BirdGuides

How drones are helping to save Critically Endangered Hawaiian birds In a race to protect several species of endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and members of the multi-agency Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) partnership have started using drones to combat deadly avian malaria, which is spread by non-native mosquitoes. This effort marks the first known instance of specialised mosquito pods being dropped by drones.

Conservationists are trying to save rare Hawaiian birds from extinction through the use of drones and mosquitos:

Patchwork Challenge 2025 update Jacob Spinks provides a detailed summary of the happenings in the 2025 Patchwork Challenge, a friendly competition for British and Irish patch birders.

Patchwork Challenge 2025 update

Jacob Spinks provides a detailed summary of the happenings in this year's Patchwork Challenge across Britain:

ZEISS Secacam 3 trail camera review

ZEISS has recently released a new range of trail cameras. Kit Day was left impressed after testing out the entry-level model: https://bit.ly/40M74Wq

Hen Harrier chicks fledge despite suspected persecution Five Hen Harrier chicks have fledged in Cumbria and Lancashire, despite four breeding males vanishing in suspected persecution cases. The RSPB intervened to feed females, ensuring the chicks' survival. Police are investigating, as conservationists warn the Red-listed birds remain at severe risk from illegal killing and habitat threats.

Five Hen Harrier chicks have fledged in Cumbria and Lancashire, despite the unexplained disappearance of four breeding males – incidents the RSPB believes point to illegal killing:

Birmingham becomes UK's first Nature City Birmingham has been named the UK's first official Nature City, recognised for expanding access to green spaces and biodiversity. The award, from a partnership led by the National Trust and Natural England, highlights Birmingham's 25-year City of Nature plan and follows a £9-million grant for its historic Botanical Gardens.

Birmingham has been named the UK's first official Nature City in recognition of its efforts to improve access to green spaces and reconnect communities with the natural environment:

Mark Avery: spring clean Mark Avery reflects on a year of columns between May 2024 and May 2025 and sees whether there has been much, if any, action on the issues he has discussed.

Spring clean

Mark Avery reflects on a year of columns and sees whether there has been much, if any, action on the issues he has discussed:

Review of the Week: 28 July-3 August 2025 A sensational Suffolk spell produced Zitting Cisticola, Black Stork and Britain's first-ever Southern Small White butterfly.

Review of the week: 28 July-3 August 2025

A sensational Suffolk spell produced a Zitting Cisticola, Black Stork and Britain's first-ever Southern Small White butterfly. Sam Viles reports:

Photo of the Week: 28 July-3 August 2025 A dramatic capture of two clashing tern species is the winning image in a strong week of entries.

A dramatic capture of two clashing tern species by Miles Cluff is the Photo of the Week winning image in a strong week of entries:

Southern Small White reaches Britain for first time Southern Small White has been recorded in Britain for the first time, with sightings in Suffolk and Cleveland in summer 2025. Once confined to southern Europe, the species is expanding rapidly north despite puzzling ecological models. Identification challenges mean more UK records may emerge soon, making this a landmark summer for British butterfly enthusiasts and naturalists alike.

The long-anticipated first British records of Southern Small White have occurred this summer, with recent sightings from Cleveland and Suffolk:

Spoon-billed Sandpipers observed at previously unknown breeding site Conservationists have been left stunned after a satellite-tagged Spoon-billed Sandpiper revealed a previously unknown breeding location for the species. The bird, known as 'K9', was first tracked to a mountainous area of the Russian Far East in June 2024, returning again there this summer. In July 2025, Russian scientists visited the remote area, which has never previously been surveyed, and found three nesting pairs.

Conservationists have been left stunned after confirming the nesting of Spoon-billed Sandpiper at a previously unknown location for the species:

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Conor Mark Jameson: fact, fiction and The Peregrine The media storm over The Salt Path and the truthfulness of non-fiction triggers memories of a similar debate in birding circles over The Peregrine for Conor Mark Jameson.

Fact, fiction and The Peregrine

The media storm over The Salt Path and the truthfulness of non-fiction triggers memories of a similar debate in birding circles over The Peregrine for Conor Mark Jameson:

Tony Marr: 1939-2025 Keith Betton pays tribute to Tony Marr, a legendary figure of British birding who recently passed away.

Tony Marr: 1939-2025

Keith Betton pays tribute to Tony Marr, a legendary figure of British birding who recently passed away:

UK Government urged to get biodiversity net gain back on track An open letter from industry leaders and environmental charities has been sent to the UK Government.

An open letter from industry leaders and environmental charities is has urged the UK Government to get Biodiversity Net Gain back on track across England:

Birmingham becomes UK's first Nature City Birmingham has been named the UK's first official Nature City, recognised for expanding access to green spaces and biodiversity. The award, from a partnership led by the National Trust and Natural England, highlights Birmingham's 25-year City of Nature plan and follows a £9-million grant for its historic Botanical Gardens.

Birmingham has been named the UK's first official Nature City in recognition of its efforts to improve access to green spaces and reconnect communities with the natural environment:

How drones are helping to save Critically Endangered Hawaiian birds In a race to protect several species of endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and members of the multi-agency Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) partnership have started using drones to combat deadly avian malaria, which is spread by non-native mosquitoes. This effort marks the first known instance of specialised mosquito pods being dropped by drones.

Conservationists are trying to save rare Hawaiian birds from extinction through the use of drones and mosquitos:

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Montagu's Harrier pair successfully breeds in England A pair of Montagu's Harrier, Britain’s rarest breeding bird, have successfully raised four chicks at a secret site in England, the first UK nesting success since 2019. Monitored by the RSPB and a farmer, the rare birds' return offers hope for the species' future in Britain.

A pair of Montagu's Harrier has bred at a secret location in England this summer, the RSPB has announced:

Patchwork Challenge 2025 update Jacob Spinks provides a detailed summary of the happenings in the 2025 Patchwork Challenge, a friendly competition for British and Irish patch birders.

Patchwork Challenge 2025 update

Jacob Spinks provides a detailed summary of the happenings in this year's Patchwork Challenge across Britain:

Mark Avery: spring clean Mark Avery reflects on a year of columns between May 2024 and May 2025 and sees whether there has been much, if any, action on the issues he has discussed.

Spring clean

Mark Avery reflects on a year of columns and sees whether there has been much, if any, action on the issues he has discussed: 

Spoon-billed Sandpipers observed at previously unknown breeding site Conservationists have been left stunned after a satellite-tagged Spoon-billed Sandpiper revealed a previously unknown breeding location for the species. The bird, known as 'K9', was first tracked to a mountainous area of the Russian Far East in June 2024, returning again there this summer. In July 2025, Russian scientists visited the remote area, which has never previously been surveyed, and found three nesting pairs.

Conservationists have been left stunned after confirming the nesting of Spoon-billed Sandpiper at a previously unknown location for the species:

Off-lead dogs damage Little Tern colony A colony of rare Little Terns on Norfolk's east coast has suffered after off-lead dogs attacked the birds, killing at least four chicks. The RSPB and Norfolk Police have issued urgent pleas to dog owners, warning of potential prosecution as the breeding season reaches its most critical stage.

Wardens and police have issued an urgent plea to dog owners after uncontrolled pets attacked a colony of Little Terns on the Norfolk coast, killing at least four chicks and endangering dozens more:

Spurn Migration Festival tickets are running out and this is the last place you can get them! 

Get yours for free and save £24 with a BirdGuides membership 

https://bit.ly/GoToSpurnForFree  

#birding #birdguides #birdwatching #birdwatch #birds #birdmigration #bird #migfest

Review of the Week: 21-27 July 2025 Seabirds continued to excite in the South-West, with an arrival of Nearctic waders and a Suffolk Black Stork adding further late July interest. Sam Viles reports.

Review of the Week: 21-27 July 2025

Seabirds continued to excite in the South-West, with an arrival of Nearctic waders and a Suffolk Black Stork adding further late July interest. Sam Viles reports:

Tony Marr: 1939-2025 Keith Betton pays tribute to Tony Marr, a legendary figure of British birding who recently passed away.

Tony Marr: 1939-2025

Keith Betton pays tribute to Tony Marr, a legendary figure of British birding who recently passed away:

UK Government urged to get biodiversity net gain back on track An open letter from industry leaders and environmental charities has been sent to the UK Government.

An open letter from industry leaders and environmental charities is has urged the UK Government to get Biodiversity Net Gain back on track across England:

How drones are helping to save Critically Endangered Hawaiian birds In a race to protect several species of endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and members of the multi-agency Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) partnership have started using drones to combat deadly avian malaria, which is spread by non-native mosquitoes. This effort marks the first known instance of specialised mosquito pods being dropped by drones.

Conservationists are trying to save rare Hawaiian birds from extinction through the use of drones and mosquitos:

British Ornithologists' Club seeks chairperson The 132-year-old British Ornithologists' Club is currently inviting applications for the role of Chair. If you are passionate about birds, communication and community-building within ornithology, the BOC would be delighted to hear from you.

The British Ornithologists' Club chairperson, Chris Storey, is retiring – and the club would like to hear from anyone interested in applying for the role:

This is the last place you can get Spurn Migration Festival tickets (and get them for FREE!)  

Join BirdGuides and get your free ticket: 

https://bit.ly/GoToSpurnForFree 


#birding #birdguides #birdwatching #birdwatch #birds #birdmigration #bird #migfest

The Birds of Needs Ore review

Whether you live in Hampshire or not, there is much to learn in this book, says Rob Hume: https://bit.ly/3UwhSEf