Now that the BBS survey season is over, we will be sharing how much data we have received so far from each country across the UK. Beginning with Northern Ireland, although we are not likely to hit the heights of 2021, the second best year is in sight! @btobirds.bsky.social @bto-ni.bsky.social

It's time to get your design hats on! Why not have a go at designing the logo for our next Bird Atlas? Take a look at the post below to find out more. You can read about the previous Bird Atlas on this page if you need some inspiration: www.bto.org/get-involved... #Ornithology #CitizenScience

BTO | British Trust for Ornithology@btobirds.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Can you deliver an accessible, inclusive and engaging logo design for a new citizen science project? With a prize of £1,500 for the winning design and deadline of midnight on Sunday 9 August 2026. Find out more bit.ly/birdatlaslogo

..And that is that. We have reached the end of another BBS & WBBS survey season! Thank you so much to all surveyors. If you haven’t already, please enter your data by the end of August so that it can be verified. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology

It’s Invasive species week. The small, introduced Muntjac deer increased by 360% across the UK between 1996 and 2024. Find out more about mammal monitoring on BBS squares: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #INNSweek

Final @bbs-birds.bsky.social visit for 2026. Good to see evidence of successfully breeding Skylark and Swallow. Also heard more Chaffinches than before and, as usual, a highlight whilst not surveying…Yellowhammer! @bristolbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

Perfect morning to do my second visit to one of @bbs-birds.bsky.social squares. Highlights were Raven, Buzzard, Chaffinch and Whitethroat and a Red Kite that I saw after the survey had finished ( does that always happen or it just me) plus some Large Skippers and a patch of Common Spotted Orchids

We have ambitious plans to help breeding wader recovery from finding solutions to improve nest and chick survival to using tracking technology to compare breeding success in different areas. You can help us achieve them by donating via www.bto.org/breeding... Thank you. #Ornithology

(1/) One species that featured quite prominently in the 2025 BBS Report is Spotted Flycatcher. This summer visitor has dropped in numbers by over 60% since the mid 1990s. This decline seems to be occurring across the UK… @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology

Hobby at Chew Valley Lake Today @bristolbirding.bsky.social #birds

Volunteers are at the heart of BTO. 🐦 We couldn't achieve what we do for birds, science & people without you. Thank you! Here's a snapshot of what some of our survey volunteers have achieved 🙌 From Regional Reps to BTO Youth, there's a variety of volunteer roles at BTO➡️ www.bto.org/volunteer

It’s Volunteers’ Week! 2025 was the best year on record for BBS coverage across the UK. Thank you so much to the 2,828 volunteers who took part in the survey last year. We appreciate your time and effort. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #VolunteersWeek

It’s time for the UK Government to license gamebird shooting in England and give Hen Harriers and other birds of prey the protection they deserve. Contact your MP today and help stop the illegal killing of these incredible birds. action.rspb.org.uk/page/185536/...

Save Our Birds of Prey!

It’s time for the UK Government to license gamebird shooting in England and give Hen Harriers and other birds of prey the protection they deserve. Contact your MP today and help stop the illegal kill...

action.rspb.org.uk

Illegal persecution of birds of prey remains widespread across the UK despite more than 60 years of legal protection, according to a major new report published by the RSPB:

RSPB calls for UK shooting licences as raptor persecution persists

A decade-long review by the RSPB has revealed hundreds of confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents across the UK, renewing calls for tighter regulation of the gamebird shooting industry.

bit.ly

Deep within a Gloucestershire valley is a hidden world. The wider countryside is covered by mixed-age beech woodland in a complex mosaic of forest, commons and farmland. But in this quiet corner, a strikingly different blend of habitats can be found - and with it a mix of unusual species. (1/10)

Can recommend becoming a blogger for the Avon Bird Blog. I’ve learnt a huge amount about birds and birding in the region with the support of the blog team @bristolbirding.bsky.social avonbirding.blogspot.com/2026/05/bank...

Bank Holiday Monday - 25-05-26 - Quail

Avon Birds is a daily listing of birds found in Bristol, South Gloucester, North Somerset and BANES, by the Bristol Ornithological Club

avonbirding.blogspot.com

1/ With your help, we can create a more positive future for birds like Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank and Golden Plover. Donate today via www.bto.org/breeding... and support our breeding wader research. Thank you. #Ornithology

🐝Garden Bumblebees are active April–September. Look for yellow bands on the thorax, one yellow band on the abdomen, and a white tail. Their long face and tongue help them feed from foxgloves, honeysuckle, vetches, and red clover.🌸 Seen one? Add them to your list! 📸 Debbie Frazer (GBW Ambassador)

Final visit to my @btobirds.bsky.social Heronry Census site. No nests seen over the three visits but a good number of woodland species showing including a family of Marsh Tits which is a year ✅ @bristolbirding.bsky.social #Avonbirds

Lovely to see a female Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeder this evening @bto-gbw.bsky.social @bristolbirding.bsky.social #avonbirds

(1/) This Cuckoo wants to tell you that we are now halfway through the BBS & WBBS survey season! Thank you to all of you who have done your Early visit to your square or stretch. Extra thanks if you have already entered your data. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science

Good to see at least 9 fledgling Starlings(as well as 4 Feral Pigeons) on the grass today @bto-gbw.bsky.social @bristolbirding.bsky.social #avonbirds

Local Starlings have started to fledge. Two being fed by adults this morning @bristolbirding.bsky.social @bto-gbw.bsky.social

Good views of Spoonbill and 7 L RPlover at Pilning Wetland. 3 Yellow wag on the foreshore. Thanks to @oscardewhurst.bsky.social and @matthall95.bsky.social for pointing out the Temiminck’s Stint. Nice to meet @rose-setter.bsky.social and @markcoller.bsky.social and see @aravindramesh19.bsky.social

Early visit to @bbs-birds.bsky.social square today. Good to see Swallows and a decent number of skylarks. Over winter planting for Pucklechurch Forest will change the habitat over time @bristolbirding.bsky.social

In the last of our series of videos about the BBS Team’s Early visits to their BBS squares, here is David from his square in Dorset. More about what the survey involves: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Severn Beach produced a Dark-bellied Brent Goose early morning and a Pale bellied bird flew North there this evening when 100's of Terns, a few Little Gulls, an Arctic Skua, flocks of Whimbrel, a few Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Med Gulls etc. were seen. I papped Arctic Terns flying East beneath the Moon.

(1/) This week’s vacant BBS square is close to Spurn Point in East Yorkshire. If you live in that area and you are up for a bit of a challenge, why not consider signing up for it?! @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science Spurn Bird Observatory #BirdingYorkshire

Last chance to apply for work experience at BTO➡️ bit.ly/WorkExp2026 This is for young people currently studying for their GCSEs or A-levels, aged 14 to 18. We're also delighted to be able to provide local group accommodation & travel bursaries. 📆Application deadline: Sunday 26 April 2026.