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
 
 
Song tutoring can help save the Regent Honeyeater   (12 Birds of Christmas)
Playing recordings to young birds before they are released can significantly improve the critically endangered species' chance of survival in the wild. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jun 2021)
 
 
Seabird eggs contaminated with cocktail of plastic additives   (Research)
Chemical additives used in plastic production have been found in Herring Gull eggs, new research shows. More here >
Written by:  (18 Jun 2021)
 
 
Egyptian Vulture on Scilly, June 2021 - the first British record since 1868   (Personal Account)
Will Wagstaff recounts coming across an Egyptian Vulture on Tresco, Isles of Scilly, whilst leading a group around the island. More here >
Written by: Will Wagstaff (17 Jun 2021)
 
 
Eleven Cuckoos with backpacks ready for a mission to help save their kind   (Research)
The BTO have just finished fitting Cuckoos from different parts of the UK with high-tech backpacks to help fill gaps in what we know about how they fare over their annual cycle. More here >
Written by: BTO (17 Jun 2021)
 
 
Young birds do household chores   (Research)
The findings of new research appear to contradict the prevailing theory of evolution with young birds even surrendering their food to younger siblings. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jun 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 8 - 14 June 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Britain's first Sulphur-bellied Warbler is identified on Lundy whilst on Scilly an Egyptian Vulture touches down on Tresco. More here >
Written by:  (15 Jun 2021)
 
 
Book Review: The Glitter in the Green   (Book review)
Anthony Mcgeehan reviews Jon Dunn's new book - The Glitter in the Green: In Search of Hummingbirds More here >
Written by:  (15 Jun 2021)
 
 
Record breeding season for Irish Barn Owls   (Conservation News)
Last summer was the most productive breeding season on record for Irish Barn Owls. More here >
Written by:  (14 Jun 2021)
 
 
British Trust for Ornithology's Andy Clements awarded an OBE   (News)
The former BTO Chief Executive received the recognition for his services to conservation and policy. More here >
Written by:  (14 Jun 2021)
 
 
New research provides clues as to how to save Britain's Curlews   (Research)
The results of the study show that adult survival rate is high and declines are being driven by poor breeding success. More here >
Written by:  (11 Jun 2021)
 
 
Technology revolutionises monitoring remote seabird colonies   (Research)
Using drones and artificial intelligence to monitor large colonies of seabirds can be as effective as traditional on-the-ground methods. More here >
Written by:  (11 Jun 2021)
 
 
Why are Bearded Vultures being reintroduced in Germany?   (Conservation News)
An important milestone has taken place yesterday [10th June] in the heart of the Bavarian Alps in Germany. More here >
Written by:  (11 Jun 2021)
 
 
Noise and light pollution can change which birds visit gardens   (Research)
Researchers found that birds avoided louder areas and when light pollution was also present, even more species stayed away. More here >
Written by:  (11 Jun 2021)
 
 
Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder - it's back   (News)
The event, held at Spurn's MigFest, celebrates the skill and dedication of young birders from across the UK. More here >
Written by:  (11 Jun 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 1 - 7 June 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
A good crop of headline rarities in this week's roundup, including a superb Red-necked Stint, plus White-tailed Lapwing, River Warbler, Little Swift and much more. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (08 Jun 2021)
 
 
Conservation partnership aims to reverse butterfly declines in The Midlands   (Conservation News)
The project, titled Butterfly Mosaics, will form part of Severn Trent's Great Big Nature Boost - a scheme that aims to look after water by looking after nature too. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jun 2021)
 
 
Government approves badger culling to 2026 and ignores public consultation   (News)
The government will continue to issue licenses to kill badgers over the next four years, putting 130,000 animals at risk of being shot. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jun 2021)
 
 
Mockingbirds follow similar musical rules as those found in human music   (Research)
The song of the mockingbird is so complex that to investigate it required a joint effort of experts from very different fields. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jun 2021)
 
 
Trust among corvids   (Research)
Siberian Jays use social information to differentiate between trustworthy warning calls made by members of their own group and false calls from neighbours. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jun 2021)
 
 
Falcons have natural 'eye makeup' to improve hunting ability   (Research)
Dark 'eyeliner' feathers of peregrine falcons act as sun shields to improve the birds' hunting ability, a new scientific study suggests. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jun 2021)
 
 
Polar vortex, winter heat may change bird populations   (Research)
Extreme winter weather events such as a polar vortex can push some species to the edge of survival. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jun 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 25 - 31 May 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
The cold, cold spring continued to stutter and splutter this week but the weather warmed up a touch, high pressure parked itself over us and, yes, there were some birds on offer. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2021)
 
 
Alpine parrot may have gone to the mountains to avoid people   (Research)
Researchers found the Kea is not an alpine specialist, but rather one that adapted to using such an open habitat because it was least disturbed by human activity. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2021)
 
 
Northern Hemisphere seabirds face dire threats from human activity   (Research)
Many seabirds in the Northern Hemisphere are struggling to breed - and in the Southern Hemisphere, they may not be far behind. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jun 2021)
 
 
Reckless beach drivers put vulnerable Norfolk birds in peril   (News)
Footage has been released by the RSPB which shows quad bikers driving recklessly on Snettisham Beach. More here >
Written by:  (28 May 2021)
 
 
New hope for one of South America's 'lost' bird species   (Research)
A group of researchers from the UK, Brazil and Argentina have found evidence that the Purple-winged Ground Dove might still exist. More here >
Written by:  (26 May 2021)
 
 
Bearded Vulture killed by wind turbine in Netherlands - a first for Europe   (Conservation News)
The young male named Angele was found dead under a wind turbine in Wieringerwerf, the Netherlands. More here >
Written by:  (26 May 2021)
 
 
Bird feeding may have driven declines in some bird species   (Research)
Garden bird feeders are boosting blue tit numbers - but leaving other woodland species hungry. More here >
Written by:  (26 May 2021)
 
 
Golden Eagles breeding again in Orkney after almost 40 years   (Conservation News)
Earlier this year local RSPB Scotland staff were delighted to spot a pair nesting at the organisation's nature reserve in Hoy, and can confirm that they now have chicks. More here >
Written by:  (26 May 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 18 - 24 May 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
A mid-May weekly roundup would usually be packed full of top-quality rarities but with the current unseasonal weather entrenched it was slim pickings, Chris Batty reports. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2021)
 
 
Drones used to track feeding terns   (Research)
Researchers studied the foraging habits of terns in turbulent water around Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2021)
 
 
Griffon Vultures found nesting in a tree - a first for Portugal   (News)
The vultures we found nesting in an abandoned Cinereous Vulture nest, the species typically nests on cliffs. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2021)
 
 
Study estimates there are over 50 billion birds in the world   (Research)
There are roughly 50 billion individual birds in the world, a new big data study by University of New South Wales Sydney suggests. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2021)
 
 
Mark Avery's Book Review: Britain's Insects   (Book review)
Britain's Insects is an innovative, up-to-date, carefully designed and beautifully illustrated field guide to Britain and Ireland's twenty-five insect orders. More here >
Written by:  (25 May 2021)
 
 
Lead ammunition is poisoning eagles and vultures   (Conservation News)
A recently published study revealed the scale of lead contamination in tissues of large avian scavengers in south-central Europe. More here >
Written by: VCF (24 May 2021)
 
 
Europe's first stoat detection dogs arrive in Orkney   (Conservation News)
Three specially trained conservation detection dogs are the most recent team members for a project to safeguard Orkney's native wildlife. More here >
Written by:  (20 May 2021)
 
 
Police appeal for information following disappearance of two male Hen Harriers   (Conservation News)
Cumbria Police are appealing for information following the disappearance of two male Hen Harriers, in suspicious circumstances, from the RSPB reserve at Geltsdale. More here >
Written by: Raptor Persecution UK (20 May 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 11 - 17 May 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
With bands of rain borne of largely unhelpful winds, spring migration seemed to come to something of a juddering halt this week, as always though, there were exceptions to that rule. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2021)
 
 
Mark Avery's Book Review: Wild Winter   (Book review)
In his winter journey through the mountains and bothies of the Highlands, the author finds adventure, humour and a deep sense of connection with this wild land. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2021)
 
 
A wind farm in Navarre is killing one vulture every three days   (Research)
In just eight months pf operation the 32 turbine windfarm in Navarre, Spain, has killed at least 100 vultures. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2021)
 
 
Noise pollution reduces the reproductive success of the House Sparrow   (Conservation News)
Researchers studied how noise pollution from the Moors and Christians festivities affects the reproduction of the House Sparrow. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2021)
 
 
eBird passes one billion bird observations   (News)
The milestone was reached when an Australasian Swamphen was reported by Heidi Krajewski during Global Big Day 2021. More here >
Written by:  (18 May 2021)
 
 
Moth numbers decline by 46 percent in Scotland    (Conservation News)
The latest Scottish Biodiversity Indicator shows that moth abundance has almost halved, falling 46% between 1990 and 2018. More here >
Written by:  (14 May 2021)
 
 
Suspended sentence for egg collector despite previous conviction   (Wildlife crime)
Terrance Potter was found with a collection of almost 200 eggs including Golden Plover and Curlew. More here >
Written by:  (14 May 2021)
 
 
A tale of two warblers   (Research)
The latest BTO/RSPB/JNCC Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report shows the very different fortunes in England for two almost identical warblers. More here >
Written by:  (14 May 2021)
 
 
Suspect identified after three Bearded Vultures killed in Andalusia   (Wildlife crime)
One wild-hatched and two reintroduced Bearded Vultures recently lost their lives due to a poisoning incident in Granada, Andalusia. More here >
Written by:  (14 May 2021)
 
 
Saker Falcon breeds again in Bulgaria   (Conservation News)
In Bulgaria, the Saker Falcon, considered extinct as a breeding species since the early 2000s, was recovered in 2018. More here >
Written by:  (14 May 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 4 - 10 May 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
A spring week that had all the thrills and spills we could possibly have hoped for. Big passerines from east and west, a tasty shorebird or two, yes - spring had definitely sprung with a vengeance. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
Biden administration moves closer to reinstating Migratory Bird Protections   (Conservation News)
The Biden administration has begun a new rulemaking process to formally withdraw the Trump administration's rule removing incidental protections from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
Peregrine believed to be poisoned again at notorious Shropshire blackspot   (Wildlife crime)
West Mercia Police are appealing for information after a female Peregrine was found dead at Clee Hill Quarry in Shropshire. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
UK's bright urban lights attract migrant birds   (Research)
The calling rates of migrating Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Redwings were significantly higher over brightly lit urban areas. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
Corncrakes return to Rathlin after decades-long absence   (Conservation News)
Four calling male Corncrakes have been recorded on Rathlin Island for first time since the late 70s / early 80s. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
Male Hoopoes provide extra nourishment to mates who paint their eggs well   (Research)
Females 'paint' their eggs, using her beak to pull an oily substance from a gland located beneath the base of her tail. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
Great Reed Warblers fly high over Sahara and Mediterranean   (Research)
By using tiny data loggers researchers discovered that some birds flew as high as 6,000 metres on their migration to and from Africa. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
Spurn Migration Festival is back   (News)
After a year off due to the Covid Pandemic, the dates have been announced for the Spurn Migration Festival 2021. Between 10-12 Sept the magic of migration will be live from Kilnsea. More here >
Written by:  (11 May 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 27 Apr - 3 May 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his regular take on the week's comings and goings from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (04 May 2021)
 
 
RSPCA rescuer swims to save Buzzard trapped in fishing line   (News)
An RSPCA rescuer swam out into a lake to save a buzzard tangled in a discarded fishing line and released it back to the wild hours later. More here >
Written by:  (04 May 2021)
 
 
Welsh Osprey nest rebuilt after chainsaw attack   (Conservation News)
North Wales Wildlife Trust has rebuilt an Osprey nesting platform after criminals using a chainsaw felled the platform at Llyn Brenig, south-west of Denbigh. More here >
Written by:  (04 May 2021)
 
 
Spanish Cinereous Vulture, reintroduced in Bulgaria, probably shot in Hungary   (Wildlife crime)
The bird's satellite tag was found in Hortobagy National Park and it is believed to be the latest victim of illegal vulture killing in Europe. More here >
Written by:  (04 May 2021)
 
 
Cranes found nesting in Ireland   (Conservation News)
Found nesting on a rewetted bog in the midlands of Ireland, if the pair are successful it will be the first time they will have bred in Ireland in 300 years. More here >
Written by:  (04 May 2021)
 
 
Mark Avery's Book Review: Beak, Tooth and Claw   (Book review)
Mark reviews the latest title by Mary Colwell and its safe to say, that come December, this will not make Mark's top ten books of 2021. More here >
Written by:  (04 May 2021)
 
 
Vandal fells Osprey platform with chainsaw   (Wildlife crime)
This platform in North Wales has been used by up to three Ospreys this year with a pair looking like they might breed there for the first time. More here >
Written by:  (01 May 2021)
 
 
Listen for a quirky alternative this International Dawn Chorus Day   (News)
From the song of warblers to the pee-wit of lapwings, WWT are urging people to get out into local wetlands and listen to the unusual and often outlandish sounds of wetland birds. More here >
Written by:  (01 May 2021)
 
 
First confirmed death of adult Tristan Albatross due to house mice   (Conservation News)
The female was sitting on a nest with her chick beneath her and died from the wounds inflicted by the rodents. More here >
Written by:  (01 May 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 20 - 26 Apr 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his regular take on the week's comings and goings from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (28 Apr 2021)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Rock Thrush, April 2021   (Finders account)
Bob Flood finds a Rock Thrush on Scilly, which has now hosted six records, making it the UK hotspot for the species with a fifth of all records. More here >
Written by:  (28 Apr 2021)
 
 
Book Review: Much Ado About Mothing    (Book review)
James Lowen embarks on a year-long quest to celebrate the joy of Britain's rarest and most remarkable moths. More here >
Written by:  (27 Apr 2021)
 
 
Great Tits can change their traditions for the better   (Research)
New research reveals immigration as a powerful driver of cultural change in birds that could help them to adapt to rapidly changing environments. More here >
Written by:  (27 Apr 2021)
 
 
Artificial colonies provide hope for penguins in South Africa   (Conservation News)
With numbers plummeting and food hard to find, African Penguins face a bleak future, but BirdLife South Africa has a plan to ensure they thrive again. More here >
Written by:  (27 Apr 2021)
 
 
Owls harmed by post-fire logging, not fire   (Research)
For years, different groups of scientists assumed forest fires are a threat to the imperilled Spotted Owl. More here >
Written by:  (27 Apr 2021)
 
 
Nepal Poison Bait Incident Kills 69 Vultures   (Wildlife crime)
Apparently local villagers illegally used poison to kill stray dogs, and these dog carcasses were then eaten by the vultures, killing them. More here >
Written by:  (26 Apr 2021)
 
 
Record breaking Cuckoo returns to the UK   (News)
PJ the Cuckoo has returned to his forest home in Suffolk and has become a record-breaker whilst doing so. More here >
Written by:  (26 Apr 2021)
 
 
Italy to allow the shooting of up to 7.5 million Turtle Doves   (Conservation News)
The move would sanction a bag limit equivalent to the entire European Turtle Dove population, a species of high conservation concern - with sharply declining populations. More here >
Written by:  (26 Apr 2021)
 
 
Egyptian Vultures found nesting in Cape Verde   (Conservation News)
It is only the second occupied nest of this extremely endangered island population found in the country over the last five years. More here >
Written by:  (22 Apr 2021)
 
 
Raccoons and Raccoon Dogs are expected to expand their ranges in Europe   (Research)
Throughout Europe, the Raccoon is now established in 20 countries, while the Raccoon Dog inhabits as many as 33 countries. More here >
Written by:  (20 Apr 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 13 - 19 Apr 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his regular take on the week's comings and goings from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (20 Apr 2021)
 
 
UK waters are home again to the Bluefin Tuna   (Research)
Their numbers appear to be increasing, following a long period of absence linked to population decline, according to research led by Cefas and the University of Exeter. More here >
Written by:  (20 Apr 2021)
 
 
Discovery of the oldest wild Egyptian Vulture   (News)
Conservationists have discovered the oldest known living Egyptian Vulture in the wild thanks to long-term monitoring efforts. More here >
Written by:  (20 Apr 2021)
 
 
At least 180 migratory land bird species trapped across Asia   (Research)
Trapping for food, the caged bird trade and other uses, together with hunting and habitat destruction, is driving widespread declines. More here >
Written by:  (20 Apr 2021)
 
 
Wintering Scaup staying away from Britain   (Conservation News)
In the past 50 years the number of wintering Scaup has fallen by 75% since its peak in the 1973/74 winter. More here >
Written by:  (20 Apr 2021)
 
 
Bird feeders have reversed Blackcaps' migration   (Research)
Wintering Blackcaps overwhelmingly originate from breeding locations across Europe, and are undertaking a highly atypical north-westward migration. More here >
Written by:  (15 Apr 2021)
 
 
Eyes to the skies for returning Hen Harriers in Scotland   (Conservation News)
Hen Harriers are the UK's most persecuted bird of prey relative to its population size and sightings help build a picture of where they are. More here >
Written by:  (15 Apr 2021)
 
 
Irish birds are faring worse than ever before   (Conservation News)
The latest review of the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland provides alarming reading, with a 46% increase in the number of Red-listed species, those of highest conservation concern. More here >
Written by:  (15 Apr 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 6 - 12 Apr 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his regular take on the week's comings and goings from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2021)
 
 
Ducks in the Southern U.S. have shifted northward due to climate change   (Research)
A new study shows patterns uncovered by community scientists over 50 years have repercussions for both wildlife and people. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2021)
 
 
Birds learn to avoid flashy, hard-to-catch butterflies   (Research)
New research provides some of the strongest evidence to date for the idea of evasive mimicry, a strategy in which animals protect themselves from predators by matching the colors or patterns of agile relatives. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2021)
 
 
Antipodean Albatross danger zones identified   (Research)
Tracking data revealed that the key tuna fishing fleets operating in the Tasman Sea and to the northeast of New Zealand are from Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, China and Spain. More here >
Written by:  (13 Apr 2021)
 
 
Birds' blood functions as heating system in winter   (Research)
Researchers in Sweden have discovered that bird blood produces more heat in winter, when it is colder, than in autumn. More here >
Written by:  (12 Apr 2021)
 
 
Pigeon shot with nail gun in Glasgow   (Wildlife crime)
The Scottish SPCA are appealing for information after a pigeon was found with a six-inch nail through its beak in Glasgow. More here >
Written by:  (12 Apr 2021)
 
 
Swarovksi expands its NL Pure range   (News)
Swarovski is launching two new binoculars in their Pure range, the 8x32 and 10x32 benefit from a field of view of up to 69 degress. More here >
Written by:  (12 Apr 2021)
 
 
Weather radars can be used to lessen hazards for migratory birds   (Research)
Researchers have discovered that just 10 nights of action are required to reduce risk to 50% of avian migrants passing over a given area in spring and autumn. More here >
Written by:  (09 Apr 2021)
 
 
One million take part in record-breaking RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch   (Conservation News)
Over the first three days of submissions alone, numbers were up 85% compared to the same time period in 2020. More here >
Written by:  (09 Apr 2021)
 
 
Veterinary drug kills Spanish vulture - first confirmed case in Europe   (Conservation News)
Conservationists call the discovery a watershed moment that proves that the drug can enter the vulture food chain, something the EU said could not happen. More here >
Written by:  (08 Apr 2021)
 
 
The Wildlife Trusts' raise almost £8 million in 6 months   (Conservation News)
Funds will buy land to provide new homes for wildlife and allow nature to thrive in increasing abundance across wilder, joined-up places. More here >
Written by:  (08 Apr 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 30 Mar - 5 Apr 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn brings you his regular take on the week's comings and goings from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (06 Apr 2021)
 
 
How ethically sourced chocolate can support birds   (Research)
A study of currently farmed cacao forests, abandoned forests and natural unfarmed forest on the Caribbean island of Trinidad found that all three supported bird diversity, contrary to expectations. More here >
Written by:  (06 Apr 2021)
 
 
Pumice the key to solving seabird mass death mystery   (Research)
Researchers have used the evidence of pumice from an underwater volcanic eruption to answer a long-standing mystery about a mass death of migrating seabirds. More here >
Written by:  (06 Apr 2021)
 
 
Significant blow to the Cinereous Vulture breeding population in Turkey   (Wildlife crime)
Seven adult birds have been recently been found dead, probably poisoned, in western central Turkey. More here >
Written by:  (06 Apr 2021)
 
 
Coffee for the birds: connecting bird-watchers with shade-grown coffee   (Conservation News)
New research that surveyed birdwatchers finds that only a small percentage buy bird-friendly coffee, with awareness being one of the main constraints. More here >
Written by:  (01 Apr 2021)
 
 
New Countryside Code launched   (News)
A new, refreshed Countryside Code has been launched to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the creation of the founding booklet. More here >
Written by:  (01 Apr 2021)
 
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