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.
 
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RBA Daily News Summaries - Daily summaries of the news on an easy to use, searchable page
 
 
Mark Avery's Book Review: Vagrancy in Birds   (Book review)
This is the first comprehensive coverage of a subject that has fascinated natural historians for centuries. More here >
Written by:  (15 Nov 2021)
 
 
Adelie Penguin turns up in New Zealand   (News)
Endemic to Antarctica the bird was found on a beach nearly 3000kms away on New Zealand's South Island. More here >
Written by:  (12 Nov 2021)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Upland Sandpiper, Unst, Shetland   (Finders account)
David Cooper continues his fine run of top finds on Unst, this time locating an Upland Sandpiper at Haroldswick. More here >
Written by:  (10 Nov 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 2 - 8 Nov   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on a week which featured a Belted Kingfisher, White-crowned Sparrow and a reappearing Taiga Flycatcher. More here >
Written by:  (10 Nov 2021)
 
 
Sniffer dogs help discover storm petrel colony in UK first   (Conservation News)
For the first time in UK conservation, sniffer dogs have been used to locate a Storm Petrel colony on the Isle of May. More here >
Written by:  (09 Nov 2021)
 
 
West Midlands bird study group receive one of ornithology's top awards   (News)
The West Midlands Ringing Group (WMRG) was awarded the Marsh Award for Innovative Ornithology by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) at a glittering ceremony at the Mall Gallery in London. More here >
Written by: BTO (09 Nov 2021)
 
 
Mark Avery's Book Review: Mistletoe Winter   (Blog Roundup)
Mistletoe Winter is a series of esssys and is a companion book to Roy Dennis's acclaimed Cottongrass Summer. More here >
Written by:  (09 Nov 2021)
 
 
Britain's best-loved birds could disappear from much of our coastline   (Conservation News)
Britain's Puffins, which are among the nation's best-loved birds, could largely disappear as a result of climate change over the coming years, new research reveals. More here >
Written by: BTO (09 Nov 2021)
 
 
Italian hunters caught with thousands of dead thrushes in Norway   (Wildlife crime)
Customs officers seized 2027 thrushes which the hunters said were for their own personal consumption. More here >
Written by:  (05 Nov 2021)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Varied Thrush, Papa Westray, Orkney   (Finders account)
Checking what he 'naturally assumed would prove to be a Redwing', found David Roche 'instantly reduced to a hyperventilating wreck' as he found the UK's second ever Varied Thrush. More here >
Written by:  (04 Nov 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 26 Oct - 1 Nov   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on a week in which one of the truly immense blockers of yesteryear finally fell. More here >
Written by:  (03 Nov 2021)
 
 
First Ruppell's Vulture tagged and released in Portugal   (Conservation News)
Two young Cinereous Vultures and one juvenile Ruppell's Vulture were released at Santo Andre das Arribas, Almofala, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, overlooking the Agueda river canyons, in Portugal. More here >
Written by:  (03 Nov 2021)
 
 
New genus of Tanager discovered in Boliva and Peru   (News)
The Inti Tanager was first documented in Bolivia in 1993 and has finally been fully described. More here >
Written by:  (03 Nov 2021)
 
 
Study finds California Condors can have 'virgin births'   (Research)
Researchers said genetic testing confirmed that two male chicks hatched in 2001 and 2009 from unfertilized eggs were related to their mothers, but neither was related to a male. More here >
Written by:  (02 Nov 2021)
 
 
The early bird gets...the truffle?   (Research)
New evidence suggests that birds may seek out truffles and disperse these ecologically important fungi. More here >
Written by:  (02 Nov 2021)
 
 
Monty's on the brink   (Conservation News)
The latest report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel has been published and shows that Montagu's Harrier is on the brink with just one confirmed breeding pair in 2019. More here >
Written by:  (02 Nov 2021)
 
 
Shetland Kumlien's Gull photo wins ecology photography prize   (News)
Well known birder and photographer Rebecca Nason has won the British Ecological Society's annual photography competition. More here >
Written by:  (29 Oct 2021)
 
 
Scillonian IV gets go ahead as £48 million funding secured   (News)
The new vessel will come into service by March 2024 and will provide a more comfortable and speedy crossing. More here >
Written by:  (28 Oct 2021)
 
 
5 percent of Israel's Griffon Vultures wiped out in one mass poisoning   (Wildlife crime)
The latest wildlife crime in the country is a significant blow to its Griffon Vulture population. More here >
Written by:  (27 Oct 2021)
 
 
Bird of prey killings highest for 30 years   (Wildlife crime)
Almost two-thirds of incidents were in connection with land managed for or connected to gamebird shooting. More here >
Written by:  (27 Oct 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 19 - 25 Oct   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic More here >
Written by:  (26 Oct 2021)
 
 
Allowing the sea back in could help UK meet climate goals   (Conservation News)
One restored coastal saltmarsh in the UK stores as much carbon over four years as just over one million new trees grown for ten years. More here >
Written by:  (26 Oct 2021)
 
 
Three month suspended sentence for Buzzard killer   (News)
Desmond Crawford from Co.Laois has been given a three-month suspended prison sentence for the possession of two dead Buzzards, which he shot and strung up on a fence. More here >
Written by:  (26 Oct 2021)
 
 
Roseate Tern has another record-breaking breeding season   (Conservation News)
The UK's rarest nesting seabird, the Roseate Tern, has broken breeding records for the sixth year in a row on the RSPB's Coquet Island in Northumberland. More here >
Written by:  (26 Oct 2021)
 
 
Licensed beaver killings in Scotland ruled unlawful and must be halted   (News)
Licensed beaver killings must halt and all previous beaver killings authorised by NatureScot have been unlawful, judge rules. More here >
Written by:  (26 Oct 2021)
 
 
BTO celebrates excellence in ornithology   (News)
The BTO gave out six awards to recognise the contribution the recipients have made to British ornithology at it's annual awards ceremony. More here >
Written by:  (26 Oct 2021)
 
 
Owl unseen for 150 years photographed in the wild for the first time   (News)
British scientists working in Ghana have photographed a 'holy grail' owl that has lurked almost unseen in African rainforests for 150 years. More here >
Written by:  (25 Oct 2021)
 
 
Climate change and human pressure mean migration may be 'no longer worth it   (Research)
Researchers have found changes in climate and increasing human pressure have eroded benefits of migration for many species. More here >
Written by:  (19 Oct 2021)
 
 
57 and Counting: another Hen Harrier disappears - presumed killed   (Wildlife crime)
The latest Hen Harrier to go missing once again disappeared suddenly on an English grouse moor. More here >
Written by:  (19 Oct 2021)
 
 
Discovering nocturnal bird migration in Beijing   (News)
Terry Townshend introduces a new project monitoring nocturnal bird migration over China's sprawling capital. More here >
Written by:  (19 Oct 2021)
 
 
Life-long conservationist receives RSPB's most prestigious award   (Conservation News)
Roy Dennis MBE - 'the man who brought the White-tailed Sea Eagles back to England' - received the RSPB's most prestigious award at the charity's AGM. More here >
Written by:  (18 Oct 2021)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Two-Barred Greenish Warbler, Spurn, East Yorkshire   (Finders account)
David Bevan and Adam Hutt tell their part in the finding and identification of a Two-barred Greenish Warbler at Spurn. More here >
Written by:  (18 Oct 2021)
 
 
Norfolk White-tailed Eagle reintroduction plan shelved   (Conservation News)
Wild Ken Hill has announced the shelving of the project but failed to give specific reasons for their decision. More here >
Written by:  (18 Oct 2021)
 
 
Is England's 'safe' rewilding holding back conservation gains   (Research)
A new study suggests that rewilding projects in England may not be going in far enough to make the greatest contribution to conservation. More here >
Written by:  (15 Oct 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 5 - 11 Oct   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic, headlined by a Long-toed Stint in Yorkshire. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (12 Oct 2021)
 
 
Snowy Plovers, already a threatened bird, are caught up in Orange County oil spill   (Conservation News)
After a recent recovery, Snowy Plovers in California's Orange County have now been hit by an oil spill. More here >
Written by:  (12 Oct 2021)
 
 
Cotswold Water Park confirmed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest   (Conservation News)
Natural England's decision means better protection for rare and endangered wild birds and plants that live in and by the lakes. More here >
Written by: Natural England (11 Oct 2021)
 
 
Referential alarm calls increase vigilance in brood parasite hosts   (Research)
Yellow Warblers use referential "seet" calls to warn female warblers specifically of the brood parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds that may try to lay eggs in their nests. More here >
Written by:  (08 Oct 2021)
 
 
Vultures prefer roosting near civilization   (Research)
Human-altered landscapes often bring hardships for wildlife - unless you're a vulture, according to a new study by University of Georgia researchers. More here >
Written by:  (08 Oct 2021)
 
 
How offshore wind development impacts seabirds in the North Sea and Baltic Sea   (Conservation News)
The massive scale of planned offshore wind development in Europe's Northern Seas poses a threat to seabird populations. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (08 Oct 2021)
 
 
Big Butterfly Count 2021 sees lowest ever number of butterflies recorded   (Conservation News)
Butterfly Conservation has released data on the number of butterflies and day-flying moths counted across the UK in this year's Big Butterfly Count. More here >
Written by: Butterfly Conservation (07 Oct 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 28 Sep - 04 Oct   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on an exciting week of autumn birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (05 Oct 2021)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Unst, Shetland   (Finders account)
David Cooper continues his terrific rarity finding record with Shetland's second Rose-breasted Grosbeak. More here >
Written by:  (01 Oct 2021)
 
 
Ground-breaking conservation technique may yet save 'Spoony'   (Conservation News)
In 10 years head starting has increased the number of surviving fledglings from 2.5 of every 20 eggs laid to 15 out of every 20. More here >
Written by:  (29 Sep 2021)
 
 
Study of Great Tits, oak trees and caterpillars reveals complexity of climate change   (Research)
A trio of researchers at the University of Oxford has found that studying the interrelationships between Great Tits, oak trees and caterpillars has revealed some of the complexities involved in studying changes wrought by global warming. More here >
Written by:  (29 Sep 2021)
 
 
Researchers find nests of Critically Endangered Tanager   (Conservation News)
There is new hope for the Cherry-throated Tanager after researchers have found two nests in the mountains of Espirito Santo in Brazil. More here >
Written by:  (29 Sep 2021)
 
 
Birds' eye size offers clues to co-evolutionary arms   (Research)
Researchers found that brood parasites had larger eyes than host birds - beyond the difference expected as a result of their larger body size. More here >
Written by:  (29 Sep 2021)
 
 
US declares Ivory-billed Woodpecker extinct   (News)
Death's come knocking a last time for the splendid Ivory-billed Woodpecker and 22 more birds, fish and other species as The U.S. government is declaring them extinct. More here >
Written by:  (29 Sep 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 21 - 27 Sep   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (28 Sep 2021)
 
 
Seizure in Kuala Lumpur uncovers Southeast Asian live hornbill trade   (Wildlife crime)
Two Malaysian men have been arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport attempting to smuggle eight live hornbills to Bangladesh. More here >
Written by:  (28 Sep 2021)
 
 
Stop annual hedgerow flailing to help save rare butterfly - plea to landowners   (Conservation News)
The threatened Brown Hairstreak butterfly’s range in South-west Wales has more than halved in the last decade. More here >
Written by:  (28 Sep 2021)
 
 
Rabbits help rare species and unique Norfolk and Suffolk habitat   (Research)
European wild rabbits are a 'keystone species' that hold together entire ecosystems - according to researchers at the University of East Anglia. More here >
Written by:  (28 Sep 2021)
 
 
Desert teamwork explains global pattern of co-operation in birds   (Research)
A new study from the Kalahari Desert, by a research team at the University of Exeter, finds that teamwork allows birds to cope with brutally unpredictable environments. More here >
Written by:  (28 Sep 2021)
 
 
Beavers back in Derbyshire after 800 year absence   (Conservation News)
This is the first beaver reintroduction in the Midlands and has been three years in the planning. More here >
Written by:  (28 Sep 2021)
 
 
Alava's only Bearded Vulture killed in power line collision   (News)
The vulture named 'Flumen' becomes the latest victim of a collision with overhead powerlines. More here >
Written by:  (23 Sep 2021)
 
 
French President authorises the trapping of over 110,000 wild birds   (Conservation News)
President Macron has re-authorised the mass killing of Skylarks, Lapwings, Golden Plovers and thrushes. More here >
Written by:  (23 Sep 2021)
 
 
Varied fortunes for Scotland's wintering waterbirds   (Conservation News)
Numbers of wintering waterbirds have declined overall in Scotland, with waders showing the greatest decrease. More here >
Written by:  (22 Sep 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 14 - 20 Sep   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (21 Sep 2021)
 
 
23 years 11 months - White-tailed Eagle, oldest of its kind   (News)
A ring fitted to an eagle in the Highlands of Scotland in 1996 allowed it to be identified in the field in 2020. More here >
Written by:  (21 Sep 2021)
 
 
Cape Honeybees kill 63 endangered penguins in South Africa   (News)
Post mortems have shown that 63 African Penguins were killed by a swarm of bees in what is thought to be a very rare occurrence. More here >
Written by:  (21 Sep 2021)
 
 
Scientists investigate seabird deaths along east coast   (News)
An unusually high number of dead seabirds have been found along the coasts of Scotland and north-east England with many others emaciated and in poor health. More here >
Written by:  (21 Sep 2021)
 
 
Egyptian Vulture migrating to Africa disappears above Malta, likely shot   (Wildlife crime)
The young vulture named 'Isabel' is believed to be the second Egyptian Vulture shot on Malta this year. More here >
Written by:  (20 Sep 2021)
 
 
Cameraman killed and conservationist seriously injured in Highlands air crash   (News)
Cameraman Dan Burton has been killed and conservationist Sacha Dench seriously injured in a paramotoring crash in north west Highlands. More here >
Written by:  (20 Sep 2021)
 
 
Buzzard killer escapes justice   (Wildlife crime)
There will be no prosecutions for the killing of five Buzzards found on an estate on North Yorkshire Moors National Park. More here >
Written by:  (17 Sep 2021)
 
 
International outcry following mass slaughter of dolphins   (News)
There has been widespread anger and outrage after a super pod of Atlantic White-sided Dolphins were killed on the Faroes on Sunday 12th September. More here >
Written by:  (17 Sep 2021)
 
 
New report reveals pollution is biggest threat to wildlife on our waterways   (News)
Waterbodies across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are being devastated by poor water quality caused by agricultural waste, raw sewage, and pollution from abandoned mines. More here >
Written by:  (15 Sep 2021)
 
 
Peatland restoration brings back breeding waders to Snowdonia upland farm   (Conservation News)
Golden Plover and Curlew are breeding again on an upland farm in Eryri, the first breeding of the species there in over twenty years. More here >
Written by:  (15 Sep 2021)
 
 
The warming climate is causing animals to 'shapeshift'   (Research)
Some warm-blooded animals are getting larger beaks, legs, and ears to better regulate their body temperatures as the planet gets hotter. More here >
Written by:  (14 Sep 2021)
 
 
Disabled Kea uses tools for self-care   (Research)
Scientists say they've found the first evidence of tool use by a Kea for the purpose of self-care, in a new study from the University of Auckland. More here >
Written by:  (14 Sep 2021)
 
 
How land birds cross the open ocean   (Research)
Researchers have identified how large land birds fly nonstop for hundreds of kilometers over the open ocean without taking a break for food or rest. More here >
Written by:  (14 Sep 2021)
 
 
Hummingbirds can smell their way out of danger   (Research)
Contrary to popular belief, new research has shown that the tiny birds do have an active sense of smell. More here >
Written by:  (14 Sep 2021)
 
 
Green light for rat and ferret eradication on Rathlin Island   (Conservation News)
A £4.5 million conservation project that will safeguard Rathlin Island's internationally important seabird population and wildlife has been given the go-ahead, following major funding. More here >
Written by:  (14 Sep 2021)
 
 
Cyclones starve North Atlantic seabirds   (Research)
A new study has shown that birds die, not as a result of increased energy expenditure but as a result of their inability to feed. More here >
Written by:  (14 Sep 2021)
 
 
Cinereous Vulture died from plastic ingestion overdose   (News)
The vulture was found weakened, weighing just 4kg and despite efforts to save the bird it died in care. More here >
Written by:  (14 Sep 2021)
 
 
Finders in the Field: Green Warbler, Buckton, East Yorkshire   (Finders account)
Many years of ringing effort on the East Yorkshire coast paid off for Mark Thomas as he finds a Green Warbler. More here >
Written by:  (13 Sep 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 7 - 13 Sep   (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 Sep 2021)
 
 
The Rare Bird Alert birding round-up 31 Aug - 6 Sep   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (07 Sep 2021)
 
 
Duck species can imitate sounds   (Research)
Researchers have found Musk Ducks imitating noises such as a snorting pony, the cough of a caretaker and a squeaking door. More here >
Written by:  (07 Sep 2021)
 
 
Electrocuted Griffon Vulture causes wildfire in Spain   (News)
Hundreds of vultures are electrocuted each year on poorly insulated pylons across Europe, this time though it had some more far-reaching consequences. More here >
Written by:  (07 Sep 2021)
 
 
Seabird numbers decline by almost 50 percent   (Conservation News)
Arctic skua continues to show the largest decline, with reductions in the availability of sandeels and increased predation from great skuas understood to be factors affecting the species. More here >
Written by:  (03 Sep 2021)
 
 
Artificial Intelligence discovers rare bat in West Sussex   (News)
A passive bat detector, left outside to automatically record bat calls in a garden has recorded a Kuhl's Pipistrelle. More here >
Written by:  (03 Sep 2021)
 
 
Watersports enthusiasts thanked for helping breeding birds   (Conservation News)
NatureScot took the unusual step in June of asking visitors to stay off Loch Kinord at its Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve during the sensitive bird breeding season. More here >
Written by:  (03 Sep 2021)
 
 
Wing shape determines how far birds disperse   (Research)
When a bird moves to establish a new breeding territory, how far does it go? A new study has sought to seek the answer. More here >
Written by:  (03 Sep 2021)
 
 
Oxfordshire celebrates first crane fledgling in 500 years   (Conservation News)
Staff at RSPB Otmoor are celebrating as a Common Crane fledges in Oxfordshire for the first time in 500 years. More here >
Written by:  (02 Sep 2021)
 
 
Twelve more White-tailed Eagles released on the Isle of Wight   (Conservation News)
The dozen birds are part of an ongoing project to release 60 birds over five years. More here >
Written by:  (02 Sep 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 24 - 30 Aug   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (31 Aug 2021)
 
 
Latham's Snipe tracked flying non-stop from Japan to Australia   (Conservation News)
Unfortunately though, their wetland habitat is now being lost to development and other pressures, putting this tough little bird at risk. More here >
Written by:  (31 Aug 2021)
 
 
Female hummingbirds avoid harassment by looking as flashy as males   (Research)
When watching hummingbirds in Panama researchers discovered that over a quarter of females have the same brightly coloured ornamentation as males. More here >
Written by:  (31 Aug 2021)
 
 
Driven gamebird shooting fuelling raptor persecution in Wales   (Research)
The theft of eggs and chicks of birds of prey has almost ceased in Wales, but persecution rates are not declining - according to a new RSPB Cymru review. More here >
Written by:  (31 Aug 2021)
 
 
Bird communities threatened by urbanisation   (Research)
In a recent study in India researchers found that urban bird communities were impoverished subsets of rural communities. More here >
Written by:  (26 Aug 2021)
 
 
Streetlights are found to reduce moth populations   (Research)
New research has shown that streetlights in southern England reduce the abundance of moth caterpillars in grass verges and hedgerows. More here >
Written by:  (26 Aug 2021)
 
 
Ospreys killed so light fitting could be replaced   (News)
Two Osprey chicks in the US state of Maryland have been taken from their nest and killed to allow for a street light fixture to be replaced. More here >
Written by:  (25 Aug 2021)
 
 
Weekly birding round-up: 17 - 23 Aug   (Weekly Roundup)
Jon Dunn looks back on the past week of birding from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >
Written by:  (24 Aug 2021)
 
 
Spoonbills breed in Essex for first time   (Conservation News)
Spoonbills have successfully fledged two young at Abberton Reservoir in Essex, a first for the county. More here >
Written by:  (24 Aug 2021)
 
 
Five Eagles found dead on Western Isles   (Wildlife crime)
Police in Scotland are investigating after five Golden Eagles were found dead on the Western Isles in the space of one week. More here >
Written by:  (24 Aug 2021)
 
 
Migratory species most at risk from plane collisions   (Research)
During a six-year period, the highest number of collisions occurred during migration, especially during the autumn. More here >
Written by:  (24 Aug 2021)
 
 
Sunflowers power £2million for nature's recovery   (Conservation News)
Wildlife friendly farm growing wild bird seed is celebrating raising £2 million for wildlife conservation. More here >
Written by:  (20 Aug 2021)
 
 
Released, captive reared Curlews phone home   (Conservation News)
Two Curlews fitted with GPS are keeping scientists up to date with their movements using the mobile phone network. More here >
Written by:  (20 Aug 2021)
 
 
Raccoon Dogs pose threat to ground-nesting birds in Northern Europe   (Research)
In a three-year study in Finland, Raccoon Dogs were found to be more common nest predators than red foxes. More here >
Written by:  (20 Aug 2021)
 
 
Bitterns breed in West Midlands for the first time over 100 years   (Conservation News)
Bitterns have enjoyed a record-breaking year at many RSPB reserves across Britain. More here >
Written by:  (20 Aug 2021)
 
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