Go to article BirdLife Cyprus has released its newest report on illegal bird trapping with data gathered between 31 August and 8 November 2010, showing a dramatic rise in such activity

Go to article National Nest Box Week, launched by the British Trust for Ornithology, in partnership with Jacobi Jayne, will once again take place from the 14 February – 21 February 2011.

Go to article The very first Turnstone to be tracked with geolocator technology has been shown to fly a 27,000 km round-trip on migration.

Go to article At least half a million people are expected to be watching more garden birds than ever before at the weekend, (29-30 January), for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

Go to article The head gamekeeper at Holkham Estate, Norfolk, has been charged with a series of wildlife crime and firearms offences following a police investigation. 41 year-old Nicholas Parker has been charged with killing a Schedule One wild bird plus a string of other firearms related offences

Go to article An American Purple Gallinule has been found dead in a Devon garden. With only two previously accepted records of this species in Britain it is a huge rarity. In 2008 a bird was found dead in Bedfordshire and in 1958 an exhausted bird was picked up on the Isles of Scilly and later died in care.

Go to article The marshlands of Iraq once almost destroyed by the Saddam Hussein regime have begun a wholesale regeneration since the second Iraq War finished.

Go to article The return of the great bustard to the UK has been given a significant boost thanks to European Union funding. The Great Bustard Project, based on Salisbury Plain, has been awarded a EU LIFE+ €2.2million grant to enlarge the project over the next five years.

Go to article As ringing Little Egrets in the UK is a relatively new phenomenon we are finding out all sorts of new information about their demography. Two birds ringed in Gwynedd and Galway have been recorded in the Canaries and the Azores.

Go to article Many people's hard-earned winter skiing break may in fact be a threat to Capercaillie, Europe's largest gamebird.

Go to article The second part of our rarity roundup includes such gems as Alder Flycatcher, American Bittern, Northern Parula, Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Common Nighthawk, Brown Flycatcher, Red-necked Stint and River Warbler.

Go to article The level of songbird trapping in Cyprus this autumn has increased alarmingly. With an estimated 1.4 million birds caught this autumn, the RSPB believes that more must be done to bring this slaughter to a halt.

Go to article A shag photographed in Dover has enabled the photographer to read the rings and identify the individual.

Go to article As part of a European wide project documenting the issue of marine plastics pollution, the British Trust for Ornithology is asking people to keep an eye out for dead Fulmars over the festive period and into next year.

Go to article The first part of a review of the rarities found across the UK in 2010. From January to June, it was a period with many memorable rarities such as Marmora's Warbler, Oriental Pratincole and White-tailed Plover etc.

Go to article FIRST PUBLISHED 6 DECEMBER. REISSUED 22 DECEMBER. Birders are being asked to take special care not to disturb birds during this spell of severe weather as doing so could increase stress and mortality in birds at a time when they are struggling to survive in the freezing temperatures.

Go to article Determined special needs teacher Gary Prescott completed his record-breaking year long cycle ride this weekend, visiting every RSPB nature reserve in the country while perched on a saddle. Finishing up at the charity’s headquarters, the Biking Birder, as he’s fondly known, was finally able to chain up his bike on Saturday.

Go to article A Stone Curlew ringed as a chick in the Brecks in June of this year has been found dead under the snow at Lindisfarne

Go to article BirdLife’s work to save two key resting and feeding sites in China, used by one of the world’s oddest and most appealing waterbirds is to receive support from Disney’s Friends for Change initiative. The project will receive at least $25,000. But with votes from children around the world that could rise to $50,000, or even $100,000

Go to article The recent freezing conditions across Britain have made feeding conditions very difficult for most birds and Barns Owls seem to be having a particularly hard time.

Go to article A pioneering project that twins bird lovers with land owners to survey farmland birds has released its end of year results, and they include a few surprises.

Go to article Following the very large numbers of Waxwings which have turned up this winter, and requests from a number of our customers, we are changing their rarity status from Scarcity to Uncommon from Monday 13th December.

Go to article The BTO have undergone a large scale re-branding and have replaced their long-standing gannet logo. Visit their new updated website and see two videos from BTO director, Andy Clements, explaining the reasons behind the new brand.

Go to article There has been outrage expressed by wildlife conservation charities BirdWatch Ireland, RSPB Northern Ireland and the Golden Eagle Trust at the poisoning of one of Ireland’s most magnificent birds of prey, the Golden Eagle.

Go to article A Barnacle Goose ringed by Steve Percival on 13/11/2002 on Islay has been found some 5200kms away at Orchard Beach, Bronx USA.

Go to article A re-introduction scheme in the Gateshead is trying to come to terms with the illegal poisoning of a fourth Red Kite in as little as 12 months, sparking a police investigation.

Go to article Our autumn prize draw and photo competition has now closed and we would like to thank everyone who uploaded their photos. We have chosen the winners for the photo competition and drawn the winners in the free entry prize draw.

Go to article Capercaillie has been enjoying a resurgence in managed national forests in Scotland, thanks to targeted conservation efforts, according to a release by Forestry Commission Scotland.

Go to article Photos of Waxwings are not hard to come by this winter, but for one family on Fair Isle a flock in their garden allowed for some unique hands-on' interaction. Read about the Hyndman's amazing day on Fair Isle juggling Waxwings!

Go to article Conservationists and farmers are celebrating the best breeding season to date for Wessex’s population of Stone Curlews.

Go to article 2010 has proved a record-breaking year for the UK’s largest bird of the prey, the White-tailed Eagle.

Go to article A new unique project in northern Sweden involves trapping adult Golden Eagles and fitting them with satellite transmitters in an attempt to see whether large-scale wind farms may have a negative effect on them.

Go to article Cirl Buntings in Cornwall have continued to increase after year five of the reintroduction project, thanks to to the generally fine summer weather.

Go to article This year’s breeding season across the UK has been poor for many seabirds but good for others, according to monitoring on RSPB’s coastal reserves

Go to article Steve Young has taken the top prize in the British Wildlife Photography Awards with his photo of a Herring Gull amongst the waves on Porthcressa beach on Scillies.

Go to article Whilst doing his normal daily checks Bob Mitchell from the Lost Gardens of Heligan found only the 7th Green Heron to turn up in Britain.

Go to article Following the occurrence of an empidonax flycatcher in October 2008 few could have predicted another and even fewer would have predicted it turning up in Norfolk. Local artist and rarity magnet James McCallaum takes up the story.

Go to article Ask just about any birder what would be a dream find and most would come back with Northern Parula. Well for RBSP Officer on Tiree, John Bowler, it is no longer a dream! Read John's finders account here

Go to article Hunters on Malta have once again brought shame on the Island with their latest killing spree, this time targeting Spoonbills on migration to Africa.

Go to article Largely confined to the east of the UK Marsh Harriers have had a unexpected breeding success in Cheshire.

Go to article On the Somerset Levels The Great Crane project reaches a critical stage as young cranes are released into the wild.

Go to article 2009 was another shocking year for the persecution of birds of prey in Wales with incidents of shooting, trapping and poisoning, according to the RSPB’s 20th annual Birdcrime report.

Go to article The BOURC announce the addition of four species to Category A of the British List, and accept a new first record of another. BUT.. the Alder Flycatcher gets sent back to BBRC.

Full details here Be part of it all for 2010 and experience some of the nations most exhilarating birding with Shetland's top birding guides. Last minute availability on their autumn rarity finding trip 1-8 Oct. Call 01957 733 372 and quote RBA1 to secure your place at a discount.

Go to article A 15 year study shows that seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries is grossly underestimated when using only "haul data". This study shows that roughly half of birds caught during pelagic longline setting are not retrieved when the gear is retrieved.

Go to article Bitterns have enjoyed their most successful year since they recolonised the UK in 1911 (following 25 years of British extinction).

Watch the video Glossy Ibis at Portmarnock in Co.Dublin on 26th Aug - video footage of two juveniles, one bearing a ring from Coto Donana, Spain

Go to blog Red-necked Stint - a first for Dorset - read all about this amazing bird on the finders blog entry for 27th August

Go to article A massive forest fire on the island of Madeira has killed several breeding adults and 65% of this year’s chicks of Zino’s Petrel. A disaster appeal has been set up for funds to carry out emergency conservation work needed before the winter sets in.

Go to article A Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) scientist just returned from Svalbard has confirmed that polar bears stranded on land due to lack of polar ice are devastating breeding Barnacle Goose populations.

Go to article The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust released the first juveniles produced for the Great Crane Project reintroduction scheme this week.

Go to video After sightings of two Northern Bottlenose Whales in the Wash video footage confiming the reports has surfaced.

Go to video Amazing footage of a Fox attacking a Nightjar nest. Don't blink or you'll miss the action! The Fox returns at the end of the video.

Go to article The first Purple Heron chick ever to be raised successfully in the UK has taken its first flight and is learning to fend for itself. One chick has been seen flying around the RSPB’s Dungeness nature reserve in Kent.

Go to article The River Warbler in Norfolk last month raised nearly £2,000 for conservation, and half of that has just been presented to help kick-start a new appeal to buy marshland in Norfolk.

Go to article Wading birds on the Ouse Washes have stunned staff at Welney WWT by turning up in droves to breed thanks to newly created habitat, giving eager visitors the chance to see them rearing their chicks.

Go to article Stunning new video of displaying Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

Go to article The Spoonbill - which has bred only four times in Britain in the last three centuries – has had a stunning success at Natural England’s Holkham reserve in Norfolk - for the first time in over 300 years the UK has its own breeding colony of these beautiful birds.

Go to article One of Sheringham's most dedicated seawatchers was once again rewarded for putting in some long hours when a King Eider dropped onto the sea just offshore, Phil Vines takes up the story.

Go to article Spotting an opportunity to set up a new nesting area for Ringed Plovers on one of Britain's busiest beaches Natural England staff at Holkham NNR were delighted to see that 38 pairs of Little Terns have also decided to call the area home.

Go to article This summer sees several changes to the membership of BOURC as they announce the appointments of Martin Collinson as Chairman, and James Gilroy as an ordinary member of the Committee.

Go to article Following much speculation the RSPB have confirmed that Little Bitterns have in fact bred successfully in Somerset, only the second time they have bred in Britain.

Go to article The Big Butterfly Count project wants your butterfly sightings during July 24 - August 1st. This exciting project is one that everyone can participate in, and the results can be viewed live online on an interactive map.

Go to article Marine plastic litter is increasingly seen as a serious environmental problem. Fulmar studies in the North Sea shed light on what is happening.

Go to article Martin Kitching shares some of the great seabirding and cetacean watching from pelagics off north east England

Go to article A failing breeding Avocet colony on the Humber has enjoyed a dramatic reversal in fortunes with its most successful season ever, thanks to a major restoration project.

Go to article The finders story of this week's River Warbler at Thorpe Marshes, Norfolk, with HD video, soundfile and new photos. The full story of the big twitch in our backyard..

Go to article With sightings of both a male and female Little Bittern at Ham Wall RSPB recently there is growing speculation, and hope, that they may have successfully bred there this year.

Go to article After the disappearance of the White-tailed Plover from Rainham, it wasn't long before another observer was lucky enough to find this elegant wader again. Giles Diggle tells the story.

Go to article A pelagic in the south west can be the highlight of many birders year. Great and Cory's Shearwaters are highly likely and with the added possibilty or rarities such as Wilson's Petrel its an opportunity not to be missed.

Go to article A quiet July day at one of Britain's newest nature reserves was about to turn into a day never to forget for two members of staff, Sam Shippey takes up the story.

Go to article The RSPB’s ten year long project at Hope Farm in the Cambridgeshire countryside has been a bigger success than expected, says the charity.

Go to article For the past six years Richard Porter has been working with young Iraqi conservationists to help them prepare for their wildlife surveys in a war-torn country. This July they are celebrating their endeavours, and the wildlife of Iraq, with an exhibition and talk in North Norfolk.

Go to article Getting good views of Crested Tit can be a challenge in itself. So getting frame filling photos of this endearing bird is an even greater challenge. Photographer and bird guide Marcus Conway shares his photography and field craft expertise with tips and advice on how to get face to face with this diminutive Scottish gem.

Go to article A new paper just published finds that Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus has undergone a rapid population decline since 2000 and faces imminent extinction unless conservation measures are taken.

Go to article An RSPB scheme aimed at reversing the decline of Scotland’s wading bird population is being enthusiastically supported by Scottish farmers.

Go to article One of the rarest and most beautiful breeding birds in Britain can be seen in June and July on RSPB reserves on Fetlar and Lewis. Our Where to Find guide tells you all you need to know on where to see them and how to get there.

Go to article With news of successful breeding just eight days ago Britain's fragile Great Bustard population suffers a setback with news of an abandoned nest.

Go to article True to form a Pacific Swift put in an all to brief appearance near Copenhagen on 15th Jun. It did stay long enough for one lucky Norfolk birder (now resident there!) to catch up with it. Terry Townshend takes up the story

Go to article Cornish people will be delighted to hear that three pairs of wild chough have successfully raised nine youngsters this year.

Go to article One of the finest birdwatching and wildlife experiences in Oxfordshire will be unveiled at the RSPB Otmoor nature reserve by RSPB’s new Chief Executive Dr Mike Clarke on Friday 18 June.

Go to article New results from the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO’s) Garden BirdWatch suggest that the harsh winter could be having lasting effects on Britain’s smallest bird.

Go to article Initial results from the RSPB’s summer wildlife survey, Make Your Nature Count, reveals that House Martin numbers are worryingly low.

Go to article After a series of sightings involving several individuals over the winter, Killdeer has been found nesting on Santa Maria in the Azores - the first proved breeding record in the Western Palearctic.

Go to article Natural England announced today (Monday 14 June) that it will not continue as lead partner in the current project for the reintroduction of White-tailed (Sea) Eagles to Suffolk.‪

Go to article One of the most spectacular birds on the planet, the Great Bustard looks set to consolidate its return to the UK with the team behind its reintroduction confirming the presence of four nests, with four chicks hatched so far this year.

Go to article An Eagle Owl in Bowland, Lancashire, has been caught on CCTV attacking a female Hen Harrier on its nest. Natural England and the RSPB confirmed that while the owl was still present a few hours later, the incubating harrier has not been seen again and its nest has now failed.

Go to article Huge numbers of seabirds are dying because of the failure of the European Commission to force fishing fleets to adopt simple measures already in use in the southern hemisphere, claims the RSPB

Go to article During the last 25 years the number of breeding Cuckoos in the UK has dropped by over two-thirds. Could climate-induced changes that allow birds like the Dunnock and Meadow Pipit to nest up to a week earlier than in 1994, mean the Cuckoo is arriving back in the UK too late to lay eggs in their nests?

Go to article For the first time ever Britain is hosting a nesting pair of Purple Herons at Dungeness in Kent but this newest species breeding bird is under threat from an airport development in Kent.

Go to article Twite face imminent extinction in Ireland according to BirdWatch Ireland. Conservation measures have been proposed to try and save the remaining breeding population.

Go to article The discovery of a dead White-tailed Eagle, the third to be found dead in Ireland in the last month, has brought fierce criticism from the Norwegian ambassador to Ireland. The eagles are part of a reintroduction scheme involving bird brought from Norway.

From Dutch Birding, another in-depth identification article from some of Europe's top ornithologists. (Note: please be patient with loading as the file is 1.9mb)

Go to article Populations of Tawny Owls have been booming in Kielder Forest according to the Forestry Commission, which believes that this is due to an increase in vole numbers.

Go to article The latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO’s) Garden BirdWatch have just been published and reveal dramatic increases in some garden birds, and sadly, continuing declines in others.

Go to article The British Bird Rarities Committee seeks a new candidate to replace their longest serving member, John Sweeney, in June 2010.

Go to article The first eight crane chicks destined to be released into the wild later this year as part of the Great Crane Project have successfully hatched at WWT Slimbridge.

Go to article Life-sized polystyrene Ospreys are being used at an RSPB reserve in an attempt to attract the real thing to some specially made nests.

Go to article Latest figures, published by the UK Government, reveal that many England’s birds are still declining, especially in the south. Farmland and woodland birds have suffered the greatest falls.

Go to article New research into the reasons behind the low expansion rate of the Red Kite population of the north of Scotland reveals that the species is being severely restricted by illegal killing.