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
 
 
Weekly round-up: 26 June - 2 July 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
A tale of delight and despair for the Hebridean White-throated Needletail at the beginning of the week, followed by another 'much-sought-after' mega appearing on the Farne Islands at the end of the week. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (03 Jul 2013)
 
 
Spurn Migration Festival 6th-8th September 2013 - A FIRST FOR BRITAIN   (Conservation News)
Tickets for this groundbreaking and unique event will go on sale on July 1st, numbers are limited so make sure you don't miss out. More >
Written by: Spurn Bird Observatory, Rare Bird Alert (28 Jun 2013)
 
 
First tagged Cuckoo leaves the UK   (Press report)
The first tagged Cuckoo has left the UK! Sussex, who has been named by the Sussex Ornithological Society, is the first to depart and is now in the Upper Normandy region of France. More >
Written by: BTO (28 Jun 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 19 - 25 Jun 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
A relatively quiet week was livened up at the end by the first appearance of a White-throated Needletail for 22 years. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (26 Jun 2013)
 
 
Little Tern colony facing extinction after massive egg theft   (Press report)
A Little Tern colony on the beach at Crimdon, near Hartlepool, has had all of its eggs stolen leading to fears that the colony now faces extinction. Read more here
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (20 Jun 2013)
 
 
Young Bird Obs Volunteer Fund   (Conservation News)
The BTO has announced that will provide a number of grants of up to £200, to support young people looking to visit one of the accredited British and Irish Bird Observatories. Read more here
Written by: BTO (20 Jun 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 12 - 18 Jun 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
After sightings in Suffolk, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire a Pacific Swift did what no Pacific Swift had done in the past 20 years and stuck around long to be twitched by the masses. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (19 Jun 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 5 - 11 Jun 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
Highlights of the week include River Warbler, Collared Flycatcher and Roller all on Fair Isle, a Paddyfield Warbler on Bardsey and news that Little Bitterns are once again breeding in Somerset. Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (12 Jun 2013)
 
 
Little Bitterns breeding once more in Somerset   (Conservation News)
The RSPB have confirmed that Little Bitterns are once again breeding at their Ham Wall reserve in Somerset Read more here
Written by: RSPB (07 Jun 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 28 May - 4 Jun 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
An excellent contender for a Pacific Swift was seen (and photographed) briefly in Suffolk whilst in Kent a Crested Lark was another 'brief-stayer'. Shetland scored a Pallid Harrier and on the Outer Hebrides the Harlequin Duck remained on North Uist. On Portland an extraordinary movement of Spotted Flycatchers was witnessed on the morning of 1st. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (05 Jun 2013)
 
 
Help needed to find the UK's rarest bird of prey   (Conservation News)
The RSPB is calling on farmers and birdwatchers to help locate the UK's rarest nesting bird of prey: the Montagu's Harrier Read more here
Written by: RSPB (05 Jun 2013)
 
 
Conservation groups seek ministerial reassurance about bird of prey protection.   (Conservation News)
A coalition of wildlife and countryside organisations has written to the Environment Secretary for a reassurance that no licences will be issued for the removal or destruction of birds of prey or their nests for the protection of gamebirds. Read more here
Written by: RSPB (05 Jun 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 22 - 28 May 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
The two top birds this week were both unavailable to the masses. The first, a presumed male Indigo Bunting, was present for just an hour in a garden on Anglesey. The second, a White-throated Sparrow in Lincolnshire, found on 28th and still present as we go to press is in a garden in Spalding but the location is currently being suppressed by those in the know! Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (29 May 2013)
 
 
Scottish Bean Goose population given helping hand by Forestry Commission Scotland   (Press report)
Scotland's only population of Bean Geese will be better protected in future thanks to the purchase of a site in North Lanarkshire by Forestry Commission Scotland. Read more here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (29 May 2013)
 
 
Lydd Airport extension decision prompts legal challenge by RSPB   (Conservation News)
The RSPB has issued a legal challenge to the Government's decision to allow the expansion of Lydd Airport in Kent. Read more here
Written by: RSPB (29 May 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 15 - 21 May 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
Britain's first twitchable Dusky Thrush in 50 years is found in Kent and stays long enough for the keenest to connect. Shetland hosted, albeit briefly, the first summer-plumaged Pacific Diver to be found in Britain. Another Collared Flycatcher (three this spring and counting) was in E.Yorks whilst the east coast gets a big fall of rare and scarce migrants. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (22 May 2013)
 
 
Spurn to host first National Migration Festival 6 - 8 Sept 2013   (Conservation News)
The 6th-8th September will see Britain's first national migration festival held at the iconic East Yorkshire site of Spurn. Read more here
Written by: Martin Garner - Birding Frontiers, Rare Bird Alert (17 May 2013)
 
 
Book Review: The World's Rarest Birds   (Book review)
Andy Stoddart reviews this vividly illustrated book depicting the most endangered birds in the world. It provides the latest information on the threats each species faces and the measures being taken to save them. Read the review here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (16 May 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 08 - 14 May 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
The highlights of the week include a brace of Collared Flycatchers, one in Shetland the other on the mainland in Northumberland, Pied-billed Grebe in Ireland plus a large skua passage on the Outer Hebrides Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (15 May 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 01 - 07 May 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
No new major rarities this week but still enough migrants to keep birders interested including a flock of Red-footed Falcons in Cambridgeshire, a trio of Bonaparte's Gulls and a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll on Orkney Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (08 May 2013)
 
 
White's Thrush in Highland - found by camera trap!   (Press report)
A camera set up to capture images of Scottish wildcats in Sutherland has photographed a White's Thrush! Read more here
Written by: BBC (08 May 2013)
 
 
Help find Britain's House Martins   (Conservation News)
Over the last 25 years we have lost two-thirds of our breeding House Martins, with the greatest losses in England and Wales. During the last year, the BTO have received several reports of long-established colonies being abandoned, possibly due to the cool, wet 2012 summer but in order to fully understand the declines, they need more information. Read more here
Written by: BTO (07 May 2013)
 
 
Olive-backed Pipit no longer a BBRC species   (Conservation News)
According to the BBRC "this delightful 'Sibe' has been showing a steady increase in numbers recently with typically from 10 to 20 birds each year. But in 2012 there was a major influx of close to 50 birds, and that meant our criteria for removal. Read more on their decision here
Written by: BBRC (01 May 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 24 - 30 April 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
A two-day female Rock Thrush in East Yorkshire was undoubtedly the stand-out bird of the week. Elsewhere there was a trio of Iberian Chiffchaffs, a very showing Eastern Subalpine Warbler entertained many in Suffolk whilst in Aberdeenshire there was a record breaking count of White-billed Divers Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (01 May 2013)
 
 
Dead buzzard found with its beak tied with twine   (Press report)
April 2013. Police in Derbyshire are investigating after a dead buzzard was found on land near Turnditch with its beak apparently bound. Wildlife crime officers are working with the RSPB to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bird's death. Read the story here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (01 May 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 17 - 23 Apr 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
In a week which saw some typically variable April weather there was a very nice mix of new arrivals to report on. A Baillon's Crake in Gloucestershire was unfortunately found freshly dead. Elsewhere there were two Pallid Harriers plus plenty of rare and scarce passerines, mainly in the south. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (24 Apr 2013)
 
 
Spoon-billed Sandpipers in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire   (Personal Account)
Well, not quite, but on Sunday 5th May runners and a lone cyclist will be traversing these 2 counties in aid of the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust Conservation breeding project for the Spoon- billed Sandpiper. Read the story here
Written by: Mike Edgecombe, Rare Bird Alert (23 Apr 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 10 - 16 Apr 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
At last spring seemed to arrive this week. A female type Red-flanked Bluetail was a very nice find at Horsey in Norfolk. However it was the [brief] appearance of an exotic duck at Flamborough which makes the headline this week. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (17 Apr 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 03 - 09 Apr 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
Another week and another Killdeer, this time in Britain on the mainland in Lancashire. Unfortunately much like the bird in Co.Donegal ten days previous it didn't hang around for the masses. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (10 Apr 2013)
 
 
Stone Curlews succumb to cold spring   (Conservation News)
The bodies of eight Stone Curlews have been found in fields in Norfolk, Suffolk and Wiltshire in the past few days having died of starvation due to the cold weather and lack of food. Read the story here
Written by: RSPB (10 Apr 2013)
 
 
Finders report: Lightning really does strike twice!   (Personal Account)
In a double find like no other, Gavin Thomas recounts how, in the space of 10 days, he finds a north American mega wader in two different countries: One whilst on a family holiday, the other whilst working his local patch! Read Gavin's extraordinary story here
Written by: Gavin Thomas, Rare Bird Alert (09 Apr 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 27 Mar - 02 Apr 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
Another chilly week but at last some new birds to report on. In Co.Donegal Ireland scored a March Killdeer whilst in Surrey a splendid male Pallid Harrier became only the second March record but unfortunately being a one day wonder meant it wasn't 'available' to the masses. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (03 Apr 2013)
 
 
The BTO - "Garden birdwatchers are seeing red"   (Conservation News)
The delicate Lesser Redpoll is sweeping into a record number of gardens this spring, thrilling householders as it goes. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has produced a free factsheet to help people to discover more about this bubbly newcomer. Read more here
Written by: BTO (28 Mar 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 20 - 26 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
In a week when much of Britain shivered and migration was largely halted a few good birds managed to make landfall. The best of the scarce migrants were to be found on the south coast and in the south west whilst in Scotland a Black-throated Thrush turned up in a birders mum's garden! Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (27 Mar 2013)
 
 
Entente cordiale - Snow Bunting movements between France, Belgium and the UK   (Press report)
Yet more fascinating findings, this time on Snow Buntings, from ringing recoveries and the folk at the BTO ringing team. Read the story here
Written by: BTO (22 Mar 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 13 - 19th Mar 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
The week was largely dominated by the presence of long-staying rarities. Rather fittingly as we are in the middle of the dates for first Lesser Scaup record for Britain two counties scored their first. And as we go to press late news of a White-throated Sparrow in Somerset which unfortunately is no longer present! Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (20 Mar 2013)
 
 
Rat eradication continues on South Georgia   (Conservation News)
Project Director Tony Martin gives an update from South Georgia where the mammoth task of eradicating rats from a huge area of the island is continuing. Read more here (opens a PDF)
DONATE TO THE PROJECT HERE
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (14 Mar 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 06 - 12 Mar 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
In a week dominated by rain, cold winds and snow it was unsurprising that very few new birds were found. The rarity highlights included the continued presence of the Harlequin and Pied-billed Grebe in Britain whilst in Ireland the American Coot and Northern Harrier were also still present. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (13 Mar 2013)
 
 
Diary of a WWT Warden - March 2013   (Personal Account)
Caerlaverock's WWT warden Mike Youdale is back with his diary from the Dumfries and Galloway reserve. In his first entry of 2013 Mike summarises the highs and lows of 2012 which proved to be a year dominated by extreme weather. Read more here
Written by: Mike Youdale, WWT (07 Mar 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 27 Feb - 05 Mar 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
As the first summer migrants began arriving in the south it was a mammalian species from the Arctic, on a brief stopover on North Ronaldsay, which provided the biggest surprise of the week. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (06 Mar 2013)
 
 
White storks have stopped migrating - New project to discover why?   (Press report)
A new project to find out why storks are changing their migratory patterns has been launched by the University of East Anglia. Read more here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (06 Mar 2013)
 
 
Eagles and other raptors still being poisoned in Ireland   (Press report)
The recent deaths of two White-tailed Eagles in south-west Ireland have once again raised serious concerns over the continuing incidents of illegal poisoning in the country. Read more here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (06 Mar 2013)
 
 
Pine-ing for a Grosbeak - a lesson on how not to twitch a mega.   (Personal Account)
With a life list of over 520, accumulated over three decades one could be forgiven for thinking that Mark Golley would have the art twitching down to a tee. However after recently failing to connect with the long-staying Pine Grosbeak on Shetland Mark explains why he has now ordained himself as "Britain's Worst Twitcher"! Read more here
Written by: Mark Golley (04 Mar 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 20 - 26 Feb 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
A week of little change with the drake Harlequin staying put on the Western Isles as did the Pied-billed Grebe in Somerset. The Pine Grosbeak appeared to depart Shetland whilst on the mainland a male Snowy Owl is found atop the Cairngorms. Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (27 Feb 2013)
 
 
World's biggest bird count - 101 countries, 3,138 species, 25 million birds   (Press report)
In the largest worldwide bird count ever, bird watchers set new records, counting more than 25 million birds on 116,000 checklists in four days - and recording 3,138 species, nearly one-third of the world's total bird species. Read more here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (25 Feb 2013)
 
 
Crucial discovery of breeding ground of Critically Endangered New Zealand Storm-petrels   (Press report)
New Zealand Storm-petrel, thought extinct for 200 years, found breeding just 50 km from Auckland City. Read more here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (25 Feb 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 13 - 19 Feb 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
When a Pied-billed Grebe was found in Somerset during the early part of the week few would have predicted that it would get trumped. However nobody had accounted for a splendid drake Harlequin Duck turning up on North Uist! Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (20 Feb 2013)
 
 
Researchers fit satellite tags to unlock secrets of 'lost' geese   (Conservation News)
Researchers in Bulgaria have taken the largest ever catch of Endangered red-breasted geese and fitted satellite tracking devices in a bid to unlock one of the biggest mysteries of the natural world. Read more here
Written by: WWT (20 Feb 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 06 - 12 Feb 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
Another week in February and another mega! Tacumshin in Co.Wexford hosted an all too brief Baikal Teal, Ireland's second record if accepted. Meanwhile on Shetland the very showy Pine Grosbeak remained on Mainland albeit giving a few a run around at times. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (13 Feb 2013)
 
 
Local patches in the NE under threat from council cuts   (Conservation News)
A number of important nature reserves around Gateshead are under threat as the council looks to make the last remaining Countryside Rangers redundant. Read more here
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (11 Feb 2013)
 
 
Shetland Nature helping Shetland's nature   (Conservation News)
A tour company specialising in birding and wildlife tours on Shetland are part funding a project and working with local landowners to plant 'sacrificial crops' to provide habitat for birds on Unst. Read more here
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (11 Feb 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 30 Jan - 05 Feb 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
A twitchable Pine Grosbeak on Shetland brought a sudden and much welcome end to the rarity drought. A juvenile American Herring Gull in Cork was a great find whilst in neighbouring Kerry another gull provided plenty for the larophiles on both sides of 'the pond' to talk about. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (06 Feb 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 23 - 29 Jan 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
In a week where we saw the last significant fall of snow (for now at least) there was little change in the way of new birds. Berkshire of all places was the place to be where the American Buff-bellied Pipit remained as did the Pallas's Warbler, whilst in Dorset an unusually elusive and equally unseasonal Hoopoe was a surprise find. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (30 Jan 2013)
 
 
Assault continues on South Georgia's rats   (Press report)
The huge logistical challenge of eradicating rats on South Georgia is continuing but already conservationists are seeing increases in some bird populations. Read the article here
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (24 Jan 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 16 - 22 Jan 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
A significant fall this week, unfortunately not of an avian nature rather one of Snow, meant little in the way of new discoveries. Still there was plenty of winter fayre on offer across the country for those brave enough to venture into the freezing temperatures. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (23 Jan 2013)
 
 
Isles of Scilly rats to be wiped out to protect birds   (Press report)
Rats are to set to be eradicated from two of the Islands, St.Agnes and Gugh to protect the island's seabirds. England's only population of Storm Petrel is said to be at risk from the rats. Read the article here
Written by: This is Cornwall (23 Jan 2013)
 
 
Slavonian Grebe found dead in Inverness came from Iceland   (Conservation News)
A ringed Slavonian Grebe found dead in Inverness city centre has been found to have come from Iceland. Read the article here
Written by: RSPB (22 Jan 2013)
 
 
Shorebird trapping threatens new Spoon-billed Sandpiper wintering site in China   (Advertising feature)
Four Spoon-billed Sandpipers found at Fucheng, near Leizhou, south-west Guangdong Province in December 2012. Together with several other recent sightings this record indicates that Spoon-billed Sandpiper is a more widespread wintering species on the coast of southern China than was previously known. However, evidence was found of large-scale trapping of shorebirds an Read the article here
Written by: BirdLife (22 Jan 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 09 - 15 Jan 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
In terms of new birds there wasn't a lot on offer this week, the highlight being the reappearance of the two American Buff-bellied Pipits in Berkshire. However the corpse of a White-tailed Tropicbird found on a Cumbria beach will provide much discussion for some time to come and somewhat of a headache for the rarities committee. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (16 Jan 2013)
 
 
"Vicious" gamekeeper convicted of poisoning buzzards   (Conservation News)
A Lincolnshire gamekeeper has been convicted of killing two Buzzards and possessing a quantity of an illegally-held poison, which the RSPB says would have been enough to destroy all the birds of prey in Lincolnshire. Read the article here
Written by: RSPB (11 Jan 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 02 - 08 Jan 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
The first full week of 2013 was very much a case of "as you were" with long staying rarities such as American Coot and Northern Harrier still present in Ireland. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (09 Jan 2013)
 
 
Book Review: Birds of Central Asia   (Book review)
Norfolk rarities committee member Graham Etherington reviews Birds of Central Asia. It is the first field guide to include the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, along with neighbouring Afghanistan. Read the review here
Written by: Graham Etherington (07 Jan 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 19 Dec 2012 - 01 Jan 2013   (Weekly Roundup)
The first weekly round-up of 2013 is a double edition covering the last two weeks of 2012 plus New Years Day. It was somewhat quiet in terms of new birds but perhaps unsurprising given the atrocious weather across large parts of the UK during the fortnight. Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (02 Jan 2013)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 12 - 18 Dec 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Mid December threw up a couple of excellent, if somewhat unseasonal, birds in the shape of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Scilly and a very showy Buff-bellied Pipit in Berkshire! Whilst in Suffolk the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll continued it's stay at Aldeburgh. Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (19 Dec 2012)
 
 
Three special Christmas offers on books from WildSounds.com   (Book review)
As part of bringing RBA users special discounts on bird and natural history books we have three fantastic offers from WildSounds.com. Get great savings on the Birds of Central Asia, Large Format Collins Bird Guide and also Tracks & Signs of the Birds of Britain & Europe. Full Details Here
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (13 Dec 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 05 - 11 Dec 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
An extremely showy Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Aldeburgh in Suffolk drew the crowds over the weekend and will undoubtedly be highlight of the week for many. Elsewhere the adult Pacific Diver returned to West Cornwall for another winter and on the Western Isles a very smart Gyr was present. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (12 Dec 2012)
 
 
Cutting edge science used to reveal persecution of England's rarest breeding bird   (Conservation News)
The battle to save England's most threatened nesting bird of prey from illegal persecution is going increasingly high-tech as a technique used for the first time in the UK confirms that a female Hen Harrier which was found dead in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, had been shot. Read the article here
Written by: RSPB (10 Dec 2012)
 
 
Ascension Frigatebirds breed on Ascension Island after 180 year absence   (Conservation News)
Following a programme to eradicate feral cats from the Island, Ascension Frigatebirds have been found nesting on Ascension Island once again, after 180 year absence. Read the article here
Written by: RSPB (10 Dec 2012)
 
 
Wild Bird populations in the UK 1970-2011   (Conservation News)
The latest wild bird indicators, just published, show farmland birds are still declining, some woodland birds are declining whilst others increase, breeding water and wetland birds remain stable, whilst seabirds and wintering water birds remain well above 1970s levels, despite some recent declines. Read the article here
Written by: BTO (06 Dec 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 28 Nov - 04 Dec Nov 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
A veritable mixed bag with some 'interesting' new arrivals worthy of discussion plus Ireland gets it's third American Coot in County Galway and Shetland gets a late Black-throated Thrush. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (05 Dec 2012)
 
 
Raptor persecution continues in Scotland and poses significant threat to their future   (Press report)
Illegal shooting, trapping, nest destruction and poisoning continue to pose a significant threat to Scotland's birds of prey, according to the latest annual report by RSPB Scotland, covering 2011. Read the article here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (05 Dec 2012)
 
 
2012 breeding season worst on record for many UK nesting birds   (Conservation News)
Latest figures from the BTO show that the 2012 breeding season was the worst on record for many species after a year of unpredictable weather. Read the article here
Written by: Wildlife Extra (05 Dec 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 21 - 27 Nov 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
A double-header on South Uist in the shape of an American Coot and a Pied-billed Grebe were the undoubted highlights of the week. Cambridgeshire hosted it's first Blyth's Reed Warbler, whilst in Rhyl the Desert Wheatear continued to show very well. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (28 Nov 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 14 - 20 Nov 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Two birds, both of which showed only very briefly at opposite ends of Britain, were the week's highlights. An Asian Desert Warbler was found in Kent whilst on South Uist a white Gyrfalcon was found and although only stopping briefly both were photographed. The other main highlight was the continued presence of a number of Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls on Shetland. Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (21 Nov 2012)
 
 
44 million birds lost in the UK since 1966   (Conservation News)
As the latest State of the Nation's Bird Report is published shocking declines and losses are reported with some 44 million birds being lost since 1966. Read the article here
Written by: RSPB (19 Nov 2012)
 
 
EU plan launched to halt seabird killing after decade-long campaign   (Conservation News)
Today [Friday 16 November, 2012], after a long fight, the European Commission has finally launched an EU Plan of Action (1) to reduce seabird bycatch: the incidental deaths of seabirds ensnared in fishing gears. Read the article here
Written by: RSPB (16 Nov 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 07 - 13 Nov 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Things finally started to quieten down a little this week, that is if you count a Cedar Waxwing and Blackpoll Warbler in the same County Mayo garden as quietening down! Long staying rarities included the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Fife and Bee-eater in Co.Durham and the great Waxwing invasion continued at pace. Read the round-up here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (14 Nov 2012)
 
 
Amur Falcon massacre in India - 120,000 killed in one week   (Conservation News)
Shocking evidence has been gathered by Conservation India of the massacre of over 120,000 Amur Falcons in just one week in a remote part of north east India. Read the article here
Written by: Shashank Dalvi and Ramki Sreenivasan, Conservation India (14 Nov 2012)
 
 
Chance to buy the original artwork from the definitive "Birds of Africa"   (Press report)
Martin Woodcock painted virtually all the colour plates for the seven-volume definitive work The Birds of Africa. Now you can buy some of the original plates from Birds of Africa, and help support some of the African Bird Club's conservation fund to support ornithological projects in Africa. Find out more here
Written by: African Bird Club (13 Nov 2012)
 
 
Book Review: Advanced Bird ID Handbook - The Western Palearctic by Nils van Duivendijk   (Book review)
Norfolk rarities committee member Graham Etherington reviews the large format version of Nils van Duivendijk's Advanced ID Handbook. PLUS RBA users special offer: SAVE £8.50 - Only £16.49 delivered! Read the review here
Written by: Graham Etherington (13 Nov 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 31 Oct - 06 Nov 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Galway's Belted Kingfisher reappears at the start of the week. Fair Isle's lingering Siberian Rubythroat breaks a record or two...as does the Kilminning Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. A Spanish Sparrow appears on the Isle of Wight. County Clare holds on to the Pied-billed Grebe and the juvenile female Northern Harrier in Wexford stays in to a new month plus, who knows what to make of the Sussex Hooded Merganser and much more. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (07 Nov 2012)
 
 
An unusual Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler on the Isles of Scilly October 2012   (Personal Account)
The Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler on the Isles of Scilly in October: Tim Vaughan's finder's report, with sound recordings and sonograms from Magnus Robb and The Sound Approach. Read the full article here
Written by: Tim Vaughan (02 Nov 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 24 - 30 Oct 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Unbelievable news this week, albeit belatedly, of a phylloscopus warbler on Portland thought to be either a Sakhalin or Pale-legged Leaf Warbler! Elsewhere there was a one-day Bobolink on Shetland whilst the Chestnut-eared Bunting and Siberian Rubythroat remained in place. In western Ireland there is a Pied-billed Grebe whilst on Scilly the archipelago's keenest listers score a brace of ticks with Chough and Great White Egret. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (31 Oct 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 17 - 23 Oct 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Britain's second ever Chestnut-eared Bunting is found on mainland Shetland, whilst Fair Isle bags another Siberian Rubythroat. Elsewhere a super smart Daurian Shrike was on Portland whilst a number of Olive-backed Pipits and Red-flanked Bluetails are found in falls on the east coast. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (24 Oct 2012)
 
 
Book Review: Owls of the World - a Photographic Guide   (Book review)
In the first of a new feature on the RBA website Andy Stoddart reviews Heimo Mikkola's photographic guide to the Owls of the World. Plus we have an exclusive offer when you purchase the book from WildSounds. Read the review here
Written by: Andy Stoddart (23 Oct 2012)
 
 
Exclusive discounts for RBA users on bird books from WildSounds.com   (Book review)
We are delighted to announce that to coincide with our new book reviews, RBA users can now get exclusive discounts on selected books and products from WildSounds.com Full details here
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (23 Oct 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 10 - 16 Oct 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
This week, Ireland scores its first South Polar Skua from a Cork headland, an Eyebrowed Thrush keeps Shetland's tally of rares ticking over nicely, Nearctic vagrants on Scilly include Blackpoll Warbler & Solitary Sandpiper plus a whole lot more besides. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (17 Oct 2012)
 
 
Possible deline of 100,000 in Pink-footed Goose population   (Press report)
Survey results recently published by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) reveal that the population of Pink-footed Geese may have dropped by around 100,000 in just the last two years Read the full story here >
Written by: WWT (17 Oct 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 03 - 09 Oct 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Another amazing week in this already amazing autumn. The Western Palearctic's first Eastern Kingbird is found in Western Ireland and is quickly followed up by Belted Kingfisher, Myrtle Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler all in the same county! A whole raft of other quality rarities ensure this would go down in the ornithological record books as a vintage week Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (10 Oct 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 26 Sept - 02 Oct 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Another hectic week packed full of quality rarities and it was Shetland which once again stole the limelight. Highlights included a trio of mainland Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers, the autumn's second Swainson's Thrush, an influx of American Buff-bellied Pipits plus much more Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (03 Oct 2012)
 
 
Britain provides vital refuges for wetland birds   (Advertising feature)
New report reveals influx of wetland birds to Britain during freezing conditions. Read the full story here >
Written by: RSPB (03 Oct 2012)
 
 
Russian conservation trials pave way for Spoon-billed Sandpiper recovery   (Conservation News)
An Anglo-Russian team has successfully trialled conservation methods that will pave the way for Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers to be reared and released into the wild. Read the full story here >
Written by: RSPB (03 Oct 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 19 - 25 Sept 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
A comprehensive round-up of a remarkable week, the highlight of which was undoubtedly Britain's second ever Magnolia Warbler on Fair Isle. With an outstanding supporting cast of Swainson's Thrush, Sykes's Warbler, Blyth's Pipit, White's Thrush, it was a week which will live long in the memory. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (26 Sep 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 12 - 18 Sept 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Headline of the week was undoubtedly Shetland scoring its first-ever Red-eyed Vireo way up on Unst. Lingering rarities included the Short-billed Dowitchers in Dorset and on Scilly and the Baillon's Crake in London. Whilst in Somerset there was confirmation that Little Bittern bred once again on the Somerset Levels for the third year in a row. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (19 Sep 2012)
 
 
Looking for Leach's - finding Leach's Petrel in Britain - a site guide   (Species accounts)
Mid September onwards is the prime time to try and connect with Leach's Petrel in Britain. The best sites are mainly dotted along the west coast and here we give you details on a few of the very best sites, some of which allow for some extraordinarily close views Read the article here
Written by: Rare Bird Alert (14 Sep 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 05 - 11 Sept 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Another week packed with quality rarities, Britain's third ever Semipalmated Plover on the Western Isles, a new Short-billed Dowitcher in the south west and a co-operative Baillon's Crake in London were the headline makes but there were lots more goodies to be had Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (12 Sep 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 29 Aug - 04 Sept 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
What a week... a first for the WP in the shape of a fly-by Black Skimmer in County Mayo, Britain's second ever Short-billed Dowitcher in Dorset plus American Black Tern in the NW, Spanish Sparrow in Suffolk, Yelkouan Shearwater in County Durham plus much more Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (05 Sep 2012)
 
 
Berries and birds survey   (Press report)
Do birds use the berry bushes in your garden in the autumn? If so, you can help the BTO by contributing your observations in a new survey. More >
Written by: Birdwatch (05 Sep 2012)
 
 
A tern for the better   (Press report)
In contrast to the bad news from many seabird colonies around the British coast, the Sandwich Terns on Blakeney Point had a remarkable breeding season this year. More >
Written by: Birdwatch (05 Sep 2012)
 
 
Weekly round-up: 22 - 28 Aug 2012   (Weekly Roundup)
Dapper male Spanish Sparrow makes a brief touch down in Suffolk, a Fea's (type) Petrel cruises past the tip of west Cornwall, another Irish Barolo Little Shearwater, an influx of Azorean (Yellow-legged) Gulls.. Read the round-up here
Written by: Mark Golley (29 Aug 2012)
 
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