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.
 
Click on the More > link to read the article.
 
RBA Daily News Summaries - Daily summaries of the news on an easy to use, searchable page
 
 
BirdLife advocates to halt construction of superhighway through IBA in Nigeria   (Press report)
The Cross River National Park, one of the most biologically diverse sites in Nigeria and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is currently being threatened by the construction of a Super-Highway.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (26 Apr 2016)
 
 
The search for swift surveyors!   (Press report)
This summer RSPB NI will be surveying in south Belfast to try and find the nest sites of Common Swift, and are looking for some extra help to carry out this important work.
More here >
Written by: RSPB (26 Apr 2016)
 
 
Singapore's wild bird trade raises troubling questions about African Grey Parrots   (Press report)
A new study from the Wildlife Conservation Society and TRAFFIC underlines Singapore's role as a leading transit hub for birds from Africa and Europe to East Asia and the Middle East.
More here >
Written by: TRAFFIC (26 Apr 2016)
 
 
Fairywrens' Brilliant Colours Intensify Through the Breeding Season   (Press report)
Researchers have discovered that male Red-backed Fairywrens are able to replenish their red feathers throughout the breeding season.
More here >
Written by: Lantz et al (26 Apr 2016)
 
 
Book Review and Special Offer: A Pocket Guide to the Orchids of Britain and Ireland   (Book review)
Andy Stoddart reviews this excellent new pocket guide book to the Orchids of Britain and Ireland.
More here >
Written by: Andy Stoddart (20 Apr 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 13 - 19 Apr   (Weekly Roundup)
An Alpine Accentor photographed on the Hampshire coast doesn't hang around for the masses. The Cornish Snowy Owl takes flight and heads to Scilly and Iberian Chiffchaffs continue to make headlines.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (20 Apr 2016)
 
 
Ravens - is it time to kill under general license?   (Conservation News)
With recent calls for Ravens to be added to the general license in Scotland blogger James Common has started an e-petition to ensure SNH keep the current status quo. More here >
Written by: James Common (19 Apr 2016)
 
 
Bird Therapy - therapeutic benefits of birdwatching   (Personal Account)
Birder Joe Harkness talks about the therapeutic benefits of birding for people suffering with mental health conditions.
More here >
Written by: Joe Hakrness, Rare Bird Alert (19 Apr 2016)
 
 
The Beijing Cuckoo Project   (Research)
The Beijing Cuckoo Project is a new initiative that has the potential to make a huge difference to conservation in China whilst, at the same time, making ground breaking scientific discoveries.
More here >
Written by: Birding Beijing, Terry Townshend (19 Apr 2016)
 
 
England's last Golden Eagle feared dead   (Conservation News)
England's last remaining Golden Eagle has failed to appear this spring, leading RSPB staff and volunteers at its Lake District home to fear the worst.
More here >
Written by: RSPB (18 Apr 2016)
 
 
Badly sited windfarm adversely affected breeding Golden Plover   (Research)
A new study has shown a significant reduction in the number of breeding Golden Plover following the construction of turbines at a wind farm in the north of Scotland. More here >
Written by: RSPB (18 Apr 2016)
 
 
Finders-in-the-field: Pallid Harrier, Marshfield, Gloucestershire April 2016   (Finders account)
Dedicated South Gloucestershire birder Martyn Hayes was having a fruitless day's birding at Marshfield when an interesting harrier caught his attention.
More here >
Written by: Martyn Hayes, Rare Bird Alert (18 Apr 2016)
 
 
Finders-in-the-field: Alpine Accentor, Hampshire, Apr 2016   (Finders account)
George Else describes how, on a bee recording trip to Brownwich Cliff on the Hampshire coast, he stumbled upon the county's first Alpine Accentor.
More here >
Written by: George Else, Rare Bird Alert (18 Apr 2016)
 
 
Volunteers needed to protect rare seabirds in Northumberland   (Press report)
The Northumberland Little Tern Project is looking for volunteers to protect vulnerable nesting shorebirds this summer. This includes endangered Little Terns, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers.
More here >
Written by: RSPB (15 Apr 2016)
 
 
Ground-Level Artificial Lights Disrupt Bird Migration   (Press report)
New research in The Condor: Ornithological Applications demonstrates that even ground-level artificial lights can affect birds passing overhead at night.
More here >
Written by: Watson et al (15 Apr 2016)
 
 
City moths avoid the light   (Press report)
A new study by Swiss zoologists from the Universities of Basel and Zurich now shows that urban moths have learned to avoid light.
More here >
Written by: Altermatt Florian (15 Apr 2016)
 
 
Preserving the Batumi bottleneck   (Conservation News)
Every year, over a million migratory birds fly through a 10-km wide corridor in Georgia on their way to their wintering grounds. They are under threat from illegal killing and infrastructure development.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (14 Apr 2016)
 
 
Talking Naturally ep24: Ultra Marathons   (Podcast)
In the latest TN Charlie talks to Mary Colwell about her 500 mile trek for Curlews and to Jamie Gilardi from the World Parrot Trust, for whom Charlie is himself raising money for this summer .
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (14 Apr 2016)
 
 
Book Review and Special Offer: The Most Perfect Thing   (Book review)
Andy Stoddart reviews this is illuminating and engaging exploration of the science behind eggs and the history of man's obsession with them.
More here >
Written by: Andy Stoddart (14 Apr 2016)
 
 
Balkan Lynx - how do you save a species that is almost impossible to track?   (Conservation News)
It took conservationists four years of research and hard work before their cameras spotted the Critically Endangered Balkan Lynx for the first time.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (13 Apr 2016)
 
 
Ulcinj Salina's salt pans could be saved by the very birds it protects   (Conservation News)
The ups and downs in the fight to protect these Montenegrin salt pans are too numerous to count. But could there be light at the end of the tunnel?
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (13 Apr 2016)
 
 
How an infection almost made the Saiga extinct   (Conservation News)
More than half the world's population of this antelope was dead in a matter of months. Here's how BirdLife is saving the Saiga.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (13 Apr 2016)
 
 
Tropical birds develop 'superfast' wing muscles for mating, not flying   (Research)
Studies in a group of tropical birds have revealed one of the fastest limb muscles on record for any animal with a backbone.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (13 Apr 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 6 - 12 Apr   (Weekly Roundup)
Plenty of new birds this week with highlights including a male Pallid Harrier in Kent, Black-headed Wagtail in W.Yorkshire, Iberian Chiffchaff in Shropshire, wandering White Storks and much more.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (13 Apr 2016)
 
 
New Sociable Lapwing habitats discovered in Uzbekistan   (Conservation News)
Very little was known about the Critically Endangered species' migratory route through Central and South Asia. That could soon change after a recent new discovery. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (12 Apr 2016)
 
 
Finnish team wins third 'Champions of the Flyway'   (Conservation News)
The 3rd Champions of the Flyway Race took place in Israel in March this year. The 24hr race, featured 190 birders from 40 teams and raised $67,000 for conservation. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (12 Apr 2016)
 
 
Bassenthwaite Osprey pair return for fourth season   (Conservation News)
A famous pair of Ospreys have returned to Bassenthwaite over Easter weekend, sparking hopes for yet another successful year for the Lake District Osprey Project. More here >
Written by: RSPB (12 Apr 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 30 Mar - 05 Apr   (Weekly Roundup)
Plenty of fresh birds this week as storm Katie cleared. The Isle of Man lands it's first Slate-coloured Junco, a Western Rufous Turtle Dove in Kent and Snowy Owl in Cornwall were just some of the other highlights.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (06 Apr 2016)
 
 
Finders-in-the-field: Slate-coloured Junco, Isle of Man   (Finders account)
On an island not exactly famed for turning up mega rarities local birder and ringer Sean Gray describes finding the Isle of Man's first Slate-coloured Junco.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (05 Apr 2016)
 
 
Birds are messengers of climate change   (Conservation News)
New study confirms common birds are powerful indicators of threats from climate change. From Europe to the US the data shows coherent and substantial changes in detriment to cold-adapted species.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (01 Apr 2016)
 
 
Toxic lead - even worse for Britain's swans than previously thought   (Conservation News)
The health of swans in Britain is being affected by lead poisoning at lower doses than previously recognised, suggests new research by the WWT) and the University of Exeter. More here >
Written by: WWT (01 Apr 2016)
 
 
2016 Breeding Bird Survey is up and running - do your bit for birds   (Conservation News)
It's the 1st of April and the surveying season begins for the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and will continue on through until the end of June.
More here >
Written by: BTO (01 Apr 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 23 - 29 Mar   (Weekly Roundup)
The stand-out bird in an otherwise slow Easter weekend was Suffolk's first Thayer's Gull on the scrape at Minsmere RSPB.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (30 Mar 2016)
 
 
Antarctic birds recognize individual humans   (Research)
Scientists in South Korea studied brown skuas living in Antarctica and reported that these birds too recognize people who had previously accessed the nests to measure their eggs and nestlings.More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (30 Mar 2016)
 
 
Songbirds 'teach chicks before they hatch'   (Research)
A new research paper, has shown how how Australian fairy-wrens start learning to imitate their parents before they even hatch.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (30 Mar 2016)
 
 
RSPB Scotland celebrates return of EJ the Osprey to Loch Garten   (Conservation News)
RSPB Scotland is celebrating the return of EJ the osprey to its Loch Garten nature reserve in Speyside, a full 12 days earlier than she appeared last year.
More here >
Written by: RSPB (30 Mar 2016)
 
 
Corsican Bearded Vulture egg hatches successfully in lab, in world first   (Conservation News)
A Corsican Bearded Vulture chick has hatched in a laboratory as part of an emergency action plan to save this declining and extremely small island population from going extinct. More here >
Written by: VCF (30 Mar 2016)
 
 
Talking Naturally ep023 - Birding Beijing   (Podcast)
In the latest TN podcast Charlie talks to Terry Townshend (aka Birding Beijing). He offers a fascinating insight into birds and conservation in China.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (29 Mar 2016)
 
 
Finders-in-the-field: Thayer's Gull Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk   (Finders account)
Brian Small describes how during an Easter weekend visit to Minsmere, and just before giving his son a driving lesson, he found an adult Thayer's Gull.
More here >
Written by: Brian Small (29 Mar 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 16 - 22 Mar   (Weekly Roundup)
There were plenty of long-stayers on offer this week but it was a Demoiselle Crane in Cumbria that caused a few ripples in the rarity pond.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (23 Mar 2016)
 
 
Poor weather hits garden birds in 2015   (Conservation News)
The annual results of the BTO Garden BirdWatch show an interesting story for some of our more common garden birds, with Blue Tit, Great Tit and Blackbird numbers all well below average during the second half of 2015. More here >
Written by: BTO (22 Mar 2016)
 
 
Review and Special Offer: Bird Families of the World   (Book review)
Andy Stoddart reviews Bird Families of the World which distils the voluminous detail of the 17-volume Handbook of Birds of the World into a single book.
More here >
Written by: Andy Stoddart (22 Mar 2016)
 
 
Highlights from the 2014 Irish Rare Bird Report   (Personal Account)
Following the recent publication of the 2014 Irish Rare Bird Report we take a look at some of the highlights including new species as well as removal of an other. More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (16 Mar 2016)
 
 
Review and Special Offer: The Birds of Borneo   (Book review)
Mike Blair reviews this comprehensive guide to the varied avifauna of this island biodiversity hotspot, all illustrated, by the same expert artists who worked on the celebrated Birds of South-East Asia.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (16 Mar 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 09 - 15 Mar   (Weekly Roundup)
New birds turning up this week were pretty scarce but one new bird that made the headlines is Richardson's Cackling Goose, taking the British list to 601.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (16 Mar 2016)
 
 
African vulture pilot study aims to reduce poisoning deaths   (Conservation News)
Saving Africa's Vultures is a new project to tackle the continent's vulture crisis, and aims to find out more about the greatest threat facing African vultures: poisoning. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (15 Mar 2016)
 
 
Lush stores raise £100k for Hen Harriers   (Conservation News)
Over £100,000 has been raised for Hen Harrier conservation and satellite tagging through sales of Lush's Hen Harrier shaped bath bomb.
More here >
Written by: RSPB (15 Mar 2016)
 
 
Record Black-faced Spoonbill count, despite deteriorating habitat   (Conservation News)
The annual International Black-faced Spoonbill Census recorded 3,356 individuals in Jan 2016, up 2.6% from the last year, and a record recent count for this species. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (15 Mar 2016)
 
 
Mass bird slaughter goes on at British military base in Cyprus   (Wildlife crime)
Over 800,000 birds were trapped and killed illegally on a British military base in Cyprus last autumn, according to the latest research by the RSPB and BirdLife Cyprus.
More here >
Written by: RSPB (15 Mar 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 02 - 08 Mar   (Weekly Roundup)
Plenty of long-stayers remained in place this week, Glaucous-winged Gull, American Herring Gulls, Pacific Diver and Black Scoter. Multiple Northern-long-tailed Tits were the fresh blood this week.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (09 Mar 2016)
 
 
New Spurn Bird Observatory Grand Opening   (Event)
The new Spurn Bird Observatory building will be officially opened on Sunday Mar 27 at 2pm. Naturalist and presenter Mike Dilger will be cutting the ribbon and all are welcome.
More here >
Written by: Spurn Bird Observatory (09 Mar 2016)
 
 
Talking Naturally ep022 - Around the Med: Pt1   (Podcast)
The latest TN is live and this week we are looking at Montagu's Harrier conservation and also the plight of the Iberian Lynx, the world's rarest cat.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (08 Mar 2016)
 
 
Eight million birds killed illegally at 20 Mediterranean locations each year   (Wildlife crime)
The huge number is part of the even bigger one of 25 million birds being illicitly trapped, shot or glued annually in the region, according to a Birdlife report. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (08 Mar 2016)
 
 
BAWC 2016 LIVE video streams from RBA   (Event)
We are delighted to able to announce that we will be streaming live video of key talks from from the Birders Against Wildlife Crime conference next weekend.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (05 Mar 2016)
 
 
The Invisible Killer: Mist Nets At Chinese Airports   (Personal Account)
Terry Townshend looks at the use of mist nets at Chinese airports, which by some estimates, could be killing at least 13 millions birds every year!
More here >
Written by: Terry Townshend (05 Mar 2016)
 
 
Sandstorm buries hundreds of albatross chicks   (Conservation News)
Hundreds of Black-footed Albatross chicks were buried up to their necks by north-westerly winds that caused a sand storm on the beach on Kure Atoll.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (05 Mar 2016)
 
 
Bearded Vulture found dead in the French Pyrenees   (Conservation News)
A male Bearded Vulture breeding in the French Pyrenees has been found dead. Investigations are now underway to determine the cause of death.
More here >
Written by: VCF (04 Mar 2016)
 
 
Dragonfly is found to be the world's longest-distance flyer   (Research)
A dragonfly barely an inch and a half long appears to be animal world's most prolific long distance traveller - flying thousands of miles as it migrates from continent to continent. More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (04 Mar 2016)
 
 
Snowy Owl tracked with incredible detail   (Research)
A collaboration of more than 40 scientists, as well as dozens of organizations and institutions, Project SNOWstorm is the most ambitious attempt ever to understand the winter ecology of Snowy Owls in the US. More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (04 Mar 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 24 Feb - 01 Mar   (Weekly Roundup)
A fairly settled week with Ireland's first Glaucous-winged Gull remainimg in County Cork. Other highlights included Hooded Merganser, Pacific Diver, American Herring Gull, Hudsonian Whimbrel and Northern Harrier.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
UK's wildlife crime unit wins late reprieve from closure   (Press report)
The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) has been spared from closure following a last minute funding announcement by the government on Tuesday.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
Talking Naturally special episode: Abberton and Hanningfield   (Podcast)
In a special episode of Talking Naturally Charlie heads to Essex to spend they day around Abberton and Hanningfield Reservoirs.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
Do animals recognise their disabilities?   (Press report)
Kirma the Bearded Vulture was first seen in the wild in the Spanish Pyrenees in 2010 with a serious injury in its lower mandible but there are signs that she has adapted to her physical disability.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
Record breeding season for Magenta Petrel   (Press report)
Conservationists are celebrating a record breeding season for Magenta Petrel, a big step for a bird thought extinct until 1978.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
Longer-distance migratory birds are the smart ones   (Press report)
Birds that migrate the greatest distances have more new neurons in the regions of the brain responsible for navigation and spatial orientation, suggests a new paper published in Scientific Reports.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
Egyptian Vultures increasing in Catalonia   (Press report)
While the European population is generally declining, that of Catalonia has been increasing. Answers to this may prove essential to revert the conservation situation with this endangered species.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
Caerlaverock NNR: have your say on its future   (Press report)
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking for views on its plans for the future management of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Dumfries.
More here >
Written by: Scottish Natural Heritage (02 Mar 2016)
 
 
Record-breaking wintering numbers of Spoon-billed Sandpipers in China   (Conservation News)
Positive news from China as researchers have counted at least 45 individuals from a four locations, the highest number ever found in China during winter.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (25 Feb 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 17 - 23 Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
The bird making the headlines this week was one found in 2008, the Yelkouan Shearwater, which takes the British list to 600. Elsewhere many of the usual suspects were still present.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (24 Feb 2016)
 
 
Scottish minister accepts tougher penalties needed for wildlife offences   (Wildlife crime)
The Scottish Environment Minister has accepted recommendations to introduce tough new maximum penalties for those who commit crimes against wildlife.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (24 Feb 2016)
 
 
DVD Guides: review and half-price sale   (Book review)
Andy Stoddart reviews two of Paul Doherty's DVD Guide series. And courtesy of WildSounds & Books all the titles are available at half-price until 31 March.
More here >
Written by: Andy Stoddart (24 Feb 2016)
 
 
Fulmars contaminated more by food than microplastics   (Research)
Contrary to previous belief, new research has shown that microplastics are not a significant source of environmental pollutants in fulmars.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (24 Feb 2016)
 
 
West Nile Virus Has Struck Millions More Birds Than Thought   (Research)
The first in-depth study of the virus's impacts on bird populations, discovered the disease killed millions of birds many more than previously thought.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (24 Feb 2016)
 
 
Ecotourism can save endangered species   (Research)
Ecotourism can provide the critical difference between survival and extinction for endangered animals, according to new research from Australia's Griffith University.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (24 Feb 2016)
 
 
Birdfair breaks record to help migratory birds   (Conservation News)
Migratory birds have been handed a welcome boost by fundraising efforts from Birdfair 2015 after £320,000 was handed over to BirdLife to help vulnerable migratory birds in the Eastern Mediterranean.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (23 Feb 2016)
 
 
Yelkouan Shearwater takes British list to 600   (Press report)
The British Ornithologists' Records Committee (BOURC) has announced the addition of the 600th species to the British List.
More here >
Written by: BOURC (23 Feb 2016)
 
 
Pittas for a pittance - Indonesia's little known pitta trade   (Wildlife crime)
Pittas are a regular sight at some of Indonesia's notorious wild bird markets according to a newly published paper.
More here >
Written by: TRAFFIC (23 Feb 2016)
 
 
Endangered seabirds to get United States boost?   (Conservation News)
Conservationists have welcomed a proposed new law in the US that would help to protect globally threatened seabirds.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (23 Feb 2016)
 
 
Study: Parrots identified as most-threatened bird group   (Research)
New research has identified that parrots are among the most threatened groups of bird species, with 28% of extant species classified as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (23 Feb 2016)
 
 
Bearded Vultures numbers in the Alps continue to rise   (Conservation News)
There has been a very encouraging start to this year's Bearded Vulture Alpine breeding season, with a record number of occupied territories and many new couples in formation. More here >
Written by: VCF (23 Feb 2016)
 
 
Have your say on future of Hermaness NNR   (Conservation News)
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking for views on its plans for the future management of Britain's most northerly National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Shetland.
More here >
Written by: Scottish Natural Heritage (17 Feb 2016)
 
 
Migrating songbirds drift with crosswinds   (Research)
Using novel, recently developed techniques for analysis of Doppler polarimetric weather surveillance radar data, researchers examined impediments of nocturnally migrating songbirds...
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (17 Feb 2016)
 
 
New research to understand interactions between humans and urban gulls    (Research)
Academics and students from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) have begun a unique project studying the interaction between humans and urban gulls. More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (17 Feb 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 10 - 16 Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
Ireland steals the limelight this week with Glaucous-winged Gull, Black Scoter and Pacific Diver. In Britain rarities included Hudsonian Whimbrel, Northern and Pallid Harrier.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (17 Feb 2016)
 
 
Scilly's seabirds prosper as St Agnes and Gugh declared rat-free   (Conservation News)
St Agnes and Gugh in the Isles of Scilly have been declared officially rat-free after passing a thorough month-long inspection two years after the last signs of rat activity were spotted. More here >
Written by: RSPB (16 Feb 2016)
 
 
45% of all Finnish breeding birds are endangered   (Conservation News)
The latest assessment of the Red List of Birds for Finland has shown that the number of Red-listed breeding birds is increasing and now stands at 45% More here >
Written by: BirdLife (16 Feb 2016)
 
 
Pesticides poisoning birds in the Balkans   (12 Birds of Christmas)
Since 2009, 33 White-tailed Eagle carcasses have been found in Serbia, along with many other species including Common cranes, Barn Owl, Buzzard and Raven, the cause of the deaths - pesticide poisoning. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (12 Feb 2016)
 
 
Reclamation of Yellow Sea causing serious declines in migratory shorebirds   (Conservation News)
In-depth studies have indicated that rapid declines in three species of shorebird that migrate between Siberia and Australia is due to land reclamation along China's Yellow Sea coastline.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (11 Feb 2016)
 
 
Whooping Cranes adapting to survive   (Research)
A new study from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, suggests Louisiana cranes are faring well thanks in part to their penchant for hunting reptiles and amphibians.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (11 Feb 2016)
 
 
Nest size variation not related to breeding success   (Research)
According to an 18 year study, and contrary to expectations, the size of the Blue Tits' nests is unrelated to their breeding success.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (11 Feb 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 3 - 9 Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
Mark is back in the hot-seat after an extended break and rounds up the week's best birds from around Britain and Ireland.
More here >
Written by: Mark Golley (10 Feb 2016)
 
 
SWT opposes plans for ship-to-ship oil transfers in Moray Firth   (Conservation News)
Leading environmental charity, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is opposing plans for ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Moray Firth.
More here >
Written by: Scottish Wildlife Trust (10 Feb 2016)
 
 
Broad diets of Semipalmated Sand revealed   (Research)
The researchers behind a forthcoming study have shown that Semipalmated Sandpipers on their annual stopover in Canada's Bay of Fundy eat a far broader diet than anyone suspected.
More here >
Written by: Phys.Org (10 Feb 2016)
 
 
Failure to ban toxic ammunition putting bird lives at risk   (Conservation News)
The European Commission has announced it will continue allowing the use of lead in ammunition, despite it being responsible for thousands of bird deaths. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (09 Feb 2016)
 
 
Area the size of Scotland lost from the world's most important sites for nature   (Conservation News)
In a pioneering study, scientists have analysed satellite imagery to measure forest loss remotely across the global network of IBAs.
More here >
Written by: BirdLife (09 Feb 2016)
 
 
Survey confirms Chinese Crested Terns in Indonesia   (Conservation News)
A survey team led by Burung Indonesia and BirdLife's Asia Division has confirmed a wintering site of the globally threatened Chinese Crested Tern in eastern Indonesia. More here >
Written by: BirdLife (09 Feb 2016)
 
 
RSPB Scotland purchase Dunnet Head   (Conservation News)
RSPB Scotland has announced that it has purchased the nature reserve at Dunnet Head, which is the northernmost point of mainland Britain, after receiving a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
More here >
Written by: RSPB (05 Feb 2016)
 
 
Weekly birding roundup 27 Jan - 02 Feb   (Weekly Roundup)
Highlights during another stormy week included a Black Scoter in Northumberland and a trio of rare gulls: Glaucous-winged, American Herring and Franklin's.
More here >
Written by: Jon Dunn (03 Feb 2016)
 
 
In memory of Martin Garner   (Personal Account)
Andy Stoddart remembers Martin Garner who very sadly passed away this week.
More here >
Written by: Andy Stoddart (02 Feb 2016)
 
 
Spring in Eilat - The Rush hour of the Flyway   (Event)
Eilat is well known in birders circles as one of the best birding destinations in the world. This March again sees the Eilat Birds Festival take place.
More here >
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (02 Feb 2016)
 
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