The High Court has this morning [13/11/2015] ruled that Natural England acted unlawfully when it refused to issue licences to kill buzzards.
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BirdLife in Turkey is protecting one of the world's most threatened bird species, 30 km from the Syrian border.
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On Monday 9th Nov, LPO/BirdLife France volunteers were physically assaulted by a man with a shovel after they attempted to remove illegal poaching traps in a village in south-east France.
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We review this new identification guide to the Wildfowl of Europe, Asia and North America and we have a special offer for all RBA subscribers.
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A twitchable Crag Martin in the centre of Chesterfield is the undoubted highlight of the week. Elsewhere a Blyth's Pipit at Spurns adds to what looks like a record year for the species.
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Despite showing long-term declines the latest State of the UK Birds report shows UK bird populations are benefiting from innovative partnerships.
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On a stop-off to look at the local Peregrines at Chesterfield's iconic 'crooked spire' All Saints Church, Roy Frost finds Derbyshire's first Crag Martin.
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After an almost 200-year disappearance, the first Green-winged Macaws have been released in northeastern Argentina.
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A new search for a bird not seen for over 60 years, the Makira Moorhen, failed to produce any sightings. However there were a couple of encouraging indications.
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Long-term monitoring of one of the country's most charismatic birds has revealed that the River Tay is possibly their largest stronghold in the UK.
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With just 25 adults left in the world and as few as 5 fertile pairs the Fatu Hiva Monarch is on the brink of going extinct.
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The Chestnut Bunting hung on for another couple of days, with highlights elsewhere including Hudsonian Whimbrel and Blyth's Pipit in Cornwall, multiple Pallid Swifts and Hume's Yellow-browed Warblers and a dapper adult male Pied Wheatear in Suffolk.
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Red-necked Phalaropes have bred at RSPB Scotland's Balranald nature reserve in North Uist after an absence of three decades.
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After six years of research by thousands of observers, volunteers and employees a new atlas of breeding birds in France is being published.
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The population of the secretive Agami Heron is expected to decline rapidly over the next three generations so a new conservation plan has been produced. More here >

There are fears a special conservation area in Turkey is being put at risk by a new road project to connect highland areas of the Eastern Black Sea region.
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Organised by Wader Quest a number of events are being held across the country to celebrate waders and raise concerns about their declining numbers.
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The Lynx reintroduction of Lynx into parts of Britain moved another another step towards reality this week as stakeholder consultations begin.
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Acclaimed artist Darren Woodhead has an upcoming exhibition of new work at the Scottish Ornithologists' Club, Waterston House, Aberlady.
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Four of the UK's bird species, including the Puffin and Turtle Dove, have been added to the list of birds considered to be facing the risk of global extinction.
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A Chestnut Bunting on Orkney was the main talking point of the week, and looks a good candidate for the first acceptable British record.
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The Global Seabird Tracking Database - one of the biggest marine conservation collaborations in the world - has just passed 5 million data points.
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On his annual trip to west Cornwall Dave Appleton finds a Brown Shrike at Porthgwarra, one that nearly got away!
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Visitors to WWT Martin Mere will get even closer to its famous spectacle of thousands of geese and swans after a brand new mega-hide was recently completed.
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Spurn is getting a new bird observatory in 2016 but needs to raise £150,000 to secure its future and needs your help!
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The results of the BTO's 2013 Woodcock Survey have been published and shows that the species is in serious decline, with numbers down nearly 30% since 2003. More here >

Jullian Branscombe details the finding of a Chestnut Bunting on Papa Westray that no doubt will again spark the debate about the status of this species on the British list. More here >

Brian Minshull describes the finding of typically elusive White's Thrush on Unst, Shetland.
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BirdAlertPRO has been updated for both iOS and Android and is now available to download. Its now iOS compatible and Android bugs have been fixed.
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A great account from Fair Isle Bird Obs senior assistant warden Ciaran Hatsell on finding this weeks Siberian Rubythroat.
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Another huge week for migrants, highlights included Wilson's Warbler, Siberian Rubythroat, Brown Shrike, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Blyth's Pipits, White's Thrush, and that's not even the half of it!
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A record-breaking number of Pink-footed Geese have arrived at the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve in Angus, The SWT have announced. More here >

Post mortem results on two Short-eared Owls found in a pothole in Co.Durham in March have confirmed that there were shot.
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A Sunderland resident has pleaded guilty to four charges of illegally taking rare Ring Ouzels from the wild in 2013.
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Paul Whiteman describes finding a Blyth's Pipit on Peninnis Head, St.Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
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Another huge weekly roundup with a country first in the shape of a Wilson's Warbler in Scotland. Elsewhere there were 'Sibes' galore and Scilly had another Blyth's Pipit for the record books. More here >

Tony Marr, along with old friend Roy Dennis, finds Scotland's first ever Wilson's Warbler at the north end of Lewis, 30 years to the day after Britain's first was found. More here >

WWT Warden James Lees describes finding a Little Crake on the Gloucestershire reserve, his second at the site, 10 years after his first!
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One of only three sites known in the world for the Endangered White-winged Nightjar is under threat of being sold, but you can help in the battle to save it. More here >

The Welsh Ornithological Society is concerned at the Welsh Government's approach to the shooting of species such as Goosander, Greenland White-fronted Goose and Cormorant.
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Will Scott conveys the excitement of finding a rare bird in a place that is clearly very dear to his heart.
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Following the recent story of scientist Chris Filardi killing a collecting a male Guadalcanal Moustached Kingfisher we are asking you if you agree with this practice.
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Results from the Big Butterfly Count have revealed that despite being 'locked in an evolutionary struggle' with a killer wasp the Holly Blue has bounced back.
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These islands represent 0.2% of EU territory but host over a quarter of the plant species listed in the Habitats Directive. Here's how BirdLife in Portugal is protecting them. More here >

The first Bewick's Swan of autumn arrived at WWT Slimbridge yesterday [11 Oct], the earliest for over 50 years, adding to speculation that we are in for a long and bitter winter. More here >

BirdLife International has launched a Pacific wide strategy for the conservation of critically endangered petrels, shearwaters and storm-petrels.
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In the latest TN we talk to RSPB Scotland about their opposition to the controversial cull of 30% of the Greenland-breeding Barnacle Geese wintering on Islay. Listen here >

Another big week this week as a Siberian Thrush is found on Fair Isle, Norfolk lands a Blyth's Pipit, Spurn has a day to remember and the influx of Yellow-browed Warblers continued. More here >

The first-ever migration census of the East Atlantic Fly-way has shown that the Wadden Sea, a very important area for migratory waders, is under significant threat. More here >

Despite long-term declines the BTO Garden Bird Feeding Survey data from the last two winters shows that more House Sparrows are turning to our garden feeding stations. More here >

BirdLife in Belgium has launched an online early warning system to help deal with introduced species that are damaging to native flora and fauna.
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This authoritative handbook, looks in detail at the world's 170 species of robins and chats and 64 superb colour plates by the internationally renowned artist, Chris Rose. More here >

Europe's wildlife remains in crisis, that's the clear finding from the European Commission's latest assessment of nature.
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We hear from finder of Britain's first Acadian Flycatcher Martin Casemore on his terrific find and from BOURC chair Martin Collinson on the DNA sampling that confirmed the identification.
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The biggest weekly roundup of the year includes Thick-billed Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Grey-cheeked and Swainson's Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Harrier, Pallid Harriers and much more.
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Britain's first carnivore recovery scheme on a nationwide scale is underway. Native Pine Martens from Scotland are beginning a new life in Wales.
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The European Commission is referring Malta to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) for its decision to allow finch trapping on its territory.
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A satellite-tagged Egyptian Vulture had to be guarded for 24 hours by BirdLife Malta and Police after it arrived on the Island, notorious for illegal bird killings.
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A spectacular forest kingfisher, not seen since the 1950s, has been rediscovered and photographed in the highlands of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
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A comprehensive survey of Jakarta's sprawling bird markets shows the daunting scale of the illegal trade in native birds and raises the alarm for Indonesia, home to the highest number of threatened bird species in Asia. More here >

The WWT is taking a complaint to European Commission in Brussels over the culling of a quarter of Islay's Barnacle Geese.
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New research by the BTO has revealed that bird food provided in British gardens has helped Blackcaps to rapidly evolve a successful new migration route.
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Citizen scientists from across the globe are needed to help a team of University of Sheffield researchers map 3D scans of the bills of every living species of bird in the world. More here >

An apparent Acadian Flycatcher at Dungeness, Kent was the shock find of the week and of 2015 so far! Other highlights included a Collared Flycatcher on Shetland and record counts of Yellow-browed Warblers. More here >

Four Northern Bald Ibis chicks, bred at Chester Zoo, have been flown to Spain as part of a reintroduction programme that will see the species flying in Europe again. More here >

With more than three months to go American birder Noah Strycker has broken the world record for the most species of bird seen in one year, 4,342!
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Following our recent review of another bird call recognition app, Warblr, Marcus takes a look at ChirpoMatic.
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The Storm Petrel has this year made a comeback in the West Country, breeding at new locations on the Isles of Scilly and for a 2nd year on Lundy.
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An adult Hudsonian Godwit in Co.Galway is the week's star turn. Elsewhere there is a Short-toed Treecreeper at Dungeness, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and multiple Pallid Harriers on Shetland.
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The RSPB has warned that almost 300 of England's most important wildlife sites are at risk from fracking.
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A community group and wildlife charities have objected to a planning application to build a road and up to 1,650 news houses on greenfield land on the western edge of the town of Brandon. More here >

The European Commission and British Government have officially opened Jubilee Marsh, marking the completion of the first phase of the RSPB Wallasea Island Wild Coast project.
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Rapid deforestation of a Dominican Republic National Park is finally receiving the attention it deserves from the country's authorities and civil society, thanks to a project which is addressing the root causes of its destruction. More here >

Six schools across the United Kingdom have named this years Cuckoo fledglings following a competition organised by the BTO and EFT Energy.
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Andy Stoddard reviews the latest in Martin Garner's Challenge Series and this time up its Winter.
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Considering the time of year it was a reasonably quiet week. East coast sea-watchers were treated to a Fea's type Petrel whilst a duo of Pallid Harriers starred on Shetland. More here >

Birdwatch Ireland has voiced serious concerns over the decision to allow filming of the latest Starwars movie on Skellig Michael, an internationally important seabird colony.
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Great news for world's largest breeding colony of Crab Plover and other waders as the State of Kuwait becomes the 169th Contracting Party of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
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Jim Almond looks back a memorable 12 days spent on St. Mary's when he took part in Scilly Pelagic sessions from the 6th to 18th August 2015.
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Following many recent reports about the dramatic and catastrophic decline of Yellow-breasted Bunting some more positive news from Beijing.
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Don't get let down by the phone signal on Scilly and Shetland this autumn. Hire a RBA pager and make sure you get all the news on all the birds.
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Run by RBA contributor Jon Dunn, Ravenscourt is a new self-catering cottage on Mainland, Shetland ideal for birders. Plus Jon is giving RBA subscribers £50 off a week-long stay! More here >

Marcus Nash reviews a new smartphone app designed to recognise bird calls and songs in the field. Unfortunately in-the-field is where Marcus couldn't really use it! More here >

Seabirds took centre stage this week with a Red-billed Tropicbird off Gwennap Head and two Barolo Shearwaters, in Cornwall and Pembrokeshire. Other highlights included two Pallid Harriers on Shetland and a flock of 23 Cattle Egrets in Dorset.
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We received over 1000 votes in our poll on the Hawk and Owl Trust's plans on Hen Harrier Brood management and its clear that birders do not support the plans. More here >

With a boom in renewable energy in Africa a million kilometres of new power lines is being planned which potentially will pose a threat to migrating birds along the Red Sea and the Rift Valley.
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Despite the lack of photos Martin Birch writes a wonderful account of finding a Red-billed Tropicbird off Gwennap Head, Cornwall.
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BirdLife International and OSME signed a memorandum of understanding during the Birdfair 2015 in Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Egleton, UK.
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Two more Red Kites have been confirmed by Scottish Government testing to have been illegally killed in north Scotland.
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A major step for the future of vultures in Asia was announced by the Indian Ministry of Health when a ban of multi-dose vials of human formulations of diclofenac, has come into force with immediate effect.
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Five Spoon-billed Sandpipers fostered by conservationists from the Widfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) a year ago have returned to Siberia to breed.
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News from Morocco where field workers have observed unique behaviour by Eleonora's Falcons imprisoning prey to eat at a later stage.
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Drift migrants were the order of the week with impressive numbers of migrants being recorded along the east coast.
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BirdLife International's first review into the illegal killing of birds in the Mediterranean has been published, and it has uncovered the shocking death toll suffered by a number of the region's species.
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Following an in-depth interview with the chair of the Hawk and Owl Trust, Philip Merricks, we are asking readers if they now back the Hawk and Owl Trust's decision to support harrier brood management.
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News from the Sound Approach team on the Omani Owl, which, after DNA analysis has now been confirmed as one of two different Strix species in the Middle East.
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A super showy Fea's Petrel is photographed off the Isles of Scilly whilst a Fan-tailed Warbler is found in West Sussex. A nice fall of drift migrants kept patch workers busy and hopeful.
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A satellite-tagged Cuckoo, named Chris after wildlife presenter Chris Packham, has gone missing over The Sahara after giving scientists over 4 years of migration data. More here >

BirdLife International have announced the wonderful news that the Chinese Crested Tern has had its most successful breeding season since its rediscovery.
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Researchers studying a group of very similar-looking South American woodpecker species have shown that they use visual mimicry to avoid competition, as they are genetically very different.
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