Birdwatch

25/01/2025

Wetland creation on an estate in Exmoor has led to an 'abundance of wildlife', according to the National Trust:

Wetland creation on an estate in Exmoor has led to an 'abundance of wildlife', according to the National Trust. Rangers created the wetlands at Holnicote Estate to slow the flow of the River Aller as it crosses the site. Work was completed a year ago. The three-year long scheme to form 7 ha of water...

25/01/2025

Alderney Bird Observatory is recruiting a new warden:

The Channel Islands hot-spot is looking for a new member of staff.

24/01/2025

Winter flooding is causing major problems at Attenborough NR in Nottinghamshire, with managers concerned it could impact the future of the site's wildlife:

Winter flooding is causing major problems at Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottinghamshire, with managers concerned it could impact the future of the site's wildlife. The reserve, near Beeston, closed to visitors for two days in early January 2025 after footpaths in and around the site were flooded...

24/01/2025

New research has shown that worsening conditions in Doñana NP, one of Europe's key wetlands, have international consequences for bird populations:

A new paper shows that deteriorating conditions in Spain's Doñana National Park have far-reaching consequences for waterbirds across Europe.

24/01/2025

Wallasea Island RSPB is to expand by some 100 ha as part of major habitat-restoration work:

Wallasea Island RSPB is to expand by some 100 ha as part of major habitat-restoration work. Work is to begin later this year and will turn newly purchased land into natural grassland and a coastal lagoon, supporting rare and threatened birds such as Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank and Avocet.

23/01/2025

Dorset Wildlife Trust has announced plans to create a 'volunteer hub' at ones of its nature reserves:

Dorset Wildlife Trust has announced plans to create a 'volunteer hub' at ones of its nature reserves. The trust wants to build the centre at Lyscombe Farm near Piddletrenthide on the site of vacant farm buildings. The charity has also expressed plans to convert a farmyard into a meadow and create a....

23/01/2025

A tracking study has found that dogs walked off-lead cause significantly more disturbance on lowland heaths than pets kept on the lead:

Researchers tracked dogs on heathland sites, showing off-lead walking can reduce conservation value.

23/01/2025

The creation of new country park in Buckinghamshire would damage bird populations, wildlife groups have warned:

The creation of new country park in Buckinghamshire would damage bird populations, wildlife groups have warned. Plans to open the park at Little Marlow have been approved in principle by Buckinghamshire Council – but still need planning permission. The aim of the new park is to divert people from ...

22/01/2025

Review: SWAROVSKI OPTIK NL Pure 14x52

Ramping up the magnification, SWAROVSKI OPTIK has elevated its top-tier binocular to a new level. Mike Alibone takes a closer look: https://bit.ly/4gVw5Eq

22/01/2025

An Indian Pond Heron was found in Kuwait on New Year's Eve, representing the third record for the Western Palearctic:

An Indian Pond Heron was found in Kuwait on New Year's Eve 2024, representing the third record for the Western Palearctic. It was still present in mid-January 2025.

22/01/2025

Ireland's Little Terns enjoyed a very successful breeding season in 2024:

Ireland's Little Terns enjoyed a very successful breeding season in 2024, according to BirdWatch Ireland. Colonies along the country's east coast saw increased numbers of nesting pairs, with the number of fledged chicks considered a success too. At Kilcoole in Co Wicklow, more than 285 nesting pairs...

21/01/2025

A complete ban on the use of insect-killing neonicotinoid pesticides in the UK has moved a step closer:

A complete ban on the use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides in the UK has moved a step closer. The UK Government set out its plans in late December to deliver on a key election pledge. Despite being banned from general use in the UK, the previous government had authorised the use of neonicotin...

21/01/2025

Review of the Week: 13-19 January 2025

A Spectacled Eider proved highly popular in the Netherlands, while, back home, the continuing Booted Eagle attracted twitchers to Cornwall:

A Spectacled Eider proved highly popular in the Netherlands, while, back home, the continuing Booted Eagle attracted twitchers to Cornwall.

20/01/2025

Sam O'Donnell's brilliant capture of a displaying Common Goldeneye is today's Photo of the Week:

Sam O'Donnell's brilliant capture of a displaying Common Goldeneye is the winner of BirdGuides Photo of the Week for 13-19 January 2025.

20/01/2025

A new study has documented the catastrophic decline of Guillemot in Alaska following a marine heatwave that occurred between 2014 and 2016:

More than half of Alaska's breeding Guillemots were lost after a marine heatwave between 2014 and 2016, with no evidence of population recovery noted since.

20/01/2025

The Corncrake Calling project is celebrating a 2,000-ha milestone:

The Corncrake Calling project is celebrating a 2,000-ha milestone. Led by RSPB Scotland and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the four-year scheme has delivered essential conservation work to help Corncrakes and other wildlife, while bolstering the unique culture of rural Scottish com...

19/01/2025

Plans for a captive-breeding programme have been approved to help the rare and localised Florida Everglades subspecies of Seaside Sparrow:

Plans for a captive-breeding programme to help the rare and localised Florida Everglades subspecies of Seaside Sparrow has been approved. It is designated as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act and Critically Imperiled under America's NatureServe conservation status system. However, South Fl...

19/01/2025

Police have launched an appeal following the poisoning of a Peregrine Falcon in Northern Ireland:

Police have launched an appeal following the poisoning of a Peregrine Falcon in Northern Ireland. The adult falcon was found dead in the Forkhill area of Co Armagh on 12 June 2024. The bird was retrieved by the Police Service of Northern Ireland's search and rescue team and underwent testing to asce...