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.
 
 
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 4 - 10 Jul    (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (11 Jul 2023)
 
 
Two White-tailed Eagles poisoned in Antrim   (Wildlife crime)
Two dead White-tailed Eagles recovered from the Glenwherry area, Ballymena were illegally poisoned, it has been confirmed. More here >
Written by: RSPB (11 Jul 2023)
 
 
World's most threatened seabirds visit remote plastic pollution hotspots   (Research)
An analysis of global tracking data for 77 species of petrel has revealed that a quarter of all plastics potentially encountered in their search for food are in remote international waters. More here >
Written by:  (11 Jul 2023)
 
 
Birds raise fewer young when spring arrives earlier in a warming world   (Research)
Rising global temperatures are making it harder for birds to know when it's spring and time to breed according to a new study. More here >
Written by:  (07 Jul 2023)
 
 
Vineyard fungicides pose a threat to survival of wild birds   (Research)
New research reveals that wild birds living in vineyards can be highly susceptible to contamination by triazole fungicides, more so than in other agricultural landscapes. More here >
Written by:  (07 Jul 2023)
 
 
BTO celebrates 90th birthday   (News)
Members and supporters of the British Trust for Ornithology came together to celebrate the leading bird research and monitoring charity's 90th birthday at its headquarters in Thetford, Norfolk. More here >
Written by: BTO (07 Jul 2023)
 
 
RSPB demands government action following marine heatwave off UK coast   (Conservation News)
The RSPB is calling on the UK Government to act now to help safeguard the future of threatened seabirds following record-breaking marine temperatures. More here >
Written by: RSPB (07 Jul 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 27 Jun - 3 Jul 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic, headlined by two rare swifts. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (04 Jul 2023)
 
 
The social costs of Vulture Collapse in India   (Conservation News)
A recently published working paper sheds light on the ecological and socio-economic impacts of vulture collapse in India. More here >
Written by: VCF (04 Jul 2023)
 
 
Man receives community order for illegally-set spring trap   (Wildlife crime)
A man has received a community order for an illegally-set spring trap that caused catastrophic leg injuries to a Barn Owl. More here >
Written by: Raptor Persecution UK (04 Jul 2023)
 
 
Songbird study shows one-hit wonder must change his tune to attract a mate   (Research)
Male birds that are able to precisely repeat song notes stand the best chance of attracting a female mate. More here >
Written by:  (04 Jul 2023)
 
 
Large investment needed for nature and climate-friendly farming   (Conservation News)
New study finds at least £4.4bn a year needed for nature and climate-friendly farming to meet legal targets. More here >
Written by: RSPB (04 Jul 2023)
 
 
Bee-eater nest in Norfolk quarry fails   (News)
The RSPB has reported that the Bee-eater nest in a north Norfolk quarry has failed, possibly due to predation by stoats. More here >
Written by:  (28 Jun 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 20 - 26 Jun 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (27 Jun 2023)
 
 
Another Cinereous Vulture collides with Greek wind turbine   (News)
The latest incident has again shed light on the increasing cumulative effects of wind turbines on protected birds of prey and vultures in the Thrace region of Greece. More here >
Written by: VCF,  (27 Jun 2023)
 
 
New wave of bird flu rips through threatened gull and tern colonies   (News)
At least 10,000 Black-headed Gulls, 4% of the total UK population, are feared to have died since the end of March. Hundreds of Common Terns have also died, with signs of severe losses for this species still to come. More here >
Written by: BTO (27 Jun 2023)
 
 
National Lottery pledges towards an ambitious £8m nature partnership   (News)
Urgent action to save Wales's most vulnerable wildlife, including the High Brown Fritillary, is set to get underway this summer, thanks to the players of the National Lottery. More here >
Written by:  (27 Jun 2023)
 
 
Scientists discover why Cuckoos' clocks can't adjust to climate change   (Research)
Spring is arriving earlier each year but Cuckoos are unable to shift the timings of their annual migration in response. More here >
Written by: BTO (22 Jun 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 13 - 19 Jun 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic, and this week it was finds in Cambridgeshire making the headlines. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (20 Jun 2023)
 
 
Bee-eaters make historic return to Norfolk breeding site   (News)
Eight birds, including a nesting pair, have been spotted again in a sand quarry near Cromer - the first time the summer visitors have returned to the same breeding site in the UK in consecutive years. More here >
Written by: RBA (20 Jun 2023)
 
 
Bearded Vulture dies after colliding with wind turbine in the Netherlands   (News)
This is only the second documented case of a Bearded Vulture being killed by a wind turbine in Europe. More here >
Written by:  (20 Jun 2023)
 
 
Europe's landfill closures may threaten Egyptian Vultures   (Research)
If urban landfills disappear under the new European regulation, some endangered birds such as the Egyptian Vulture will need alternatives to their feeding patterns in order to survive in the future. More here >
Written by:  (20 Jun 2023)
 
 
Lead contamination may mean fewer mockingbirds   (Research)
A new study finds that lead contamination in cities isn't just a risk for children. It could also mean fewer hatchlings for mockingbirds. More here >
Written by:  (20 Jun 2023)
 
 
Urban Great Tits less stressed than their countryside cousins   (Research)
Researchers at Lund University have discovered that Great Tits in urban environments have lower levels of stress hormones than their cousins who live in the forest. More here >
Written by:  (20 Jun 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 6 - 12 Jun 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (13 Jun 2023)
 
 
Strawberry growing threatens Europe's most important wetland   (News)
Satellite images show that Spain is in danger of drying out one of the main wetlands in Europe. More here >
Written by:  (13 Jun 2023)
 
 
Cuckoos are tagged and ready to go   (News)
The BTO has fitted 10 more Cuckoos with state-of-the-art satellite tags, allowing scientists and the general public to track their annual migration to central Africa and back. More here >
Written by: BTO (13 Jun 2023)
 
 
Police seeking man following Red Kite death   (News)
Police Scotland are trying to trace a man who found a Red Kite near Closeburn in Dumfries and Galloway. More here >
Written by:  (13 Jun 2023)
 
 
Osprey euthanised following shot gun injuries   (Wildlife crime)
The RSPCA has euthanised an Osprey after it was found shot and injured near Washington, Tyne and Wear on 26th May. More here >
Written by:  (13 Jun 2023)
 
 
WWT awarded £21 million to restore coastal saltmarsh in UK   (Conservation News)
WWT has teamed up with Aviva, the savings and insurance business, on a ground-breaking project to restore saltmarshes in the UK - unlocking the superpowers of wetlands. More here >
Written by: WWT (13 Jun 2023)
 
 
Man charged in relation to Goshawk deaths   (Wildlife crime)
Francis Addison, 72, from South Park, Weeting, has been charged with multiple offences relating to wildlife crime as well as firearms offences. More here >
Written by:  (08 Jun 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 30 May - 5 Jun 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (06 Jun 2023)
 
 
Black-winged Stilts breed in Lincolnshire for the first time   (Conservation News)
The RSPB has announced that a pair of Black-winged Stilts have hatched four young at their Frampton Marsh nature reserve in Lincolnshire, the first recorded breeding of the species in the county. More here >
Written by:  (06 Jun 2023)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Turkestan Shrike, West Rise Marsh, East Sussex   (Finders account)
David Thorns describes finding a Turkestan Shrike at West Rise Marsh in East Sussex, a first for the county. More here >
Written by: David Thorns,  (06 Jun 2023)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Song Sparrow, Bardsey, Gwynedd, May 2023   (Finders account)
Assistant bird observatory warden Ed Betteridge, finds a Song Sparrow on Bardsey, the second record for Wales and the famous island. More here >
Written by: Ed Betteridge,  (06 Jun 2023)
 
 
More Hen Harriers disappear in suspicious circumstances   (Wildlife crime)
Two Hen Harriers have vanished in suspicious circumstances in just two weeks within the Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and nearby North Yorkshire. More here >
Written by: RSPB (06 Jun 2023)
 
 
Competition opens to find the UK's most knowledgeable young birders   (News)
Applications are now open for this year's Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder competition, held at Spurn MigFest in East Yorkshire from 8-10 September. More here >
Written by: BTO (06 Jun 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 23 - 29 May 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (30 May 2023)
 
 
Gulls decide what to eat by watching people   (Research)
New research has show that Herring Gulls chose what food to scavenge by looking at what humans nearby were eating. More here >
Written by:  (30 May 2023)
 
 
How forest fragmentation affects birds depends on their wings   (Research)
Researchers have shown that the extent to which bird wings are designed for crossing gaps is an important factor affecting their ability to survive habitat fragmentation. More here >
Written by:  (30 May 2023)
 
 
Returning birds are a ray of hope for UK curlew numbers   (News)
Four Curlews hand-reared from eggs by WWT staff have returned to the Severn Vale and Avon Vales and bred with wild birds, representing a ray of hope for the threatened species. More here >
Written by: WWT (30 May 2023)
 
 
Island school sets out to protect rare breeding birds on Scilly   (News)
Pupils at the St Martin's Base of Five Islands Academy, Isles of Scilly, have set out to adopt and protect nests of a rare breeding shorebird on the island. More here >
Written by:  (26 May 2023)
 
 
Nightjar numbers hit record high on RSPB reserves   (Conservation News)
A total of 198 territorial male Nightjars were recorded during surveys last year, up from 178 in 2021. More here >
Written by: RSPB (25 May 2023)
 
 
Signs of hope for two threatened farmland songbirds   (Conservation News)
A major new report reports increases in Skylark and Corn Buntings whilst other species including Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Grey Partridge and Turtle Dove continue to decline. More here >
Written by: BTO (25 May 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 16 - 22 May 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (23 May 2023)
 
 
RSPB Scotland hails consultation on ending commercial sandeel fishing in Scottish waters   (Conservation News)
The removal of sandeels, small oily fish, from Scottish waters - almost exclusively by EU trawlers - has been an issue for decade. More here >
Written by:  (23 May 2023)
 
 
Cities have a role to play in bird conservation   (News)
Cities provide important connections to nature as well as habitat for many species, according to new research. More here >
Written by:  (23 May 2023)
 
 
Report: Butterflies across the EU are in decline   (News)
The diagnosis sounds worrying: More than 80% of habitats in the EU are currently considered vulnerable. More here >
Written by:  (23 May 2023)
 
 
Welsh parliament votes to ban snares   (News)
Leading animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports has praised politicians in Wales following a crucial vote on snaring. More here >
Written by:  (23 May 2023)
 
 
Northern Irish police appeal for information as two White-tailed Eagles found dead   (Wildlife crime)
The birds found near Ballymena had no obvious signs of injury and suspicions have been raised given the unlikely position where they were found. More here >
Written by:  (23 May 2023)
 
 
Dumfries-shire man avoids prison term for 'serious' bird poisoning   (Wildlife crime)
Barry Nicolle pleaded guilty to 14 charges relating to the poisoning of Red Kites with banned pesticides, and placing poisonous baits out in the countryside. More here >
Written by:  (23 May 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 9 - 15 May 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (16 May 2023)
 
 
Book of the Week: Birds in Pictures (Mini version)   (News)
RBA subscribers can get this title from WildSounds and Books for the special price of just £7.99, quote RBABOTW. More here >
Written by: WildSounds & Books,  (16 May 2023)
 
 
Controversial Wash barrage plans would be 'catastrophic' for nature   (Conservation News)
Scientists and conservation organisations have hit back at claims made this week by the developer of a proposed tidal barrage across The Wash which experts say would cause 'catastrophic damage' to nature. More here >
Written by: RSPB (16 May 2023)
 
 
Intensive agriculture found to be the main pressure behind most bird population declines   (Conservation News)
Numbers of European farmland bird species found to have more than halved between 1980 and 2016 with pesticides and fertiliser use being found to drive the decline. More here >
Written by: RSPB (16 May 2023)
 
 
Avian Influenza as disease killing thousands of inland gulls   (News)
Avian Influenza is killing large numbers of Black-headed Gulls at inland and coastal breeding colonies, prompting fears among scientists that a new wave of the disease could be building. More here >
Written by: BTO (16 May 2023)
 
 
Scientists track the epic flight of fledged albatross   (Research)
26 young black-browed albatrosses fitted with satellite transmitters on Bird Island in South Georgia are now being tracked in near real-time. More here >
Written by: British Antarctic Survey,  (16 May 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 2 - 8 May 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (09 May 2023)
 
 
Study reveals excessive lead levels in raw dog food with pheasant   (Research)
A staggering 77% of raw dog food with pheasant has excessive levels of lead - posing significant risks to our pets, the latest study has confirmed. More here >
Written by:  (09 May 2023)
 
 
Temporary moratorium on shooting Turtle Doves in south west Europe   (News)
One of the UK's fastest-declining wild bird species, the Turtle Dove, has been thrown a "lifeline" by the European Commission. More here >
Written by: RSPB (09 May 2023)
 
 
Black eyes in seabirds indicates bird flu survival   (Research)
Scientists have discovered evidence that Northern Gannets can recover from bird flu and that unusual black iris coloration is linked to a previous HPAIV infection. More here >
Written by: RSPB (09 May 2023)
 
 
Wildlife Crime: Hen Harrier has head pulled off whilst alive and 20 others go missing   (Wildlife crime)
The shocking news comes as Natural England announce an extension to the Hen Harrier Brood Management scheme which was meant to reduce persecution. More here >
Written by: RSPB (09 May 2023)
 
 
Endangered Dupont's Lark population declined by 66% after snow storm   (Research)
Storm Filomena was a extratropical cyclone in early January 2021 that was most notable for bringing unusually heavy snowfall to parts of Spain. More here >
Written by:  (09 May 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 25 Apr - 1 May 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic, which included a first for Britain. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (02 May 2023)
 
 
Farmer sent to prison for 'ecological vandalism' of Herefordshire river   (News)
John Price hired diggers and bulldozers to illegally rip up trees along the banks of the River Lugg. More here >
Written by:  (02 May 2023)
 
 
Moths are more efficient pollinators than bees   (Research)
Amid widespread concern about the decline of wild pollinating insects like bees and butterflies, researchers have discovered that moths are particularly vital pollinators for nature. More here >
Written by:  (02 May 2023)
 
 
Bird flu outbreak spreads across West African migratory route   (News)
An avian influenza outbreak has been detected in the West African nations of Senegal and The Gambia. More here >
Written by: NHM,  (02 May 2023)
 
 
WWT nearly doubles the area of land under its management with new lease   (Conservation News)
WWT is set to nearly double the total area of land it looks after for nature after agreeing to manage Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve in Somerset. More here >
Written by: WWT (02 May 2023)
 
 
Bearded Vulture killed by a train in the Netherlands   (News)
Mojo, the first ever wild-hatched Bearded Vulture observed in the Netherlands, was found dead near a train line in Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve, just east of Amsterdam. More here >
Written by:  (02 May 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 18 - 24 Apr 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
The week included a first for Britain, a mega county first, plenty of other rarities and an ongoing influx of scarce herons. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (25 Apr 2023)
 
 
Butterfly Conservation calls to ban toxic pesticide   (News)
Toxic neonicotinoid pesticides have once again been authorised for use on sugar beet crops by the UK Government. More here >
Written by: Butterfly Conservation (25 Apr 2023)
 
 
First satellite-tagged Cuckoo of 2023 touches down in Wales   (News)
The bird, named JAC, arrived near Llangollen, marking the end of an extraordinary 12,000 km round trip between the UK and the rainforests of central Africa. More here >
Written by: BTO (25 Apr 2023)
 
 
Lockdowns revealed the British wildlife most at risk of becoming roadkill   (Research)
Researchers find that badgers, foxes and pheasants benefitted the most from reduced traffic during UK lockdowns. More here >
Written by: British Ecological Society,  (25 Apr 2023)
 
 
Sulphur may be partly responsible for reddish feathers in some Barn Owls   (Research)
Researchers have found evidence suggesting that at least some of the red plumage sported by Barn Owls on small, isolated islands may be due to the ingestion of sulphur. More here >
Written by: Bob Yirka,  (25 Apr 2023)
 
 
For birds, blending in may result in more diversity   (Research)
The saying "Birds of a feather flock together" is being given new meaning by a study published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. More here >
Written by: Jerald Pinson,  (25 Apr 2023)
 
 
Study shows bird feeding helps small birds fight infection   (Research)
New research from Lund University in Sweden shows that feeding during the wintertime causes birds to be healthier. More here >
Written by: Lund University,  (25 Apr 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 11 - 17 Apr 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
As we go to press major news breaks - Britain's first Black-winged Kite is found in Powys. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (18 Apr 2023)
 
 
Migratory birds can partially compensate for climate change   (Research)
A new study demonstrates that birds can partially compensate for these changes by delaying the start of spring migration and completing the journey faster. More here >
Written by: Cornell University,  (18 Apr 2023)
 
 
Most plastic eaten by city vultures comes from food outlets   (Research)
Researchers have shown that the density of commercial food providers determines how much plastic urban vultures are ingesting. More here >
Written by:  (18 Apr 2023)
 
 
Buzzard shot with airgun in Cambridgeshire   (Wildlife crime)
The animal welfare charity is investigating after an x-ray revealed the buzzard had been shot in the head with an air rifle - miraculously missing her eye and skull. More here >
Written by: RSPCA,  (18 Apr 2023)
 
 
Almost half of all UK bird species in decline   (News)
Bird populations in the U.K. continue to freefall as the government moves further away from achieving its own targets to protect nature. More here >
Written by:  (18 Apr 2023)
 
 
North Sea windfarms reducing Red-throated Diver populations   (Research)
Offshore wind farms in the North Sea have reduced the population of divers by 94% within a one-kilometre zone, according to new research. More here >
Written by:  (18 Apr 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 4 - 10 Apr 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (11 Apr 2023)
 
 
Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark washes up on Wexford shore   (News)
Scientists believe it to be the first official record of the species being found in Ireland's waters. More here >
Written by: Trinity College Dublin,  (11 Apr 2023)
 
 
Hatching hope: A record-breaking Bearded Vulture captive breeding season   (Conservation News)
The Bearded Vulture breeding season of 2022/23 has been the most successful one so far with 79 eggs being laid. More here >
Written by: VCF (11 Apr 2023)
 
 
East coast wetlands added to UK's list of potential World Heritage sites   (News)
Wetlands along the east coast of England, from the Humber to the Thames, have successfully been added to the UK's Tentative List of World Heritage sites. More here >
Written by: RSPB (11 Apr 2023)
 
 
UK's loudest bird has bumper year   (Conservation News)
Bitterns have had another great breeding season in the UK with 228 booming males counted in 2022, according to new survey results from the RSPB and Natural England. More here >
Written by: RSPB (11 Apr 2023)
 
 
Griffon Vulture collides with a truck and ends up in the passenger seat   (News)
The bizarre incident took place on a regional road between Soria and Catalayud west of Zaragoza in the north east of Spain. More here >
Written by: VCF,  (11 Apr 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 28 Mar - 3 Apr 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (05 Apr 2023)
 
 
Arrest after Red Kite witnessed being shot on Lochindorb Estate grouse moor   (Wildlife crime)
The Red Kite was found alive following the shooting on Monday 27th March but had to be euthanized as its injuries were not recoverable. More here >
Written by: RBA (04 Apr 2023)
 
 
Hot dry summer impacts UK butterfly populations   (News)
The heatwave and drought of summer 2022 has had a major negative impact on some UK butterfly species, a study has confirmed. More here >
Written by: Butterfly Conservation (04 Apr 2023)
 
 
Gamekeeper who shot Sparrowhawk gets small fine   (Wildlife crime)
Rory Parker (24) joins a long list of gamekeepers who have avoided a prison sentence after being convicted of a raptor persecution offence. More here >
Written by: RBA (04 Apr 2023)
 
 
Satellite tag helps save trapped Griffon Vulture on Cyprus   (News)
When the local population of a protected vulture species is on the brink of extinction, the rescue of just one individual can make a real difference. More here >
Written by: VCF (04 Apr 2023)
 
 
New research provides hope for fire-favouring woodpecker   (Research)
A species of woodpecker once thought to limit itself to recently burned areas can breed successfully in the unburned parts of fire-prone landscapes too. More here >
Written by: Oregon State University,  (04 Apr 2023)
 
 
The threat to Coul Links is back   (Conservation News)
Coul Links, a protected, unspoilt dune system in East Sutherland, is again threatened by development for a golf course. More here >
Written by: Butterfly Conservation (04 Apr 2023)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 21 - 27 Mar 2023   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the week's birds birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic headlined by a Lesser Kestrel on Scilly. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (28 Mar 2023)
 
 
Record numbers of Stone Curlew on RSPB reserves   (Conservation News)
The increase is down to conservation efforts from the charity, partners and farmers since the 1980s. More here >
Written by: RSPB (28 Mar 2023)
 
 
Want to help protect rare birds in nesting season? Keep your dog on its lead   (Conservation News)
Letting a dog off its lead can disturb several species without the owner even noticing. More here >
Written by:  (27 Mar 2023)
 
 
Man arrested in connection with Suffolk Goshawk killings   (Wildlife crime)
A man's been arrested in connection with the shooting of five Goshawks in Wordwell near to Bury St Edmunds. More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (27 Mar 2023)
 
 
Norfolk charity breeding a 'non-migratory' Turtle Dove flock   (Conservation News)
The charity is currently in the process of breeding Turtle Doves in captivity and releasing them into the wild with the stated aim of creating a non-migratory British flock. More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (27 Mar 2023)
 
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