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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Have you seen a ringed Ptarmigan? Volunteer ringers from Tay and Grampian Ringing Groups are now fitting small colour rings (under license) to Ptarmigan in the hills of Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. 1/3 #BirdingScotland

A Ptarmigan in the hand, about to be released after being fitted with a uniquely coded ring. Image: Jacob Davies

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Can you help with this survey this coming winter? Help us try and get a clearer picture on wintering birds away from the main estuaries. More info. in the link: www.bto.org/get-involved...

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

They're coming.... The first few skeins of Pink-footed Geese have been making their presence felt at various sites across Scotland. Listen out for their 'wink-wink!' call. It's very easy to report them via a 'quick add' on BirdTrack too.

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

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

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UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

We've had over 1,000 colony count submissions to the SMP in 2026 so far! Of the 23 seabird species with data, Fulmar has the most. Remember to submit your colony count and breeding success data before the October 31st data deadline. #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

(1/) For many BBS surveyors and birders in general, a sighting of a Golden Eagle is a very rare occurrence. However, Sean Morris who has surveyed two BBS squares on Rum for quite some time has occasionally recorded this majestic species: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social

An image of a Golden Eagle is shown. It is a large bird of prey with a hooked beak. It has a golden coloured head and chocolate brown wings.

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Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) | Goose & Swan Monitoring (GSMP) @webs-gsmp.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Not sure what WeBS is about or need a confidence boost with counting birds, before getting involved? In Sept, we will be running 3️⃣ FREE, virtual 'Counting Birds and WeBS' sessions, aimed for amateur birdwatchers who want to increase their skills. Sign up ➡️ www.bto.org/training

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Incredible news of Little Egret breeding in Aberdeenshire. This species continues to spread and the Bird Atlas 27-31 is going to show a huge change in breeding distribution since the last Atlas period. #BirdingScotland www.nature.scot/first-confir...

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First confirmed breeding of little egrets in north-east Scotland

Four of the distinctive large white chicks have fledged at NatureScot’s Forvie National Nature Reserve (NNR) this summer, in what is thought to be the most northerly breeding record in the UK.

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

A reminder about the deadline for data entry for BBS folks! Don't let your hard-earned survey results go to waste....

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

It's always nice to get some good news about our breeding seabirds. An excellent season for Sandwich Terns in the northeast!

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Tree Sparrow are doing well in Scotland, despite declines elsewhere in the UK.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

(1/) Although not as easily recognisable as Cuckoo, which we featured last week, Tree Pipit is another species that has increased in Scotland and declined in England. It is often found in heathland, bogs and conifer plantations. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

An image of a Tree Pipit. It is a small brown bird with black streaks on its breast. It is perched on a branch.

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

It's definitely getting to the stage of the summer when you need to actively look for Swifts each day. Enjoy them while you can. Pretty soon they'll be hawking for insects over the rainforests of the Congo Basin.

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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 Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

We've just published the details of some of our autumn training about wetland birds and the Wetland Bird Survey. Head over to the website to find out more and book your place. www.bto.org/about/where/... #BirdingScotland

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

We're excited to be taking part in the South Skye Nature Festival this weekend. We're running a walk, delivering a workshop on surveys, and Highland Ringing Group will be running a ringing demonstration. #BirdingScotland Details here: www.sleatnaturegroup.org/ssnf/

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The Scottish Ornithologists' Club @scottishbirding.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

A new Buzzard colour-ringing project has started in Central Scotland to better understand the local population and dispersal. The project is using red ring with a three letter code. If you spot a ringed bird, please report your sighting to buzzardcolourringing@gmail.com #ClydeBirding

Buzzard in flight viewed from below against a blue sky © Bob Hamilton

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Now THIS is exciting news!!!! Got your BBS data sat at home but not yet on the system? If so please enter it as soon as you can! Massive thanks so all our BBS volunteers 🐦‍⬛

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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 Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Here's our David with a wee reminder to do your best to fit in your late BBS visit if you can! We know the weather has been more than a little change-able this year, but hopefully many of you have managed both visits. Cheers

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Update from the field! One of the team caught the moment a Razorbill laid her egg earlier today 🥚. Watch closely at about 40 seconds in. She then settles down to incubate the egg. Amazing work by Sam Langlois🎥 #BirdingScotland

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

An amazing find in Perthshire- an adult Robin repeatedly feeding a recently-fledged Dipper! Interspecific feeding is recorded from time-to-time, but it's rare and a phenomenal thing to witness first-hand. Huge thanks to James Clements for reporting it. #BirdingScotland

Adult Robin feeding a fledgling Dipper. Perthshire, 3/6/26

Adult Robin feeding a fledgling Dipper. Perthshire, 3/6/26.
Check out the Dipper's nictitating membrane (over the eye)

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Massive thanks to all our volunteers- past and present- here in Scotland. We will never take people's time, energy, skill, and commitment for granted. It's great to see coverage in Scotland at such a high level.

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

This is a long shot but worth a go- we have three places available on 'Upland Birds and BTO Surveys' training this coming Wednesday. It's on Dumyat, just outside Stirling. These spaces have just become available. Full info here: www.bto.org/about/where/... Booking closes at 9pm tonight (Monday 1st)!

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

1/ The latest Winter Gull Survey revealed that over the two decades since the last count, the total number of gulls wintering in the UK has decreased from 3.9 million to just under 2.5 million! 📉 #Ornithology #Seabirds 📖 Read the report www.bto.org/WinGSReport

A greyscale image features a Common Gull flying with its wings outstretched which fill the screen. Wording alongside reads: 1.4 Million Gulls Vanished.

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

1/ There have been interesting habitat related findings from the 2025 @bbs-birds.bsky.social Report for Scotland. Whereas some woodland species have increased, several that are associated with upland habitats have declined. #Ornithology

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Job alert 📢 Last chance to apply to join the team ➡️ www.bto.org/jobs We're looking for a raptor enthusiast and great people person to take a coordinating role within the raptor monitoring scheme on behalf of all its partners. 📝 Deadline: Sunday 17 May. #BirdingScotland #RaptorResearch

A Buzzard perches on a stump of wood on the ground. Wording alongside reads: We're hiring! Scottish Raptor Monitoring Coordinator.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

(1/) We head to the north of the UK into Scotland for this week’s two up, two down. The Chiffchaff, with its simple, two note song, increased by 1,443% across the country 1995-2024. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #Ornithology

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

We're busy finalising the next Scottish e-newsletter. Sign up at this link and it should be hitting inboxes at the end of the week! www.bto.org/about/where/... #BirdingScotland

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

We had a superb day yesterday delivering Breeding Bird Survey training to keen volunteers up at NTS Mar Lodge Estate. It was chilly and pretty windy but we found some great birds. The list of raptors alone was remarkable. Thanks to everyone who joined us. #BirdingScotland

Enjoying a confiding Tree Pipit whilst some of the group scan for (even more!) Hen Harriers! Photo by Manouk Wilkinson.

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

Apply for our Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme grant ➡️ www.bto.org/ybov Each year the BTO provide a number of grants of up to £250, to support young people looking to visit one of the accredited British and Irish Bird Observatories. #Ornithology 📆 Closing date: Sunday 31 May

A young person holds a bird in her hand. Wording alongside reads: Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme. bto.org/ybov

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

There are some really useful tips in here for adding value to any records of rare birds you might be lucky enough to encounter! Bonus marks for identifying some of the birds in the background... #BirdingScotland

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Outstanding work from @rlaquila.bsky.social gettin' oot an' aboot in the hills. Want to find out more about our Upland Rovers scheme? Look here: www.bto.org/get-involved...

BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Can anyone help out? This is a lovely spot to survey! #BirdingScotland

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

There's a mini jobs bonanza just now at BTO! 🐦 Apply to become our next Scottish Raptor Monitoring Coordinator, Biological Data Manager or Research Support Officer via www.bto.org/jobs Birds Science People; it is a powerful combination – will you be part of it?

Photo of a Buzzard by Edmund Fellowes / BTO and text advertising three jobs at BTO.

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

A nice reminder below explaining about the value of reporting rare breeding birds. BirdTrack is one of the best routes to do so and adding breeding data is quick and easy.

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Calling young nature enthusiasts! We've got a BTO Youth event at Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve! Book a spot at www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

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BirdTrack @birdtrack.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

We've reached 100,000 registered users on BirdTrack! Thank you to everyone who has taken part. Data submitted to this partnership project allows us to look at migration, movements and distributions of birds throughout Britain and Ireland. Sign up to take part at www.birdtrack.net

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Don't miss this fun and free BTO Youth event at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social for 18-25 year olds! Book a spot at www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Anyone fancy this role with our friends at SOC?

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

We've heard of a few Cuckoos showing up in Scotland in the last few days. Have you heard one yet?

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Due to high demand we've made a few more spaces available on free training events (both online and in-person) taking place in the next few weeks. If these spaces fill up but you're desperate to join then message us here. www.bto.org/about/where/...

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

The 2025 BBS Report is out today! Dedicated volunteers were out in force, and it was our second best year for coverage. The report highlights the differing fortunes of species in Scotland compared with England, with seven species increasing north of the border but decreasing further south.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Spring is an active time for garden birds. 🐦 By recording what species visit your garden each week, you can contribute to research on how populations are changing in the UK. 🪶 Just a few minutes, with little birding experienced needed. Take part in BTO Garden BirdWatch ➡️ www.bto.org/gbw

A Blue Tit hangs from a tree branch appearing in the top of the image. Wording below reads: Garden BirdWatch. This spring, make your garden count.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

1/ For #WorldAutismAwarenessDay we asked some of the members of the BTO team who are on the Autism spectrum to share their experiences of working for the organisation. At BTO we’re committed to becoming more inclusive, find out more about this work at www.bto.org/inclusivity

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

1/ Forget tales of escapees from the film set of The African Queen. Ignore rumours of Jimi Hendrix’s supposed liberation of a pair on Carnaby Street. Newly declassified documents from the Ministry Of Defence reveal how Ring-necked Parakeets colonised the UK through Operation Norwegian Blue! 😮 🪶

A close up image of the head of a Ring-necked Parakeet showing its bright green plumage and red bill. Wording alongside reads: Origin of the UK’s Ring-necked Parakeets finally revealed!

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

We have a new survey starting tomorrow! Why not give it a bash and record what's around your local green space?

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