RareBirdAlert

Europe's Buzzards Are Losing Their Colour Diversity New research suggests intermediate plumage is becoming dominant across the continent, reducing the striking variation long seen in Common Buzzards

Europe's Buzzards Are Losing Their Colour Diversity www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/E...

Finland's Eagle Owls boomed on landfill rats - and declined when the dumps closed A long-term study suggests decades of waste disposal unintentionally boosted the breeding success of Europe’s largest owl before modern recycling changed the food supply

Finland's Eagle Owls boomed on landfill rats - and declined when the dumps closed www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/F...

Spanish Little Swift numbers continue to rise Once a rarity in Europe, the population of Little Swifts in the Andalusian port of Chipiona is continuing to grow, highlighting the remarkable expansion of this African species into southern Spain

Spanish Little Swift numbers continue to rise www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/S...

New technique allows scientists to identify individual birds migrating at night Researchers using thermal imaging and photography have, for the first time, been able to directly observe and identify birds migrating through the night sky

New technique allows scientists to identify individual birds migrating at night www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/N...

Young birders offered rare chance to work at Fair Isle Bird Observatory New research reveals the scale of losses after a 2021 cold snap - and why increasingly unpredictable weather could pose growing risks for early-arriving migrants.

Young birders offered rare chance to work at Fair Isle Bird Observatory www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Y...

£4.6m Norfolk Wildlife Trust project will create 336-acre nature reserve Major habitat restoration project will transform farmland into wetlands and grassland for wildlife.

£4.6m Norfolk Wildlife Trust project will create 336-acre nature reserve www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/N...

Thousands of Purple Martins killed by 'Great Texas Freeze' New research reveals the scale of losses after a 2021 cold snap - and why increasingly unpredictable weather could pose growing risks for early-arriving migrants.

Thousands of Purple Martins killed by 'Great Texas Freeze'
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/T...

NatureScot premises vandalised as anti-guga hunt petition nears 100,000 signatures Graffiti opposing Western Isles tradition appears at Inverness HQ as Scottish Parliament petition calling for an end to the hunt gathers momentum

NatureScot premises vandalised as anti-guga hunt petition nears 100k signatures www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/N...

RSPB in race against time to halt 'rapid' erosion at Titchwell Marsh Charity launches £10,000 appeal after flooding delays vital work protecting salt marsh habitat on the north Norfolk coast

RSPB in race against time to halt 'rapid' erosion at Titchwell Marsh www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/R...

Italy's largest Red-footed Falcon colony reaches new record The country's biggest breeding population of Red-footed Falcons has grown again in 2025, setting a new high in northern Italy

Italy's largest Red-footed Falcon colony reaches new record www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/I...

Accidental discovery reveals grim future for Emperor Penguins www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/A...

Visitors asked to staying off the water at Muir of Dinnet to help breeding birds NatureScot urges people to avoid loch use during sensitive nesting season at the Deeside nature reserve

Visitors asked to staying off the water at Muir of Dinnet to help breeding birds www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/V...

EU declines full ban on lead ammunition despite 60,000 public submissions BirdLife says decision-makers ignored strong citizen backing for a complete phase-out of toxic shot

EU declines full ban on lead ammunition despite 60,000 public submissions www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/E...

Hotspots of accelerated North American bird decline linked to agricultural activity New analysis suggests cropland, fertiliser and pesticide intensity best match the geography of accelerating losses - even where warming explains the broad pattern of decline

Hotspots of accelerated North American bird decline linked to agricultural activity www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/H...

Weekly Birding Roundup 13-19 Feb
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/W...

Jon Dunn looks back on the best birdnews from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic.

Read it here www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/W...

Spectacled Eider set for release back into the Wadden Sea after rehabilitation Dutch wildlife carers say the rare sea duck is recovering well, with relocation judged safer than permanent captivity or a return to Alaska

Spectacled Eider set for release back into the Wadden Sea after rehabilitation
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/S...

BTO's Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme opens doors for the next generation of birders Free placements at UK bird observatories give young people hands-on experience in fieldwork, migration study and life at the sharp end of bird monitoring

BTO's Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme opens doors for the next generation of birders www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/B...

Hundreds of seabirds found dead around UK coasts after winter storms RSPB calls for urgent delivery of seabird protection measures as Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills among species reported in recent ‘wreck’

Hundreds of seabirds found dead around UK coasts after winter storms www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/H...

New funding boost set to safeguard wildlife on The Falklands’ New Island Investment will strengthen conservation work for globally important seabird colonies and restore fragile island habitats

New funding boost set to safeguard wildlife on The Falklands' New Island www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/N...

Global study finds human noise disrupts bird behaviour and breeding Global meta-analysis of 160 studies finds traffic, aircraft and industrial noise disrupt communication, increase stress and reduce reproductive success

Global study finds human noise disrupts bird behaviour and breeding www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/G...

Study finds 'common birds' are now smaller species than they were decades ago A global survey suggests the most commonly encountered birds are increasingly smaller-bodied species - a pattern consistent with a deepening avian extinction crisis

Study finds 'common birds' are now smaller species than they were decades ago www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/S...

Reedbed restoration brings Marsh Harrier back to breed in Scotland Targeted wetland improvements have created the dense, wet habitat this scarce raptor needs - and the birds have responded

Reedbed restoration brings Marsh Harrier back to breed in Scotland www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/R...

Weekly Birding Roundup 6-12 Feb
rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/W...

Our weekly look back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic.

Read it here rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/W...

New project launched to prevent Grenada Dove extinction University of Chester scientists working with conservation partners to secure the future of one of the world’s rarest birds

New project launched to prevent Grenada Dove extinction www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/N...

Beaver comeback accelerates with 100 releases scheduled for 2026 Natural History Museum highlights growing momentum behind Beaver restoration, with further releases expected under new government approach

Beaver comeback accelerates with 100 releases scheduled for 2026 www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/B...

Walrus seen in East Scotland in January BDMLR reveals Arctic visitor was present earlier in the year, with details released after initial monitoring

Walrus found in East Scotland in January www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/W...

Alpine Choughs caught eating droppings in winter-only survival strategy New study finds high-mountain corvids regularly consume their own and other birds’ droppings during winter food shortages

Alpine Choughs caught eating droppings in winter-only survival strategy www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/A...

Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders Police appeal for information after injured eagle discovered in the Borders, while Golden Eagle Project shares recovery progress of rehabilitated bird

Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/G...

Dunlin breeding success recorded in Cumbrian uplands First coordinated survey across the Cumbrian North Pennines records breeding birds at multiple sites, offering fresh evidence for upland recovery work

Dunlin breeding success recorded in Cumbrian uplands www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/D...

50% rise in lekking Capercaillie at Abernethy over five years RSPB records 30 lekking male Capercaillie at Abernethy in 2025 - a 50% increase since 2020 - as new habitat techniques are trialled to help halt national decline

50% rise in lekking Capercaillie at Abernethy over five years www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/5...