Am untypical mid-May week where the weather prevented the usual big rares we might expect at this time of year. In Cheshire we got confirmation that Cattle Egrets are breeding this year.
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At least 94 African White-backed Vultures were found dead around a poisoned elephant carcass on the Zimbabwe-Mozambican border, one more victim of the rampant poaching for ivory.
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Iconic Yellow-eyed Penguins could disappear from New Zealand's Otago Peninsula by 2060, latest research warns. Researchers call for coordinated conservation action. More here >

The Madagascar Pochard, the world's rarest duck, has a rosier future after the Government of Madagascar pledged to protect the wetland earmarked as its new home.
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A newly-created reserve will ensure that one of these fragments, along with the six globally-threatened birds it harbours, will endure for the foreseeable future.
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Mark Pearson interviews Jonny Rankin, who for the last few years, has been undertaking gruelling physical challenges to raise money and shine a spotlight on the catastrophic decline of the Turtle Dove.
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A visit to Yorkshire by the North Sea's wandering Black-browed Albatross, a Baltimore Oriole in Ireland and a few more days stay for the Red-winged Blackbird plus lots more.
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Egyptian Vultures have been filmed putting on make-up for the first time, a rare phenomenon in birds, known as cosmetic colouration. More here >

An unprecedented partnership of organisations from industry and the conservation sector has come together in a bid to save the common scoter as a breeding bird in the Highlands of Scotland. More here >

RSPB Scotland has expressed its frustration and disappointment after another prosecution of an individual charged with alleged wildlife crime offences was discontinued by the Crown Office in Scotland. More here >

A BirdLife Pacific team has managed to capture and tag a Beck's Petrel, one of the world's rarest and least-known birds and it's hoped it will lead them to its still-unknown breeding grounds. More here >

In a regular new series, Mark James Pearson talks to the good and the great of the birding world. This week we have an interview with Andy Roadhouse. More here >

In a UK first, 26 fluffy black-tailed godwit chicks have been hatched by conservationists in the Fens this week. The rare chicks will be hand-reared until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild. More here >

East Anglian Turtle Dove becomes only the second to have its migratory route mapped from the UK to West Africa and back. More here >

A life-affirming nature diary, with something amazing to see and experience on every day of the year. Distilling two lifetimes' knowledge, insight and enthusiasm, naturalists Brett Westwood and Stephen Moss take you through the year, day by day.
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The Red-winged Blackbird remained this week, with new discoveries including Spectacled Warbler and Slate-coloured Junco. Read the full roundup here.
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An essential all-in-one guide to mainland Ecuador's amazing wildlife with a unique and attractive layout and more than 400 stunning colour photos. Covers more than 350 of the most frequently seen birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
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Turau Meadow in Belarus is usually an important stopover for Ruffs, but this year the impressive numbers broke records in the country. More here >

To help reverse the decline in swift numbers and nesting sites Europe's biggest conservation charity has teamed up with nine partners to launch England's first 'Swift City' in Oxford. More here >

Mr Asbo and other headline-grabbing swans may be being unfairly stigmatised according to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), which is behind the world's largest study of aggression among birds. More here >

Last July a new species of Antbird was discovered in Peru by Josh Beck. The bird has been seen on a few subsequent occasions, including by Gunnar Engblom and we have extracts from his blog about this fantastic discovery. More here >

As part of the Spurn Bird Observatory 2017 Migration Festival, the observatory, the Next Generation Birders (NGB) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) are once again running a competition to find the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder of The Year. More here >

Although tracking devices can provide information that can help declines of vulnerable species, a new study has shown that these data can come at a cost. More here >

Court proceedings against a former gamekeeper, accused of shooting a Hen Harrier, have been dropped by the Crown Office, who have indicated that they could not use RSPB Scotland video evidence to support the prosecution in court. More here >

A record breaking 2,270 Black-tailed Godwits have arrived on the Isle of Tiree this spring, the highest number thought to have ever been counted in Scotland at one time. More here >

Covers all 1,375 subcontinental bird species. Features more than 4,000 stunning photos to aid quick field id. Includes up-to-date facing-page text and range maps. Contains concise descriptions of plumage, voice, habitat, and much more.
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Again this week the highlight was an American passerine on the Northern Isles, Britain's first Red-winged Blackbird on Orkney. Pallid Harriers also continue to make headlines amongst much more...
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We hear from Simon Davies at North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory on the amazing find of Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic's first Red-winged Blackbird!
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Hugh Warwick unravels the far-reaching ecological consequences of the lines we have drawn: as our lives and our land were being fenced in and threaded together, so wildlife habitats have been cut into ever smaller, and increasingly unviable, fragments.
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Former drug users, indigenous people and conservationists form an unlikely team for the noblest of causes: restore the forest where the Haring Ibon lives. And it's a success.. More here >

Across the globe, 45 per cent of Arctic nesting shorebirds are decreasing. The Pacific Americas Shorebird Conservation Strategy aims to identify the threats and develop strategies to save them. More here >

Researchers have found that the time pairs of Guillemots spend preening each other provides a way for the two birds to exchange information about how they are doing. More here >

As a male Pallid Harrier has taken up residence in Bowland, we hear from the RSPB's James Bray with the following from their blog. More here >

The RSPB is encouraging farmers, birdwatchers and walkers to keep a look out for Montagu's harriers, the UK's rarest breeding bird of prey, as they begin this year's breeding season. More here >

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly Britain's 12th Hermit Thrush found on Shetland. Ireland hosts only it's 3rd ever Black Stork plus we have a full roundup of the best from the WP.
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The late April cold snap that has brought snow to Scotland and the North of England sees RSPB Loch Garten's, EJ, incubating her eggs as the snow keeps falling! More here >

RSPB Scotland is seeking assurances a new housing development planned for the Highlands, that would roughly double the size of Aviemore, will not harm Capercaillie. More here >

Noss National Nature Reserve warden Craig Nisbet was back on the island for his fourth year and the 2017 season started with a bang!
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Reissue of J. A. Baker's extraordinary classic of British nature writing, with an exclusive new afterword by Robert Macfarlane.
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The male Rock Thrush remained on Scilly but the find of the week was undoubtedly Suffolk's first American Herring Gull. Somerset birders were treated to a Two-barred Crossbill whilst in Ireland a Squacco Heron and Kentish Plover made the headlines.
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Bedfordshire police and the RSPB are appealing for information after a dead Red Kite was found near Toddington, Bedfordshire, containing as many as 10 pieces of shot. More here >

Completely revised and expanded edition of A Neotropical Companion, which has helped thousands of people to understand the complex ecology and natural history of the most species-rich area on Earth.
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Promiscuity mixes up the gene pool and dilutes genetic differences between populations, slowing down the evolution of new species.
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Good numbers of the Red-listed species including Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush visited gardens during the winter according to the annual results of BTO's Garden BirdWatch.
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Norfolk Wildlife Trust has announced that the £1 million target had been reached through donations to the Hickling Broad Land Purchase appeal.
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French birder Denis Attinault captures on camera a aerial duel between two Bearded Vultures that resulted in the death of one.
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Puffin pairs that follow similar migration routes breed more successfully the following season, a new Oxford University study has found.
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UK butterflies suffered their fourth worst year on record in 2016 with the majority of species experiencing a decline in numbers, a study has revealed.
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A hearing organized by MEPsforWildlife recently urged the European Union (EU) to prioritize environmental crime as a key issue to be addressed over the coming four years.
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Populations of waders that spend most of the year in Australia have been declining for decades and a new study has pinpointed a big reason why.
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As spring gets underway, this was a week of two rock thrushes. A Blue Rock Thrush in Sussex which provided much discussion and a fine male Rock Thrush on the Scillies. More here >

Our book of the week is Wildlife on Your Doorstep by Mark Ward, which is on offer until 30th April.
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The last Black Vulture from a re-introduction project at Alinya in the Spanish Pyrenees has been found dead.
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Our overseas book of the week is Chamberlain's Waders: The Definitive Guide to Southern Africa's Shorebirds which is on offer until 30th April.
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More than one quarter of UK birds are in need of urgent conservation effort with curlew, puffin and nightingale joining the growing list of threatened species, but there is good news for some, a new report has highlighted.
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A new study looks at the migration of Semipalmated Sandpipers, whose populations in some areas have undergone mysterious declines in recent years.
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A new study shows that older, more experienced Golden Eagles actually migrate in poorer weather conditions and cover less ground than their younger counterparts.
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Al Redman describes finding a male Blue Rock Thrush at Beachy Head in East Sussex and of course the question on everyone's lips - was it the Stow-on-the-Wold bird? More here >

After successfully banning two drugs poisonous to vultures, Bangladesh is leading the way in Asian vulture conservation, and moving towards banning a third.
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The RBBP, in consultation with RSPB, has compiled some guidelines on how records of rare breeding birds should be handled during the breeding season.
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Our book of the week is Chris Packham's memoir Fingers in the Sparkle Jar: Lessons in Life and Death which is released in softback on 6th April.
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Lebanon's President, Michel Aoun, has made a heartfelt pledge to prevent the annual slaughter of the thousands of migratory birds who fly over the Middle Eastern state. More here >

As part of a recent review of species status the BBRC have dropped Red-flanked Bluetail from the list of species considered by the committee, Black-winged Stilt also goes whilst Ferruginous Duck is promoted.
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A changing of the guard as we head into spring proper, the Skinningrove Eastern Black Redstart departs whilst the main news of the week is an influx of Iberian Chiffchaffs including a returning bird in Shropshire. More here >

Teams from around the world competed in another Champions of the Flyway birdrace which this year raised over $62,000, which will go to Doga Dernegi (Birdlife in Turkey)
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Up to 20 Griffon Vultures as well as Wolves, foxes and other raptors have been poisoned, dealing a huge blow to the Balkan Griffon Vulture population.
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RSPB Scotland has issued an appeal for information following the disappearance of a satellite tagged golden eagle near Strathdon in Aberdeenshire.
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Last year in Highland Perthshire, the Black Grouse, had another successful year and people have the opportunity to go to special events to see them this spring.
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Close to half-a-million people joined in the world's largest garden wildlife survey counting more than 8 million birds during the 38th RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. More here >

An Egyptian Vulture has been found dead in Portugal in what is believed to be a rare natural death involving an aerial battle with a large eagle species.
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The second spring Red-flanked Bluetail for Norfolk livens up the weekend news. Gloucestershire lands the first Iberian Chiffchaff for the county and Argyll & Bute a Pied-billed Grebe.
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A Peregrine Falcon which was found dead in Newbiggin, Cumbria, was found to have historical lead shot fragments in its body, indicating it had previously been shot. More here >

According to a new study, China's endangered Crested Ibises benefit from joining forces with other, more visually-oriented bird species while searching for food.
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Researchers uncover for the first time the group dynamics of non-breeding ravens and discover that some may move thousands of kilometers per year to be part of these groups.
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It looks like suicide when guillemot chicks leap from the cliffs and fall towards the sea. But researchers have now discovered that there is good reason behind this seeming madness. More here >

Our book of the week is Dominic Couzens' forthcoming Songs of Love & War: The Dark Heart of Bird Behaviour. Due early April and WildSounds will donate 75p from every sale to Birdlife.
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Famed more for its spring and autumn migrants Fair Isle has occasionally hosted a winter mega such as Great Bustard. Fair Isle Warden David Parnaby describes finding Scotland's first Glaucous-winged Gull. More here >

A smart male Black-throated Thrush in Northumberland was the best of the new arrivals this week, whilst the Gloucestershire Blue Rock Thrush appears to have departed it's winter quarters.
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A record breaking total of £350,000 has been presented by Birdfair to BirdLife International to help fund vital conservation work in Madagascar and Africa. More here >

Butterfly Conservation has welcomed the prosecution of a collector found guilty of illegally catching and killing the UK's rarest butterfly.
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An RSPB Scotland project to aid conservation efforts for puffins has been awarded £49,800 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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Whilst photographing a Northern Wheatear, Howard King captures the moment an Isabelline Shrike attempts to predate the wheatear, resulting in some dramatic images. More here >

The BOU say there is now compelling evidence that this Nearctic species can exhibit vagrancy and cross the Atlantic, and has moved it to CAT D.
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Over 800,000 songbirds, such as blackcaps and robins, are estimated to have been illegally killed on a British military base in Cyprus last autumn.
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The 2016 Spurn Wildlife report will feature an exclusive cover artwork of the Easington Siberian Accentor by world-renowned top avian-realism artist Ian Lewington.
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The Bird Photographer of The Year (BPOTY) competition has given young birdwatchers a boost by handing over a cheque of £5,505 to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
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Despite huge success in reducing the incidental catch of seabirds in fishing nets, there's been reports that an old type of vessel still posing serious threats to seabirds. More here >

Almost 6 million Adelie Penguins are living in East Antarctica, more than double the number previously thought, findings that have implications for conservation. More here >

Grounded in science and enriched by a wealth of observation drawn from a lifetime spent studying birds, this is an illuminating exploration of the science behind eggs and the history of man's obsession with them. More here >

The proposed wind farm will be close to to the nesting sites of two species of Critically Endangered vultures and to an important flyway for a vast numbers of migratory birds. More here >

A Baillon's Crake on a Cornish beach was the unlikely highlight of the week, whilst in Lancashire a mystery bird posted on a facebook video turns out to be the county's first Black-throated Thrush.
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Individual cuckoo calls may determine how a male responds to an interloper in his territory, behaving more tolerantly towards neighbours and more aggressively towards strangers.
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The RSPB has once again relaunched its Hen Harrier Hotline in the hope that members of the public can help hem find out where harriers birds might be breeding.
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Projected increases in the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves in the desert of the southwestern United States are putting songbirds at greater risk for death by dehydration and mass die-offs.
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The RSPB is appealing for a group of dedicated volunteers to help protect Little Terns on the Norfolk coast this summer.
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Daily movement behaviour of wintering Mallards is contributing to maintaining the connections between wetland plant populations across increasingly fragmented landscapes. More here >

Two books for you this week - Kingfishers and Bumblebees from the RSPB Spotlight series. 5% of every sale made through RBA is donated to BirdLife International. More here >

Swarovski Optik have launched a revolutionary new spotting scope which has a a binocular module that looks set to change scope design forever.
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The stand-out bird of the week was Scotland's first Glaucous-winged Gull found on Fair Isle. Elsewhere most long-stayers remained in situ whilst the first summer migrants started to arrive.
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A snapshot inventory of Bandung's notorious bird markets has found more than 3,000 birds for sale, 40% of them species considered as highly threatened.
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