Josh Sollitt

A flock of Bewick's Swans by Ben Cherry/WWT

📉 Our new paper shows Bewick’s Swan numbers in NW/NE Europe have fallen to ~12,900 birds - a 56.7% decline since 1995, with further losses predicted by 2026 unless survival or breeding success improves. Flyway-wide conservation is urgent. 🦢 Download paper > tidsskrift.dk/Wildfowl/art... #Ornithology

Another Hen Harrier suspected illegally killed on a grouse moor Screenshot from Facebook.

A comment on Facebook about raptors. Brace yourself. ‘Good riddance, far too many predators and raptors, spreading where they are not wanted. We have had to put our small bird feeders under a sheet of plate glass or the raptors would take them all’. Give me strength.

#NatureLoversOnFacebook

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have another one. #birds

Comment no 3

A male hen harrier sat in heather

A bright blue tile with an RSPB Scotland logo and a quote saying “We are delighted at the closure of a loophole in legislation that governs grouse shooting. During scrutiny of the Natural Environment Bill, the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee gave decisive support to a Scottish Government amendment. If the amended legislation is supported by the wider Parliament next year, it will restore the meaningful deterrent to the illegal killing of birds of prey that was originally intended by the Scottish Parliament in their passing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act. It will now recognise that, in some cases, a wildlife crime offence which happens away from a licenced area may “support or benefit the activities permitted by the licence” – that is grouse shoot management – as well as allowing consideration of “relevant offences”. NatureScot could then consider such offenses with respect to the suspension or revocation of a grouse shooting licence.”

🎉The good news just keeps coming!

Late last night, MSPs voted in favour of using the Natural Environment Bill to close an unintended loophole in legislation to licence grouse moor shooting.

This is a major step forward in protecting Scotland’s wildlife.

Full quote in image 👇

📷: Andy Hay

This is MSP John Mason. He supports the Guga hunt (bludgeoning of Gannet chicks for tradition) as long as the population is stable or increasing. Don't be like John.

Another Hen Harrier suspected illegally killed on a grouse moor, her satellite tag had been ‘removed’ Over the last few weeks I’ve blogged about a number of illegally-killed Hen Harriers whose deaths have been barely publicised by the authorities, but instead have been quietly entered onto a …

Another Hen Harrier suspected illegally killed on a grouse moor, her satellite tag had been 'removed'.

Details and commentary ⬇️⬇️

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/11/a...

At Avian Haven, most eagles admitted show some level of lead exposure linked to fragments from lead ammo. Sadly, Avian Haven recently lost a golden eagle to extreme lead levels, underscoring the ongoing risk. Officials in Maine are urging a shift to lead-free ammo.

#eagleconservation #hunting

Peregrine found with shotgun injuries in Peak District National Park Derbyshire Police Rural Crime Team posted the following on Facebook on 3 December 2025: WILDLIFE CRIME AWARENESS – INJURED PEREGRINE Between 01/09/25 – 08/09/25, we received a report from the…

Derbyshire Constabulary appeals for information 3 months later.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/07/p...

"Tek your time over it, lad, we don't want to embarrass his lordship with a prosecution."

Wisdom the Laysan Albatross returns to nest at Midway Atoll The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season. 'Wisdom', a female Laysan Albatross, has reoccupied her regular nest site and is now preparing for another chance at parenthood. Wisdom was at least five years old when ringed in 1956, putting her age at approximately 75 years old.

The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season:

Eyebrook Reservoir 07/12/25

Great to catch up with a pair of Smew on Sunday. Also managed to dig out 6 Greater Scaup among the hundreds of Tufted Ducks. Also, 40+ Golden Plover, 250+ Lapwing, Great Egret, 3 Little Egret & a Kestrel

@lrosbirds.bsky.social

This is a fantastic site, and well worth supporting if you are able. As good as it is (& I’ve been watching it for c25 years) it has the potential to be even better with appropriate management. A great opportunity for nature recovery in this intensively farmed county #lincsbirding

Historic: Criminal Charges Filed in the Faroes For the first time in history, Faroese police have filed criminal charges against grind whalers — halting hunts in the northern islands after Sea Shepherd’s evidence proved dozens of pilot whales were...

seashepherd.org/2025/12/04/h...

Hi all, the next Leicester Peregrines watch will be on Tuesday 9th December weather permitting. Come and say hello to the group at the Leicester Cathedral gardens from 9.30am to 12.30 as usual @lrosbirds.bsky.social #ukbirding #peregrines #leicester

Scientists slam Canada-US proposal to lower trade protections for peregrine falcons The crow-sized, slate-blue-backed peregrine falcon, with its bright yellow feet, soars across the skies from Greenland’s Arctic tundra to the steppe plains of Patagonia in South America. Falco peregri...

Scientists slam Canada-US proposal to lower trade protections for peregrine falcons
#RaptorResearch
news.mongabay.com/2025/11/scie...

High levels of ‘forever chemical’ found in cereal products across Europe – study Pesticide Action Network Europe study finds average concentrations 100 times higher than in tap water

“The highest levels were found in Irish breakfast cereal, followed by Belgian wholemeal bread, then German wholemeal bread, then French baguette. It was found across a huge range of products, from spaghetti, to cheese scones and ginger bread.” 🥖

Attempt to downlist conservation status of Peregrine Falcons (to allow international trade) is thwarted at CITES conference To the relief of many raptor conservationists, a proposal to downlist the Peregrine Falcon from Appendix 1 to Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which w…

Attempt to downlist conservation status of Peregrine Falcons to allow international trade is thwarted at CITES Conference. #CITESCoP20

Good news for Peregrines, but not sure why UK voted to support this proposal!

#RaptorResearch

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/04/a...

Hen Harrier found poisoned on a grouse moor in North Yorkshire I’ve blogged recently about a number of illegally-killed Hen Harriers whose deaths have not been publicised by the authorities (Hen Harrier ‘Susie’ who was found dead with gunshot…

Hen Harrier found poisoned on a grouse moor in North Yorkshire.

Once again, details have only come to light through scrutiny of a spreadsheet - where's the publicity from the Police? This is supposed to be a national wildlife crime priority!

#RaptorResearch

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/01/h...

Have had the ringing details on the Pied Flycatcher back from @btobirds.bsky.social.
It was ringed as an adult female on 20th May 2024 at Afon Artro, Gwynedd, 155 km NNW of Glebelands Park.
#gwentbirding #birdingWales

More detail on Natural England’s decision to close Hen Harrier Southern Reintroduction Project Back in September, Natural England announced its decision to end its controversial plan to ‘reintroduce’ Hen Harriers to southern England (see here). The decision was widely welcomed by…

More detail on Natural England's decision to close its Hen Harrier Southern Reintroduction Project (& a discussion on how much public funding has been wasted on this pointless project).

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/02/m...

Goshawk dies from gunshot injuries in Aberdeenshire – Police Scotland appeals for information Press release from Police Scotland (1 December 2025): APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER BIRD OF PREY SHOT IN ABERDEENSHIRE Officers are appealing for information after a bird of prey was shot in Aberdee…

Goshawk dies from gunshot injuries in Aberdeenshire. Police Scotland appeals for information.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/01/g...

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save one of the largest areas of grassland left in Lincolnshire. Can you help us purchase and protect Hawthorpe for nature before it is ploughed and lost forever?
Find out more: lincstrust.org.uk/hawthorpe-appeal

Camera-trap record extends Asian Golden Cat's known range 400 km westward A camera-trap photograph from Nepal's Jajarkot district has extended the known range of the Asian Golden Cat by nearly 400 km, yet the species is now classed as Vulnerable owing to mounting threats including habitat loss, snaring and retaliatory killing. Conservationists are calling for more dedicated research, greater community engagement and better protection measures to ensure the survival of this elusive medium-sized wild cat.

A single camera-trap image captured in Nepal's has dramatically expanded the known western range of Asian Golden Cat by nearly 400 km:

Prolonged heatwave devastates Italian Lesser Kestrel colony The events in 2021 highlight the concerning impacts of climate change in the Mediterranean.

Fears have been expressed for Lesser Kestrel populations in the Mediterranean after an intense heatwave killed the majority of chicks at an Italian colony:

A peregrine perched on a rocky crag with autumnal woodland in the background.

The first specific, National Park-wide survey of peregrine falcons in 20 years has revealed a continuing downward trend in numbers.

Read more here ➡️ https://bit.ly/44jcee0

📷 Fergus Gill

Path cleared for wildcat comeback in south-west England A new two-year feasibility study by the South West Wildcat Project shows that European Wildcats could be reintroduced to South West England after more than a century. With suitable habitat, strong public support and minimal ecological risk, the report marks an important step towards restoring the UK's most endangered mammal. Challenges such as hybridisation and community engagement remain, but conservationists say the study provides a solid foundation for future plans.

A major new feasibility study has concluded that European Wildcats could roam south-west England, more than a century after the species vanished from the region:

Corncrake on a cruise ship

Even consummate migrants like Corncrakes can end up being ship-assisted, although presumably being adopted by a family and fed prawns is a rarer occurrence.... #UKBirding #Ornithology
www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/2563328...

Didactic video featuring two species which have declined catastrophically due to disease transfer at feeding stations. Birds infected with Trichomonas struggle to eat and will drop food items from their beaks, which are then eaten by healthy birds, hence RSPB no longer sells table feeders #UKBirding

Ring on a dead Whooper Swan. Photo by David Tough

Ring on a dead Whooper Swan. Photo by David Tough

Advice from BTO on checking a dead bird for rings

We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.

Arun Valley, West Sussex - 85 Species

Highlights: WT Eagle (adult pair with kill), Peregrine 2, Hen Harrier 3 (1m, 2rt), Marsh Harrier 6, Firecrest, L Redpoll 40, Crossbill, Bullfinch 6, Goosander, Mandarin 2, Ruff 2, Dunlin, BT Godwit 106, GW Egret & Cattle Egret 50+

@sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Hard agree. Incredible that you can routinely drive in winter from Grantham to Norwich now and not see a single flock. It is increasingly becoming a bird of reserves and not the wider countryside, even in winter #UKBirding