Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)

David White & James Heywood from the BBS Team have returned from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme Conference that took place today! If you would like to find out more about taking part in the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey on a BBS square, take a look here: www.bto.org/get-involved...

🎉 Just 2 days to go until the UKBMS 50th Anniversary Conference! 🦋✨

There's a great programme lined up - ukbms.org/sites/defaul... and we can't wait to welcome the volunteers, researchers and butterfly‑enthusiasts from across the UK.

Last chance to book www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-butterf...

That's great to hear Simon. It's very interesting to find out which species are present in BBS squares at other times of year. David W

Thanks Dawn. That is very kind of you!

At BTO we’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all staff and volunteers, as we work together for birds and nature. You can discover more on our website: www.bto.org/about/how/pr...

No worries, you are welcome. David W (BBS Team)

Here you go Dave: The habitat recording for WINBS is different to BBS, in that we are interested in the presence of certain features, mainly to do with farmland. These include stubbles, hedgerows etc. BBS volunteers collect general habitat data in spring, and so we don't need you to record that.

Firecrest and why this all matters.

(3/) At @bto.birds.bsky.social, in the conservation sector and in the birding world as a whole, there are many people who have ‘different neurotypes’, and I am only one of them. I do not consider myself to be special, I am just blessed with slightly different gifts than some other people.

Woodlark and text about lack of hand eye coordination.

(2/) My hand-eye coordination is terrible, I frequently transcribe letters when I write. However, thanks to my different neurotypes, I am confident performing in front of an audience. This helps me to deliver face to face training courses and Zoom sessions about BBS and BTO’s wider work.

David White saying that he is Dyslexic and Dyspraxic.

(1/) Hi, I’m David, and I help to run the BBS social media channels. This #DyslexiaAwarenessWeek, I am sharing something about myself, rather than the usual BBS posts, in order to raise awareness of my mild learning difficulties.

I'll send you a proper response tomorrow morning Dave, once I have spoken to a couple of colleagues. David W, BBS Team

Thanks for that feedback Dave. Which options were missing?

Moorhen.

(2/) Waterbird Breeding Bird Survey data shows a similar pattern for this species. It declined by 30% along linear waterways across the UK 1999–2023. Find out some of the possible reasons for this decline on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/ab...

Moorhen and trend graph.

(1/) This week, we focus on the widespread but secretive Moorhen. This member of the rail family declined by 25% across the UK 1995–2023. It has especially declined in northern and western parts of the UK. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience

Bullfinch and trend graph.

(4/) According to BBS data, the fruit loving Bullfinch declined by 15% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. You can find out more about the Wild Bird Indicators, including those for different habitats, on the Defra website: www.gov.uk/government/s...

Bullfinch and trend graph.

(3/) The colourful but shy Bullfinch began to decline across the UK in the mid-1970s. Find out some of the possible reasons for the decline of this distinctive finch species here: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #Ornithology #CitizenScience

Long-tailed Tit and trend graph.

(2/) The BBS trend for Long-tailed Tit shows a 12% increase across the UK between 1995 and 2023. If you would like to find out some of the possible reasons why this sociable species has increased in recent years, take a look at our BirdFacts page: www.bto.org/learn/about-...

Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch.

(1/) Two species that feature in the Woodland Wild Bird Indicators are Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch. Whereas Long-tailed Tit has increased by 91% across the UK since 1970, Bullfinch has declined by 53% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

Our first @btobirds.bsky.social Winter Bird Survey at Ludshott Common, Hampshire, today. Don't know if you can hear but there's a Woodlark singing his head off like it's the first day of Spring. Also Siskin, Redpoll, Crossbill, Dartford, Linnet and Stonechat in this one spot.

Graphic displays a Cormorant photographed by John Harding/BTO (left) and a Shag photographed by Liz Cutting/BTO (right). The species are labelled with their English and Latin names, Phalacrocorax carbo and Phalacrocorax aristotelis, respectively. Each image is labelled with key identifying features. For the Cormorant, these are: 'Heavy bill and a gradually sloped forehead', 'White chin', 'Blue sheen', 'White patch on thigh', and 'Variable amounts of white in the neck'. For the Shag, these are: 'Breeding crest', 'Green sheen', 'Lacks white in chin and neck', and 'Light bill and a steeply sloped forehead'. The Seabird Monitoring Programme logo is found in the bottom right hand corner. The caption reads: '1/ 1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side! In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'

1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side!

In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Image of a deceased Puffin lying on the ground. White wording on an orange background reads: Please report sightings of dead birds.

⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️

📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

Within the tile is an image of a Mallard in water with it's bottom in the air. There is the heading 'WeBS Counters Needed in Derbyshire!' and below this, 'Join the Wetland Bird Survey if you enjoy birdwatching and want to help monitor our vital wetland habitats. - Choose a vacant site near you or... - set up a brand new site! - Contribute to an ongoing national conservation project. - Beginners and seasoned birders welcome! - September to March is the core winter period for recording wetland birds! Get in touch with the Local Organisers at derbyshire.webs@gmail.com'. Below this is the WeBS logo and 'Can you help count waterbirds here? Join WeBS!'.

📢We are looking for new WeBS counters in Derbyshire!📢

View which vacant sectors need counters at bto.org/webs-vacant-sites or if you know of a local wetland that isn't mapped, get in touch with the Local Organisers at derbyshire.webs@gmail.com and we can set this up for you! 🌊

Turtle Dove and trend graph.

(4/) The BBS trend for Turtle Dove shows a similar story, with a 98% decline across the UK between 1995 and 2023. You can explore more about the Wild Bird Indicators, including those for other habitats, on this page: www.gov.uk/government/s...

Turtle Dove and trend graph.

(3/) The long-term decline of Turtle Dove across the UK really seemed to start in the late 1970s. Find out more about the possible reasons for the decline of this iconic species with its distinctive, purring song here: www.bto.org/learn/about-...

Stock Dove and trend graph.

(2/) The BBS trend for the subtly marked Stock Dove shows a 51% increase across the UK between 1995 and 2023. You can find out more about this often overlooked farmland bird on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/about-...

Images of Stock Dove and Turtle Dove.

(1/) The Wild Bird Indicators were recently updated. Whilst Stock Dove increased by 165% between 1970 and 2023 across the UK, Turtle Dove declined by 99% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience

Graphic displays a Black Guillemot photographed by Edmund Fellowes/BTO with a thought bubble extending from its head and the internal text 'Just one month to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP!'. The SMP logo is positioned in the top left hand corner. The caption reads: 'Yes, that's right! You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds'

Yes, that's right!
You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Goosander.

(2/) This species seems to be faring better along linear waterways across the UK. There was a 48% increase in this habitat between 1999 and 2023. Find out some of the possible reasons for these changes in population on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/ab...

Goosander and trend graph.

(1/) After we covered Tufted Duck last week, this week’s BBS trend is another diving duck: Goosander! This smart and elegant species declined by 17% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience

Completed visit one of the Winter Bird Survey on my @bbs-birds.bsky.social square in Thetford Forest. 28 species, plus 2 extra on the walk in (Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker). Highlight a singing Woodlark. Good to record a Bullfinch, only had 4 records in 32 years of BBS here!
#NorfolkBirding