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
 
 
Captive breeding programme essential for vultures' survival   (Conservation News)
A new study shows that supporting a declining population of the Egyptian vulture with captive-reared young birds every year could delay extinction. More here >
Written by:  (03 Aug 2021)
 
 
Eurasian Curlews released on the Sandringham Estate   (Conservation News)
The birds hatched from some of the 147 eggs were collected from airfields where nesting Curlew as see as a serious risk to air safety. More here >
Written by:  (03 Aug 2021)
 
 
Hundreds of air gun attacks despite Covid lockdowns   (News)
An alarming number of reports were received by the RSPCA about animals being targeted by air weapons and rifles over the last 18 months. More here >
Written by:  (03 Aug 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 20 - 26 July 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Although a possible 1st for Britain was reported in Kent and a delightful Western Sand was found in Norfolk, without a doubt the week belonged to the terns. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (29 Jul 2021)
 
 
Mark Golley joins BOURC   (News)
The latest appointment to the BOU's Records Committee has been announced and it's a name and face that will be familiar to many birders. More here >
Written by:  (28 Jul 2021)
 
 
Cinereous Vulture successfully nests on rocks instead of treetops in Mallorca   (Conservation News)
Cinereous Vultures in Mallorca typically nest in pine trees by the sea cliffs of the Serra de Tramuntana. More here >
Written by:  (27 Jul 2021)
 
 
Griffon Vultures return to a historic colony in Greece after 30 years   (Conservation News)
Optimistic news from Greece where a historic vulture colony that has been abandoned for 30 years is once again active, with several nests recorded. More here >
Written by:  (27 Jul 2021)
 
 
Mark Avery's Book Review: The Eternal Season   (Book review)
Against the anxious backdrop of the global pandemic, Stephen Rutt seeks comfort and reassurance from nature in full bloom. More here >
Written by:  (27 Jul 2021)
 
 
Storm petrels breeding on Isle of May for first time   (Conservation News)
Storm Petrels were first spotted displaying and calling on the island in 2019 but now breeding has been confirmed for the first time. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jul 2021)
 
 
Poorly-designed powerlines killing globally threatened birds of prey   (Conservation News)
Endangered birds of prey are being killed in Africa and the Middle East through poorly-designed powerlines, warn scientists. More here >
Written by:  (21 Jul 2021)
 
 
Orchids thefts in Suffolk and Warwickshire   (Wildlife crime)
Police in Suffolk and Warwickshire are appealing for witnesses after orchids were dug up and stolen. More here >
Written by:  (21 Jul 2021)
 
 
Rescue operation seeks to save Elegant Terns   (Conservation News)
325 young Elegant Terns have been rescued and 100 carcasses have been found in the latest episode in a difficult breeding year for the species in California. More here >
Written by:  (20 Jul 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 13 - 19 July 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Britain saw a pretty quiet week but nearby in Ireland birders enjoyed a country first whilst further afield in Finland there was a potential Western Palearctic first. More here >
Written by:  (20 Jul 2021)
 
 
The spread of misinformation is a new challenge for vulture conservation   (Conservation News)
A surge in perceived conflicts between farmers and vultures has been recently observed worldwide. More here >
Written by:  (19 Jul 2021)
 
 
New hope for recovery of endangered Mauritius Kestrel   (Research)
The species was once regarded 'the rarest bird in the world' with just four known birds in the wild in 1974 More here >
Written by:  (19 Jul 2021)
 
 
East Anglia's record breaking Cuckoo is off again   (Conservation News)
PJ, the Suffolk-based satellite tag-wearing Cuckoo who recently completed his fifth whole migration to and from Africa has left Suffolk and is heading south again. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jul 2021)
 
 
Butterfly species hard hit by changeable weather patterns   (News)
Butterfly Conservation launches this year's Big Butterfly Count with an urgent appeal for the public's help after disastrous spring weather. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jul 2021)
 
 
New India powerline ruling is lifeline for Critically Endangered bustard   (Conservation News)
The Indian Supreme Court has ruled that all powerlines should be taken underground at its breeding stronghold. More here >
Written by:  (16 Jul 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 6 - 12 July 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (13 Jul 2021)
 
 
Common breeding birds doing better in Netherlands than other European countries   (Research)
Authors of a new study looked for factors that could explain the increase and decrease of bird species in the Netherlands. More here >
Written by:  (13 Jul 2021)
 
 
Brunnich's Guillemots especially vulnerable to climate change   (Research)
The Arctic is warming at approximately twice the global rate and some species are especially vulnerable to heat stress caused by climate change. More here >
Written by:  (09 Jul 2021)
 
 
Wild birds learn to avoid distasteful prey by watching others   (Research)
Researchers have produced the first evidence that wild birds can learn to avoid distasteful prey by observing what others eat. More here >
Written by:  (09 Jul 2021)
 
 
Rare breeding success for White-tailed Eagle in Cairngorms National Park   (Conservation News)
A White-tailed Eagle has successfully hatched on the Balmoral Estate but its future is uncertain due to ongoing and widespread persecution in the park. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jul 2021)
 
 
Forest loss threat to enigmatic eagle   (Research)
A new study has shown that Harpy Eagles' chicks are starving to death in areas where adult territories are deforested above 50 percent. More here >
Written by:  (07 Jul 2021)
 
 
Charities call out companies still selling climate-harming compost   (Conservation News)
Environment experts have written to garden retailers challenging them to end the sale of peat-based compost ahead of global climate and nature talks this year. More here >
Written by:  (07 Jul 2021)
 
 
New population of one of UK's rarest butterflies found in Kent   (Conservation News)
The discovery of this rare species is the result of a restoration project on the site, which has helped wildlife return to the area. More here >
Written by:  (07 Jul 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 29 June - 5 July 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
An amazing week this week with a host of top class rarities, including Britain's first Soft-plumaged Petrel, an Elegant Tern, a Short-billed Dowitcher, a twitchable Black-browed Albatross and much more.>. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (06 Jul 2021)
 
 
Jackdaws don't console traumatised mates   (Research)
Previous studies have found consolation-like behaviour in some animals, but there is often another explanation, other than consolation, that could motivate this. More here >
Written by:  (02 Jul 2021)
 
 
Wildfire changes songbird plumage and testosterone   (Research)
Following habitat-destroying wildfires, researchers found that many male fairywrens failed to moult into their red-and-black ornamental plumage. More here >
Written by:  (02 Jul 2021)
 
 
Great Snipes fly at great heights during epic migrations   (Research)
Researchers have found Great Snipe migrating at nearly 2,500 metres and one bird was recorded at nearly 8,700 metres. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jul 2021)
 
 
More Norwegian Eagles flown to Kerry for reintroduction   (Conservation News)
Twenty-three White-tailed Eagle chicks have arrived in Co. Kerry, as part of a long-term wildlife reintroduction project. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jul 2021)
 
 
Grounded Alpine Swift released in Surrey   (News)
The bird was found grounded on June 22 in North Cheam, Surrey, and was taken to the charity wildlife hospital and rehabilitation centre run by Wildlife Aid Foundation. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jul 2021)
 
 
Three new species added to the British List   (British List)
The BOURC has added White-chinned Petrel, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Ruby-crowned Kinglet to the British List, taking the total to 626. More here >
Written by:  (01 Jul 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 22 - 28 June 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
A Roller in Suffolk delighted the crowds but unfortunately for Welsh birders the country's first Pacific Swift was a much more brief affair. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jun 2021)
 
 
Nearly 100 vultures fall victim to suspected mass poisoning in Spain   (Wildlife crime)
54 dead birds have been found in Castilla y Leon, suspected poisoned, with a further 41 birds alive but unlikely to survive. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jun 2021)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Pacific Swift, Glamorgan - A First for Wales   (Finders account)
Whilst out for a morning walk and swim, and without any binoculars, Cath Hammond finds Wales' first Pacific Swift and even manages some photos. More here >
Written by:  (29 Jun 2021)
 
 
Spanish sheep farmer jailed for 18 months for killing vultures   (Wildlife crime)
A Spanish sheep farmer in the province of Caceres in Eastern Spain has been jailed for 18 months and fined 18,000 euros - 6,000 euros for each Griffon Vulture he killed. More here >
Written by:  (28 Jun 2021)
 
 
Scottish Cuckoos are go   (Conservation News)
Three Cuckoos fitted with satellite tags by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) this spring have already left Scotland and begun their long journey south. More here >
Written by:  (28 Jun 2021)
 
 
Mark Avery's Book Review: The Screaming Sky   (Book review)
The poetry of swifts is in their facts, and The Screaming Sky, the latest in Little Toller's monograph series, draws deeply on the latest extraordinary discoveries. More here >
Written by:  (28 Jun 2021)
 
 
Spain bans Turtle Dove hunting for one year   (Conservation News)
The majority of regional authorities across Spain have agreed a one-year ban on the hunting of Turtle Doves, sparing an estimated 0.9 million birds that would otherwise be legally shot in the country. More here >
Written by:  (24 Jun 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 15 - 21 June 2021   (Weekly Roundup)
The focus shifted to Ireland this week with two national firsts, Red-winged Blackbird and Least Tern, the latter being only the second for the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jun 2021)
 
 
New Report Confirms Ongoing Crisis for North American Birds   (Research)
The report includes a significant number of shorebirds and seabirds some of which have seen their populations decrease by 70 percent since 1973. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jun 2021)
 
 
Storks sniff out freshly mown grass   (Research)
New Research studying White Storks suggests that the sense of smell may play a greater role in these and other birds than previously thought. More here >
Written by:  (22 Jun 2021)
 
 
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)
 
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