fourth White-tailed Eagle 'disappears' - RSPB Offers £10k reward   (Wildlife crime)
The newly revealed disappearance adds to three earlier cases involving satellite-tagged birds now under police investigation. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
Griffon Vulture numbers in Sardinia more than double since 2020   (Conservation News)
A record island-wide census reveals rapid population growth, rising breeding success, and the long-term impact of coordinated conservation work. More here >
Written by:  (23 Dec 2025)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Scops Owl, Killay, Glamorgan   (Finders account)
Whilst topping up her garden bird feeders, Jess Benyon came face to face with a very unexpected and rare visitor. More here >
Written by:  (19 Dec 2025)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 12 - 18 Dec   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his penultimate roundup of 2025 ahead of a well deserved Christmas and New Year break. More here >
Written by:  (19 Dec 2025)
 
 
Sandwich Terns have best breeding season for decades at Scottish reserve   (Conservation News)
More than 1,100 Sandwich Tern chicks fledged at Forvie National Nature Reserve on Scotland's east coast, this summer. More here >
Written by:  (18 Dec 2025)
 
 
First year of Wildcat reintroduction project hailed a success   (Conservation News)
NatureScot-backed research confirms that breeding and release has delivered high survival and early breeding success for Scotland's Wildcats. More here >
Written by:  (18 Dec 2025)
 
 
Rare butterfly has good year at well-managed sites   (Conservation News)
Marsh Fritillaries have shown encouraging increases at carefully managed sites this season, highlighting the value of habitat restoration and volunteer effort. More here >
Written by:  (18 Dec 2025)
 
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