BirdGuides

Seven vultures killed in poisoning incident in Bulgaria Seven vultures have been found dead in Bulgaria in an illegal-poisoning incident, dealing a serious blow to efforts to restore populations in the Balkans and highlighting the continuing threat posed by illegal poisoning to birds of prey.

Seven vultures have been found dead in Bulgaria in an illegal-poisoning incident, dealing a serious blow to efforts to restore populations in the Balkans:

Aquatic Warbler population hits historic low – but hope persists Conservationists working to save the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler reported encouraging developments following the 2025 breeding season, including a record number of singing males in Lithuania and expanded habitat and translocation initiatives across Europe. However, in 2025, the estimated global population dropped to 4,000-5,000 singing males – thought to be a historic low.

Conservationists working to save the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler reported encouraging developments following the 2025 breeding season, although the estimated population dropped to 4,000-5,000 singing males:

Ambitious Dalmatian Pelican reintroduction plans weighed up A panel is assessing whether Dalmatian Pelican could be reintroduced to British wetlands, a prospect that excites some conservationists but raises practical and ecological questions over habitat suitability and long-term viability.

Conservation groups are exploring whether Dalmatian Pelican – a species extinct in Britain for millennia – could be reintroduced to British wetlands, in what would be one of the most ambitious rewilding projects proposed in recent years:

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With more than 150 illustrations, including unique maps, charts and colour photographs, The Marsh Tit and The Willow Tit brings together a wealth of information surrounding these fascinating species.

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Review of the Week: 2-8 February 2026 Ed Stubbs reports on the latest sightings from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic in the week of 2-8 February 2026. The latest Russian White-fronted Goose influx of the winter produced some staggering counts, while Fife boasted a brief Walrus and some rare scoter.

Review of the Week: 2-8 February 2026

The latest Russian White-fronted Goose influx of the winter produced some staggering counts, while Fife boasted a brief Walrus and some rare scoter. Ed Stubbs reports:

Photo of the Week: 2-8 February 2026 Cohen Garwood wins BirdGuides Photo of the Week for 2-8 February 2026 with his impressive image of a Great Cormorant swallowing a Northern Pike.

Cohen Garwood wins Photo of the Week for his impressive image of a Great Cormorant swallowing a Northern Pike:

Slender-billed Curlew: shorebird lost forever Three decades on from the last documented sighting, Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct a year ago. Arnoud van den Berg reflects on his experiences with this iconic bird at its final known winter refuge.

Three decades on from the last documented sighting, Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct a year ago. Arnoud van den Berg reflects on his experiences with this iconic bird at its final known winter refuge:

Gamekeeper convicted in landmark Hen Harrier persecution case On 29 January at York Magistrates' Court, Racster Dingwall pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill a Hen Harrier on Grassington Moor in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

A head gamekeeper has been convicted for attempting to kill a Hen Harrier, marking a rare legal success in tackling wildlife crime:

Siberian Tit likely extirpated from North America An article in Birding magazine explores why Siberian Tit – long recorded in Alaska and north-west Canada – may now be lost from the ABA list, highlighting habitat change, competition and decades without confirmed sightings.

An article published in the journal of the American Birding Association has raised the possibility that Siberian Tit may now be extirpated from North America:

"If birds left tracks in the sky, what would they look like?” That was the simple question that planted the seed for this complex work that combines nature, art and technology.

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Worrying drop noted in Norwegian farmland bird populations Long-term monitoring in Norway reveals that bird species associated with agricultural landscapes have declined significantly over the past two decades, mirroring wider European trends and raising concerns about habitat loss and land-use change.

Norway's farmland birds have undergone a sustained decline over the past two decades, according to long-term monitoring data that mirrors broader trends seen across Europe:

University research aims to save Critically Endangered dove With some 160 mature individuals remaining, Grenada Dove is one of the world's rarest birds.

A team from the University of Chester has been conducting vital research in efforts to save one of the world's rarest birds from extinction:

Survey reveals breeding Dunlin holding on in the Pennines A pioneering RSPB-led survey has confirmed that Dunlin are still breeding across parts of the North Pennines, revealing previously unknown strongholds and offering new hope for this declining upland wader.

A landmark survey has confirmed that Dunlin is still breeding across large areas of suitable habitat in the North Pennines, offering renewed optimism for the species' future as a breeding bird in England:

Ambitious Dalmatian Pelican reintroduction plans weighed up A panel is assessing whether Dalmatian Pelican could be reintroduced to British wetlands, a prospect that excites some conservationists but raises practical and ecological questions over habitat suitability and long-term viability.

Conservation groups are exploring whether Dalmatian Pelican – a species extinct in Britain for millennia – could be reintroduced to British wetlands, in what would be one of the most ambitious rewilding projects proposed in recent years:

Polar Bears in Svalbard fatter and in good condition despite sea-ice loss A long-term study of Polar Bears in the Norwegian Arctic shows that, despite dramatic sea-ice declines, individuals around Svalbard are currently maintaining or improving their body condition – a surprising local trend that does not negate broader threats to the species.

New research based on decades of monitoring in Svalbard reveals that Polar Bears in this part of the Barents Sea archipelago are maintaining strong body condition despite rapid sea-ice loss:

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Swift Parrot faces habitat loss at each end of its annual migration David Waugh summarises the findings of two key studies into the Critically Endangered Swift Parrot, highlighting ongoing threats from deforestation and introduced predators.

David Waugh summarises the findings of two key studies surrounding the Critically Endangered Swift Parrot:

Review of the Week: 2-8 February 2026 Ed Stubbs reports on the latest sightings from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic in the week of 2-8 February 2026. The latest Russian White-fronted Goose influx of the winter produced some staggering counts, while Fife boasted a brief Walrus and some rare scoter.

Review of the Week: 2-8 February 2026

The latest Russian White-fronted Goose influx of the winter produced some staggering counts, while Fife boasted a brief Walrus and some rare scoter. Ed Stubbs reports:

Photo of the Week: 2-8 February 2026 Cohen Garwood wins BirdGuides Photo of the Week for 2-8 February 2026 with his impressive image of a Great Cormorant swallowing a Northern Pike.

Cohen Garwood wins Photo of the Week for his impressive image of a Great Cormorant swallowing a Northern Pike:

Siberian Tit likely extirpated from North America An article in Birding magazine explores why Siberian Tit – long recorded in Alaska and north-west Canada – may now be lost from the ABA list, highlighting habitat change, competition and decades without confirmed sightings.

An article published in the journal of the American Birding Association has raised the possibility that Siberian Tit may now be extirpated from North America:

Rusty Bush Lark seen for first time in 94 years Rusty Bush Lark – a poorly known bird from the Sahel region of Africa – has been seen definitively for the first time since 1931, with the first-ever photos of the species taken.

Rusty Bush Lark – a poorly-known bird from the Sahel region of Africa – has been seen definitively for the first time since 1931, with the first-ever photos of the species taken:

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Native trees key to more woodland bird chicks A global synthesis of decades of research suggests that woodlands dominated by native tree species support higher numbers of breeding birds and more fledged chicks than forests with a high proportion of non-native trees.

Woodland birds produce more fledged chicks in forests dominated by native tree species than in those with a high proportion of non-native trees, according to a major new global study:

Worrying drop noted in Norwegian farmland bird populations Long-term monitoring in Norway reveals that bird species associated with agricultural landscapes have declined significantly over the past two decades, mirroring wider European trends and raising concerns about habitat loss and land-use change.

Norway's farmland birds have undergone a sustained decline over the past two decades, according to long-term monitoring data that mirrors broader trends seen across Europe:

University research aims to save Critically Endangered dove With some 160 mature individuals remaining, Grenada Dove is one of the world's rarest birds.

A team from the University of Chester has been conducting vital research in efforts to save one of the world's rarest birds from extinction:

Polar Bears in Svalbard fatter and in good condition despite sea-ice loss A long-term study of Polar Bears in the Norwegian Arctic shows that, despite dramatic sea-ice declines, individuals around Svalbard are currently maintaining or improving their body condition – a surprising local trend that does not negate broader threats to the species.

New research based on decades of monitoring in Svalbard reveals that Polar Bears in this part of the Barents Sea archipelago are maintaining strong body condition despite rapid sea-ice loss:

Survey reveals breeding Dunlin holding on in the Pennines A pioneering RSPB-led survey has confirmed that Dunlin are still breeding across parts of the North Pennines, revealing previously unknown strongholds and offering new hope for this declining upland wader.

A landmark survey has confirmed that Dunlin is still breeding across large areas of suitable habitat in the North Pennines, offering renewed optimism for the species' future as a breeding bird in England:

Spring birding along the coast and woodlands of South Wales.

This five‑day tour combines seawatching, wetlands and woodland birding, with chances of Chough, Red Kite, Pied Flycatcher and more.

Book here: https://bit.ly/4pBm43B

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Going to Global BirdFair?

New members to BirdGuides or Birdwatch can attend for free with a day ticket worth £20.

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