BirdTrack

1/6 Eight talks. Four evenings. 80 years of Spurn! 🎉 Join us online this November and December for stories of legendary birds, spectacular migration, science, conservation and the people behind the Observatory. Here’s what’s coming up 👇

After a slow start to October, recent easterly winds have boosted arrivals of Woodcock, coming from Russia, Fennoscandia and the Baltics. Unfortunately Woodcock are prone to colliding with buildings. If you find a dead Woodcock, please do report to BirdTrack or email woodcock@bto.org #ukbirding

The switch to northerlies turned on the birds this morning. Over 8100 Redwings, 340 Fieldfares, 288 Chaffinches, 34 Bramblings, a Woodlark and a variety of other migrants went over the Pinnacle, Sandy. Perhaps more of the same tomorrow. #vismig #BedsBirding

This weekend, 17-18 October, is the International Golden Plover Census. WeBS data will be included in the census, but if you see any flocks of Golden Plover away from wetlands and are able to record a count, we would be very grateful if you could enter this to BirdTrack. Photo: Liz Cutting / BTO

Last chance to apply! ➡️ www.bto.org/jobs If you're a communications professional with a passion for nature this could be the job for you! 🐦 #Ornithology

Do you have nature records in notebooks that you never look at and wonder what to do with? I've transcribed 10,000 records from the 1960-70s from a Welsh ornithological legend into @birdtrack.bsky.social and @cofnod.org.uk. And it was fascinating... #BirdingWales www.cofnod.org.uk/news/natural...

The departure of the Swallows and the return of the Meadow Pipits. Observations added to @birdtrack.bsky.social as "complete lists" through the app or browser version help us to map seasonal changes such as this. It's a nice, mindful way to feel connected to time and place! #ShropshireBirding

Great time at the Spurn Migration Festival over the weekend, in particular seeing hundreds of Pink-footed Geese heading south overhead. September and October are peak months for passage, with many of these birds heading to winter on the Norfolk coast #ukbirding Photo: Edmund Fellowes / BTO

The Birds of Fair Isle review This is a fitting tribute to a most hallowed of ornithological isles and will surely work its way on to the bookshelves of many birders, says Josh Jones: https://f.mtr.cool/7r6jqqywxd

Your support could make a difference to the future of birds you love. 🐦 We’ve partnered with expert Will writers Octopus Legacy to offer you the chance to write your Will for FREE ➡️ bit.ly/BTOWriteYour... This is a no obligation offer but we would be so grateful for your support. #RememberACharity

A spell of easterly winds last week led to the best week for Pied Flycatchers since early September 2024. Some great counts at east coast hotspots, but also lots of reports of birds further west #ukbirding

Wonderful news alert! 🎉 One of the UK’s rarest breeding birds has had a remarkable year. Montagu’s Harriers have successfully bred in the UK for the second year running, raising six youngsters from two nests at a secret farmland location. www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

One of the reasons I started using @birdtrack.bsky.social was to build up data on my #WestrayBirding such as this. Whilst I have a feel for this, with the app I can instantly see when and where I see a species here in Westray, adding a new dimension and understanding to my birding.

It might be the middle of summer, but there are always birds on the move! Check out our latest Migration Blog to find out what to look for while you're out and about this August. www.bto.org/our-work/new... @birdtrack.bsky.social 📷 Greenshank by Philip Croft/BTO

A decent arrival today with at least 80 Willow Warbler dotted about the recording area, however apart from a few more Reed Warblers there wasn't much mixed in with them. Overhead passage was reduced to just a handful each of Swallow and Yellow Wagtail. #kentbirding

Hiding Skylarks? One of the interesting things about keeping lists of birds you see and hear on your walks is that you appreciate the birds you miss. As in every July, Skylarks have 'disappeared' (while moulting?) Graph from @birdtrack.bsky.social (Britain & Ireland) @jengill.bsky.social

Have you booked your Migfest ticket yet? With over 90% of tickets now sold, we're approaching capacity. Don't leave it too late. 🎟️ buytickets.at/spurnbirdobs...

The influx of Quail has continued strongly over the last month. The latest weekly reporting rate of 2% is the highest recorded since BirdTrack began in 2004! #ukbirding

Latest survey reveals that Dotterel have declined by 89% since monitoring began in 1987/88 Dotterel's resilience to climate change could be supported through limiting disturbance by people and dogs, and managing grazing Read a summary: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... 🪶 🧪 @naturescot.bsky.social

NEW BLOG - enjoy some weekend reading on the results of the RSPB/BTO/NE national Heathland Bird Survey by Andy Stanbury of @rspbscience.bsky.social #ornithology #UKbirding @btobirds.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social rbbp.org.uk/2026/06/18/t...

Been to see the Western Reef Heron in Wales? BirdTrack has now been updated so this species will appear on your British year and life lists #ukbirding

Green Sandpiper seen by @sconebirding.bsky.social at BTO HQ in Thetford this morning - the start of autumn migration! Mid-June is a typical date for first returners from Fennoscandian breeding grounds, before autumn migration peaks in August #ukbirding Photo: Allan Drewitt / BTO

First sign of autumn? The @birdtrack.bsky.social graph for Black-tailed Godwit is about to kick upwards, as the first failed breeders return from Iceland, to join flocks of immatures on British & Irish estuaries. Learn more about wader migration: wadertales.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/w... #ornithology

Calling birders 16 and under! Join the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder Competition as part of MigFest at @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social! 📅 Competition date: Saturday 12 September 2026 📝 Applications close: Sunday 19 July 2026 🔗 Apply now: forms.gle/UD4SiVbjCJuk...

Could it be a Quail year? We've seen a big increase in reports of this elusive migrant gamebird in the last two weeks. Reports don't usually peak until late June, so it will be interesting to see whether the influx continues into the summer #ukbirding

The 2026 SMP Newsletter is here! Read it (and sign up to receive future editions) here: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... to find out about the SMP's 40th anniversary, latest developments, the science of seabird poo, and more! #birds #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Arctic-bound waders, cross-country Long-tailed Skuas and Fair Isle Bluethroats - find out about that and more in our latest migration blog #ukbirding www.bto.org/our-work/new... Bluethroat, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

Job alert! Apply via www.bto.org/jobs Are you passionate about birds with an interest in data and admin? We're looking for someone to join our Surveys Team and support UK bird surveys. 📆 Full time, Permanent. 📍 Thetford, Norfolk (Hybrid). 📝 £29,754 per annum. Closing date: Sunday 7 June

ANOTHER NEW BLOG! A quick guide to what information to submit to make your birding records as valuable as possible rbbp.org.uk/2026/05/15/w...

It's Temmminck's time! Far more spring records than autumn ones - as shown in this old @birdtrack.bsky.social graph. More about wader migration here: wadertales.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/w... @jocelyngould.bsky.social @gary-woodburn.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

It's Friday! It's BTO Migration Blog day! Find out what to keep an eye and ear open for this weekend and coming week and spring bird migration reaches its zenith➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... @birdtrack.bsky.social 📷Woodchat Shrike, by Philip Croft / BTO

Returned from holiday to find the first 2025 Bird Report from a Welsh county completed. 👏 Jon Green in #Pembrokeshire. Great to see it includes maps that draw on @birdtrack.bsky.social and #eBird records, produced by @btobirds.bsky.social. #BirdingWales pembsbirds.blogspot.com/p/the-annual...

A influx of Wood Sandpipers, flocks of Black Terns and a good number of Black-winged Stilts have graced many wetlands over the last week. Find out more about that and the rest of the latest migration news in this week's Migration Blog ⬇️ #ukbirding

Last week we talked about how to submit records of rare breeding birds. This week we move onto what those records should contain - the details - precise location, numbers, breeding evidence and so on - to make them as useful as possible for the work of the RBBP. youtu.be/HSl4RpMrT8k?...

Another early-morning vismig session paid off when 135 Arctic Terns, in 3 groups, flew north east past Severn Beach on their long migration. For me, witnessing their spectacular journey to the far north is the highlight of Spring on the Severnside patch. Pic: @migrationmatt.bsky.social #ukbirding

Check out the species to watch out for in our BirdTrack Migration Blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work... Bird migration continues to progress with many summer migrants now widespread, later arriving species starting to appear & the earliest arriving species already starting to nest. 🪺

By submitting records of rare breeding birds, you can help inform their conservation. Don’t know how to submit records? Don’t worry, here’s RBBP Secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social to tell you how youtu.be/MWNq_JM9cZU?... #UKbirding #ornithology #birds

MIGFEST TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!! A great start to Migfest 2026 ticket sales this morning – thanks to everyone who’s already booked on. Weekend tickets, masterclasses and BBQ already selling well. 🎟️ buytickets.at/spurnbirdobs...

At this time of year when I'm out birding I really try to make an effort to add breeding evidence to my records. It's really quick and easy in @birdtrack.bsky.social and adds value to my records, especially for @ukrbbp.bsky.social species. Added P for pair in suitable habitat. #ornithology

This is an excellent app from our partners at the SOC and includes latest sightings from BirdTrack at each site #ukbirding

Spring migration is hotting up after the warmer weather this week! Find out all about which spring specialities to keep your eyes peeled for in our latest blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... and don't forget to submit your sightings to @birdtrack.bsky.social 📷 Hoopoe by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

1/ The 2025 BBS Report is out now! It was a record year for volunteers taking part, with 2,800+ visiting 4,058 survey squares across the UK, Channel Islands & Isle of Man. A huge thank you to our volunteers! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

Eyes to the skies this Easter weekend! Spring migration is well underway, so learn about the latest arrivals, departures and what to look out for in our latest blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... Don't forget to submit your sightings to @birdtrack.bsky.social 📷 Willow Warbler by Allan Drewitt / BTO

A new record Sahara crossing 🪶 Ashok is not only the first of our tagged Cuckoos to reach Europe this year but his arrival is also the earliest ever date that one of our satellite-tagged birds has done so! He crossed the Sahara, reached Algeria, then crossed the Med & arrived in Spain on 25 March!

Discover migration highlights from @birdtrack.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/3NFG7jL Over the next two weeks the Blackcap’s flutey song will become a feature of woodlands and scrub, whereas the similar-sounding Garden Warbler won’t start arriving until the second half of April. 📷 Blackcap by Liz Cutting/BTO

Voting is open for BTO & Marsh Awards! 🎉 Vote now & celebrate an inspiring ornithologist ➡️ www.bto.org/medals-a... The Marsh Charitable Trust are supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust & presented by BTO at the Society of Wildlife Artists Natural Eye exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries.

Many Scottish Greenshank will have left English estuaries now, soon to be replaced by a pulse of passage birds heading further north. See @birdtrack.bsky.social graph below and this blog about Greenshank migration: wadertales.wordpress.com/2020/03/23/m... 🎂6️⃣ #BirdingScotland

Increasing reports of Chiffchaff to @birdtrack.bsky.social! Read more about spring arrivals in our latest migration blog ➡️ bit.ly/4so4XDX The weekly reporting rate in BirdTrack for Chiffchaff has risen from 4-6% during the winter to 41% in the most recent week! #Ornithology 📷 Liz Cutting / BTO