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Reposted by BTO Northern Ireland

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

(1/) The chattering Reed Warbler is frequently found along reed fringed waterways. It declined by 5% in this habitat 1999–2024. However, the BBS trend shows that this species is on the increase across the UK. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

A Reed Warbler is shown. It is perched on a branch. It is a small brown warbler species with a pale chest.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

BTO Youth are advertising for new Youth Representative roles and Youth Advisory Panel members! 🦆 Find out more and apply here ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/youth Deadline for applications: 4th October and 8th November.

Image of a young person talking to a group in a woodland environment. There is a QR code in the top right corner. Text reads, 'BTO Youth. Become a BTO Youth Rep! Scan the QR code to find out more and apply'.

Selfie image of a group of young people sitting around a table. There is a QR code in the top right corner. Text reads, 'BTO Youth. Join our Youth Advisory Panel! Scan the QR code to find out more and apply'.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

✨ New Project Alert ✨ We’re working on a new partnership project looking at Curlew chick survival, key predation pressures & interventions in relation to population recovery. Your donation could support our work to restore breeding wader populations ➡️ www.bto.org/breeding... #Ornithology

A wading bird known as a Curlew is amongst green grass showing its brown mottled plumage and long decurved bill. Wording above reads: Support BTO's work with breeding waders.

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UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Fulmar - the highest recorded species in SMP for 2024, 2025, and 2026 (so far). Young Fulmar don't return to breeding sites until they are four or five, and even then, don't breed until they're nine! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

An image of a Fulmar with an accompanying fact file covering their wingspan (100-112cm), life expectancy for a bird reaching breeding age (44), diet (mainly fish but also crustaceans and squid), lays 1 egg, can be seen year round (though most frequently during the breeding season), and 350,000 breeding pairs.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Dream job for an #editor & nature lover! 🐦🌿Apply now ➡️ www.bto.org/jobs 📅 Full time, Permanent. 📝 £38,710.00 per annum. 📍 BTO HQ in Thetford, Norfolk (Hybrid working). Deadline for applications: 30 September 2026. #Ornithology

A Nightingale perches on a branch amongst the green foliage of a bush. Wording over the image reads: We're hiring! Science Communications Manager.

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BTO Cymru @btocymru.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

BTO Youth's first Youth Out in Nature Summit, with RSPB Youth Council, will be taking place at RSPB Newport Wetlands! Book a space for FREE ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/eve... Open to young people aged 14–25! Enjoy activities from bird walks to fungi ID and nature journaling. 🪶 @rspbcymru.bsky.social

A group of young people look into the distance of a nature reserve, some using binoculars. Wording above reads: Youth Out in Nature Summit. Saturday 26th September. 10am-4pm. Free entry. bto.org/youth-events RSPB & BTO Youth logos feature.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

We would love to see lots of NI's coast being surveyed this winter!

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Jemma and Esther were out doing some Autumn Birding events at the weekend: First up, in Kilkeel on Saturday afternoon. Bird highlights included Guillemot, Ringed Plover, and Stonechat.

Birdwatchers using binoculars and scopes to look at birds in Kilkeel

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The latest issue of BTO News has just landed! Our membership magazine is packed with engaging and informative articles, with all the latest updates on BTO research, events and more. Become a BTO member today from only £3 a month to start receiving BTO News! ➡️ www.bto.org/support-... #Ornithology

A cut out of the BTO News autumn 2026 magazine cover featuring a Common Crane sits on a green background. White writing over the green background reads: "It's a joy to receive each copy!" Quote from a BTO member. Join Today.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

(1/) John Gibson’s story of 26 years of change on a BBS square in the Wigan area of Northwest England shows just how much can change during that time period. It used to be a coal mine, and now it is home to Willow Tits and many other species: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social

A Willow Tit is shown. It has a brown body, white cheeks and a black cap. It is perched on a branch. The caption says: 'Volunteer Stories'.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Were you out doing a @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count over the weekend? Did you see anything of note? Jemma had to decide whether she was looking at Tufted Duck or Scaup at her WeBS site in Co. Antrim. It was a tricky call but she landed on Tufted Duck in the end. IDing diving ducks can be tricky!

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UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Razorbill — perhaps one of our most striking seabirds! Take a look at the post below to find out more about this cliff-nesting species. #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Image of a Razorbill with an accompanying species fact file which highlights wingspan (60 - 69cm), maximum age (41 years), diet (fish), number of eggs (1), when to see (year-round), and number of pairs in Britain and Northern Ireland (165,000).

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

We're seeking a Research Ecologist to develop & apply methods for analysing large-scale passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) datasets & to lead work on the collection/analysis of restoration & rewilding data. Apply via www.bto.org/jobs Closing date: 22 September. #Ornithology #bioacoustics

The heads of two Puffins appear above a bank. Wording above reads: We're hiring! Senior Research Ecologist: Landscape Restoration & Monitoring Science.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Patrick's event is taking place at Oxford Island on Saturday and there's still time to sign up! www.bto.org/youth-events

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Birds seen from the BTO NI office! 🐦‍⬛ Do you have a window with a vantage point over a greenspace too? Why not sign up to the BTO's Garden Birdwatch Survey and record some birds from the comfort of a window? Find out more here: www.bto.org/get-involved... Photos by Leia Giesel

A Woodpigeon sat on a tree branch with leaves in the background.

A Blackbird sat on a tree branch with sky and leaves in the background.

A Mistle Thrush in a tree with leaves and branch in background.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The latest UK butterfly indicators have recently been published. Data from volunteers who take part in the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey on their BBS squares is included in this, so if you are one of them, thank you very much for your time and effort! @btobirds.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A huge thank-you to everyone who got involved with counting Black Guillemots this year! The data will feed into the All Island Black Guillemot Survey, which is a partnership between BTO NI and @npwsireland.bsky.social in the Republic of Ireland.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Join BTO Youth in our ‘The Waterbirds of Oxford Island’ event at Oxford Island Nature Reserve, Co. Armagh, Sat 5th Sept. Learn how to identify common birds found around waterbodies, with fun ID games and a walk around the reserve. Follow the link for more info and to sign up: BTO.ORG/YOUTH-EVENTS

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

This week, @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social are putting Barn Owls into the spotlight. 🦉 Have you seen a Barn Owl? Every sighting counts! bit.ly/4fUn6p9 With fewer than 30 breeding pairs left in Northern Ireland, Barn Owls are one of our rarest breeding birds.

Barn Owl Watch Week poster by Ulster Wildlife, including a photo of a Barn Owl by David Tipling

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

BTO NI's Esther is also on the BTO Youth Advisory Panel so is involved with organising this exciting event for young people! If you know a young person based in NI who is interested in attending, get in touch with the BTO NI team as we can share some suggested travel options.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

For some people, a story resonates with them much more than data or a report. Help us to share the joy of getting involved with BBS by telling us about your experiences. You might just inspire someone to get involved!

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Thank you very much to those of you who have already entered your BBS data, it is very much appreciated! If you haven’t already done so, please enter it by the end of August at the latest so it can be verified. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

The caption says: 'Two weeks to go!' A male Blackbird features, which is mainly black with a yellow beak.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

We're pleased to share that booking is now open for our annual conference! 📍Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island 📅Saturday 7th November 💷£25 (concession prices available) Keep an eye on our website in the coming weeks for the full line-up of speakers.

Birdwatchers' Conference poster including image of a Swift by Philip Croft / BTO

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

You've done the hard bit already, don't forget to get your data in so we can use it to find out how our birds are doing!

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

As we head to the beach for the summer, why not get familiar with some of the seabirds you can see around Northern Ireland's coastline? Check out the following posts for some ID tips!

A photo of a Kittiwake in flight with labelled features that read: black eye; grey back; black wingtips; black legs and, yellow bill.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

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 Greenshank walks right in the water, photo by Philip Croft/BTO.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Job alert! Could you be our next Philanthropy Manager? For further info➡️ britishtrustforornithology.postingpanda.uk/job/925685 Applications by 23:59 on 26 August please. #ConservationJobs

A male Pied Flycatcher (photo by Edmund Fellowes/BTO) perched on a log covered in lichen, with the words 'We're hiring! Philanthropy Manager - Major Donors' written above.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Seven* of our satellite tagged Cuckoos are south of the Sahara, having made epic migrations from Europe! *Actually, make that eight - Irish bird Brock has 'reappeared' & his signal shows that he is in Chad. Find out more, & follow the Cuckoos' progress: ➡️ www.bto.org/cuckoos #birds #ukbirding

Image shows a map depicting the locations of seven satellite tagged Cuckoos, having completed their migratory flights across the Sahara desert.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

We're looking forward to running this online event in September! Join us if you're NI-based and interested in finding out more about the Wetland Bird Survey and Non-Estuarine Waterbird Survey. bit.ly/BTONI-events

Counting Northern Ireland's Wetland Birds poster including two Mallards photographed by Edmund Fellowes.
bit.ly/BTONI-events

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

1/ A major new global review published in @natrevbiodiv.nature.com, featuring BTO authors CEO @julietvickery.bsky.social & Senior Research Ecologist Chris Hewson, finds that 51% of the world’s migratory bird species are declining! #Ornithology 🌍🌐 📖 www.bto.org/MigratoryBir...

A Swallow perches on the tip of a branch showing its blue-black upperparts, pointed wings, long tail, red-brown face and white underparts. White wording over a blue background reads: New study finds 51% of the world’s migratory bird species are declining.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

We have been back to collect cameras deployed around Lough Neagh at the beginning of the breeding season. Resultant footage will help to further understand nesting behaviour of Lough Neagh's breeding wild duck population and the challenges they're facing. Watch this space for what our cameras find!

Image of a camera trap. It is a rectangular box in a camouflaged pattern attached to a post. You can see the lenses on it and it is hidden within some reeds.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

We enjoy working in partnership with a range of organisations, including Woodland Trust. This morning, Hala, Esther & Jemma visited a couple of Woodland Trust sites in the North West to talk with the team there about how we can work together for nature through our science and engagement efforts.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Romelly has joined the BTO NI team for the summer to gather data for her undergrad dissertation investigating public perceptions of urban gulls. If you live in Northern Ireland, we'd really appreciate it if you would consider filling out this survey to help with the research. bit.ly/NIUrbanGulls

Urban Gull Survey poster - bit.ly/NIUrbanGulls

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Listen to ‘A is for Auk’ on the BTO podcast, Beyond The Bird Table! Join us as we delve into the world of seabirds with ornithologist, writer & broadcaster, Prof Tim Birkhead & Senior Research Ecologist with BTO Scotland, Dr Nina O’Hanlon #Birds #UKBirding

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Our team are working on the ACCLIMATISE Project, researching how climate change is affecting seabirds. This includes ringing and GPS tagging Kittiwakes in Northern Ireland which can then be monitored to gather information on breeding productivity and foraging habits.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Cuckoos are go! BTO satellite tagged Cuckoos are well on their way to the forests of Central Africa. Two have already crossed the Sahara while our most northerly bird is Bean, who's in Germany. Follow their progress: www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking getbird.ing

Image shows a map depicting the current location of satellite tagged Cuckoos, along with photos of three Cuckoos. The caption 'Cuckoos are go!' is placed on the image, and refers to the fact that these birds are in the process of migrating south to Africa. This is part of BTO's Cuckoo Tracking Project.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

We're so excited about this! Head to our Cuckoo Tracking page to find out more about Bean the Cuckoo, currently making his way south through Central Europe. You can even sponsor Bean and other satellite tagged Cuckoos! www.bto.org/get-involved... Get Birding Podcast: getbird.ing #Birds #Birding

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Thanks to everyone in NI who helped out with BBS this year, make sure and get your data submitted before the end of next month!

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Can you deliver an accessible, inclusive and engaging logo design for a new citizen science project? With a prize of £1,500 for the winning design and deadline of midnight on Sunday 9 August 2026. Find out more bit.ly/birdatlaslogo

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

(1/) As the 2026 BBS & WBBS survey season draws to a close, we would like to share our newly updated BBS Volunteer Stories page: www.bto.org/get-involved... If you would like to share your experience of surveying a square or stretch, please email us on bbs@bto.org! @btobirds.bsky.social

The caption says: 'Tell us your stories!' A Kingfisher is pictured. It is perched on a post. It has an orange breast and a black beak. It also has a blue beak.

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UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

The first 2026 Breeding Success records have been submitted to SMP! These include positive records for Common Tern and Black-headed Gull. We look forward to seeing more records as the season advances. Don't forget to submit yours! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Dream job alert 🎉 Are you a talented videographer with a passion for nature? Join our team! Apply online ➡️ www.bto.org/jobs 📆 Full time. 📝 £33,954 per annum. 📍 Thetford, Norfolk (Hybrid). ⚠️ Application deadline: 5 July.

Puffins gather on the top of a rockface. Wording above reads: We're hiring! Digital Communications Officer (Videographer).

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Here at BTO, we are in the middle of Green Travel Month. Staff are being encouraged to consider the way they commute, and choose public or active transport methods instead of travelling by car. We're keeping a note of the miles that we cover in June to see if we can reach our goal 🏆

Poster outlining some green travel options: walking, cycling, taking the train, travelling by bus, travelling by ferry.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Andrew, Head of BTO NI, joined the launch of the Northern Ireland Seabird Conservation Strategy on Rathlin Island yesterday. Check out this article from @daera-ni.gov.uk to find out more about this important framework for looking after our seabirds: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/muir-la...

Partners launching the NI Seabird Conservation Strategy along with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir at West Lighthouse on Rathlin Island. Photo by Joanne Monaghan / BTO.

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Mosquito-borne diseases pose an increasing risk to bird populations in the UK and Ireland 🐦‍⬛ The MosquitoNI project is studying which mosquito species are living here, and what viruses they might carry.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

There are now only around three weeks to go until the 2026 BBS survey season finishes at the end of the month! Please try and do your ‘Late’ visit as close to your average visit date as possible, as long as the weather is suitable. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science

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BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Fieldwork season is in full swing for our ACCLIMATISE team!

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