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Holme is one of my favourite places. Gorgeous day to be out birding. Totted up 77 species for my #BirdTrack list including Lapland Bunting flying west, 2 Grey Phalaropes and three close Poms (2 ad, juv), all west #NorfolkBirding

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 6h

Decent gull roost at Titchwell this evening with 600 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 16 Yellow-legged Gulls, 6 Caspian Gulls (5ad, 3cy). Possible adult Baltic Gull - looked the part. #NorfolkBirding

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 6h

Pink-footed Geese coming into Titchwell this evening. Volume up! #NorfolkBirding

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I enjoyed it back then, saw the Nutcracker when I had a broken leg in full leg plaster and on crutches. Thanks to my very good friend, Chris P for picking me up in Shropshire and taking me.

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Nutrackers building up in the low countries. Occurrences in pink, counts in blue for week 1-7 Oct www.eurobirdportal.org/ebp/en/#home...

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Cool. Will be down soon so will look. Thanks! I like birding at Penberth and always hope to find something good there one day.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

We've got some great opportunities to join us at BTO! Discover more and apply for our jobs and voluntary roles online at www.bto.org/jobs #Ornithology

A sideways view of a Puffin shows its white face, black body and brightly coloured orange-red bill. Wording alongside reads: We're hiring. Bird Atlas 2027-2031 Organiser, Research Ecologist, Field Surveyors, Youth Rep (Voluntary Role).

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Nice. Were the Dippers seaward end of valley or inland. Never seen Dipper at Penberth.

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Nice one. Always wonderful to hear!

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Lots of Redwings going over Thetford this evening! Nice reward stepping outside after a couple of hours helping with a swimming gala #norfolkbirding #migration

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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Small sandpipers can be a complex challenge, but structure and plumage hold the clues. 1984 paper; ‘Identification of Stints and Peeps’ gives readers a complete run-through of autumnal wader ID. Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti... 📸Thomas Willoughby 🔑Subscriber content

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Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) | Goose & Swan Monitoring (GSMP) @webs-gsmp.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

As the weather cools down, you might begin to see some more of our favourite feathered friends settling in for the autumn🍂🪶 Some are resident in the UK, while others migrate here for the winter, bringing a boost in numbers to some areas. Learn more at➡️ www.bto.org/birdfacts #Ornithology #UKBirding

A photo of a green background with autumn leaves, with the title 'Autumn Arrivals!' and listing WeBS species with photographs of each bird: Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, Redshank, Dunlin, and Curlew

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Tim Blackburn @mothyblackburn.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Super afternoon birding on Blakeney Point. Seawatching produced Cory’s Shearwater east and Sooty Shear and Leach’s Petrel west. Then a call from @tnewbold31.bsky.social to tell me he thinks he’s found a Dotterel. A short sprint later and I was very happy to confirm. #UKBirding

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Looking for surveyors (one per region) for the Yorkshire Dales and the Fens. And, after the advert going live, now require cover for South Suffolk/North Essex.

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Martin Collinson @docmartin2mc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Here we go. DNA from poop of Sykes's Warbler from Girdleness last week ('IR04') is to no one's surprise exactly that. Iduna rama with 100% statistical support, to exclusion of all other species. #scottishbirding @birdguides.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social

Phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome b sequence comparing DNA from the Sykes's Warbler at Girdleness, Aberdeen, with Genbank Iduna sequences of all species and lurking at top the Western Olivaceous Warbler from Whalsay, Shetland in 2023. Red nodes have 100% bootstrap support and the Girdleness bird falls within rama as expected.

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British Birds Rarities Committee @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

If you were lucky enough to find a rarity in 2026 that was also resighted elsewhere (e.g. Caspian & Gull-billed Terns, Black Storks, some gulls, wildfowl), it greatly helps the committee to receive these as soon as possible so that tracked individuals can all be circulated together. Thankyou.

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British Birds Rarities Committee @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The 2025 digital BBRC report is available to subscribers at britishbirds.co.uk/journal/volu... . The print version is on its way.

britishbirds.co.uk

Latest issue - British Birds

News and comment Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2025 View articles View issue...

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Job Alert! 🔉 We're looking for two part-time Field Surveyors for the Winter survey season from November - March to conduct wintering bird surveys. To discover more and apply visit ➡️ www.bto.org/jobs 📍 Survey areas: Yorkshire Dales & the Fens. 📝 Deadline for applications: Sunday 18 October 2026.

A Fieldfare is amongst frosty grass. Wording above reads: We’re hiring! Field Surveyors - LandSpAES Project.

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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Stay connected with the latest in ornithology, bird identification and conservation. Subscribe to British Birds and enjoy monthly issues of the journal, plus access to a wealth of online articles dating back to 1907. Ready to explore? britishbirds.co.uk/subscribe

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Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Still time to get your lucky birding t-shirt for autumn, plus it's FREEPOST on all UK orders this weekend. How high are you aiming? Order before midnight Sunday #UKBirding #BirdArt

Personalised MyPatch t-shirt by Alula Designs

Autumn buntings t-shirt by Alula Designs

American sparrows t-shirt by Alula Designs

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

My husband Peter Wilson, and his brother Andrew, would catch the bus from Sheffield to Mexborough and walk. Mid-late 80s. They enjoyed birdwatching there too.

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Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The Yellow Wagtail at Cley this pm. Superficially striking in its grey & white plumage, was its back a little too brown & the face pattern a little soft for Eastern? All its flight calls sounded Western & the odd more buzzy note was often in alarm. My sonograms seem to bear this out. #UKBirding

The grey and white Yellow Wagtail at Cley this afternoon. A smart and striking bird but was the back a little too brown washed and the face a little too soft? Hard to judge the hind claw as it fed in wet grass. Eastern and Western seem to overlap in most / all plumage features so the call is all important.

This sonogram, recorded on my iPhone15, over the background chatter and gravel crunching seems to show a simple (Western) pattern without the saw-like tail produced by the more buzzy call of Eastern.

This was the most buzzy call I recorded. An alarm call made when the Wagtail was flushed and chased by a Meadow Pipit. Despite the more buzzy note apparent in the sound recording the sonogram looks much the same as the flight calls. Assuming this isn’t a limitation of the recording device then the pattern seems to better fit a Western Yellow Wagtail, perhaps a Grey-headed?

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Many congratulations, Rufus! Very well deserved. Hope you enjoyed the evening.

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Yesterday we visited RSPB Old Moor reserve. First time since 1999 I've been been beyond the VC (for meetings). Pete used to visit as a child to Wath Ings. A really lovely reserve. Female American Wigeon looked good, also Wood Sand, 4 Green Sand, Common Sand, 2 Spot Reds, 7 Ruff. #YorkshireBirding

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Jared Wilson @wilsonjaredm.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Great 2025 BBRC report in the latest issue of @britishbirds.bsky.social and nice to see the Fife Ness Bridled Tern (2025) and Brown Booby (2024) accepted #birdingFife #rarebirdsUK

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Congratulations to Rufus Dawson, for this well deserved BTO Award. He is one of our most active Woodpecker Network volunteers and his Passive Acoustic Monitoring for Lesser Spots in Gloucestershire and Avon is contributing greatly to our understanding of this elusive species.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Congratulations to Breeding Bird Survey volunteer Dorian Moss for receiving the Jubilee Medal! It's fantastic to hear that he has completed 91 visits to the BBS squares that he has surveyed over the years. That is true dedication! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social #Ornithology

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

He really hasn't changed! He talked fondly about Jim and his PhD on Starlings.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

(1/) The next three Waterways Breeding Bird Survey trends that we are going to share are all summer migrant species. Think of them as a throwback to summer! Sedge Warbler dropped in numbers by almost half over the last quarter of a century along waterways. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social

A Sedge Warbler is shown. It is a small, streaky warbler species with a distictictive pale eye stripe. It is perched on a Reed Stem.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Congratulations to @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social our winner of the Dilys Breese Medal 🎉We’re pleased to award Brigit this medal for using her online platforms to encourage nature interaction and conservation in an accessible manner, and her enthusiasm in participation and promotion of BTO surveys!

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Our @btocymru.bsky.social team were delighted to present the Bernard Tucker Medal to John Lawton Roberts. John has shown dedication to bird monitoring through 40+ years of ringing, submitting 9k+ nest records, contributing to at least 9 BTO surveys each year & press & scientific journal articles!

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

We’ve got two Jubilee Medal winners this year, the first being Andrew Harris! Andrew has dedicated more than half a century to bird ringing & during over 40 years as a Ringing Trainer has influenced generations of trainees. He’s also played a key role in developing long-term monitoring projects.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Our next Jubilee Medal winner is Dorian Moss! Dorian’s research involvement with BTO includes 91 @bbs-birds.bsky.social visits, 3k+ observations during Atlas surveys and 5k+ @birdtrack.bsky.social record submissions. He’s also a Ringer and Trainer. Thank you Dorian!

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

My boss from his time at BTO. Congratulations, Will! Very well deserved.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The @marshawards.bsky.social for Local Ornithology goes to The Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group! This group’s ornithological and conservational efforts in their area are commendable, including their work radio-tagging Jack Snipe, their bird ringing studies & book publication.

An image of four members of the Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group feature in a circular frame. Wording over the image tile reads: Winner. Marsh Award for Local Ornithology. Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group. The BTO and Marsh Charitable Trust logos feature top right of the image.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Congratulations to @rufusdawson.bsky.social winner of @marshawards.bsky.social for Young Ornithologist! 🎉 Rufus has conducted tremendous work in leading a monitoring scheme for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker using Passive Acoustic Monitoring. We can’t wait to see more of his work in the future!

An image of Rufus Dawson features in a circular frame. Wording over the image tile reads: Winner. Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist. Rufus Dawson. The BTO and Marsh Charitable Trust logos feature top right of the image.

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Flamborough Bird Observatory @flamboroughbird.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Migweek is just over a week away!!! Bird ringing demonstrations, vismigging, Guided walks, Expert talks on migration Plus much more !! Book your place on the events by following the link below flamboroughbirdobs.org.uk/events/migwe...

flamboroughbirdobs.org.uk

Migweek 2026 Programme - Flamborough Bird Observatory

Saturday 10th – Sunday 18th October 2026 Every day Ringing Demonstration 8am – 12pm at the Living Seas Centre, Flamborough Come and meet FBO’s ringing team, see birds up close and discover the secrets...

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UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

56% of breeding success records submitted to the SMP for 2026 are from sites in England! If you have records from any SMP-covered country, please submit them by October 31st. #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

An image of two adult Cormorants and their two young.

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European Bird Census Council @ebcc.info · 01/10/2026

A new study using European Breeding Bird Atlas 2 (EBBA2) data shows that selecting Europe’s 30% highest-priority terrestrial areas could protect 49% of species’ ranges and 63% of species’ populations. More: www.ebcc.info/using-ebba2-...

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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A bumper October issue featuring the 2025 BBRC Report – Report on Rare Birds in Great Britain in 2025. Packed with fantastic images, fascinating context surrounding some of the rarities recorded throughout the year. Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/volu... 📸 Cover by Graham Jepson

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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Report on Rare Birds in Great Britain in 2025 is available to journal subscribers, or as a single-purchase hard copy from our shop. Packed with fascinating records, fantastic images and the stories behind Britain’s rarest birds. britishbirds.co.uk/journal/volu...

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Great to see this paper published and happy to have helped in a very small way. Congratulations @pomscheme.bsky.social - top job!

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UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme @pomscheme.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

PoMS reaches another key milestone with publication of our modelling paper and blog on the eve of the last day of our 10th survey season!! 👏🎉 Thanks as ever to all the volunteers, partners and funders who have made this possible 🙏 🌟 More details below!

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

You can check out Nutcracker and hundreds of other species on the amazing Eurobirdportal. Here are counts of Nutcracker. You can change species by clicking on 'new data' and updating visualisation. Also counts/occurences. #BirdTrack data feeds in nightly www.eurobirdportal.org/ebp/en/#home...

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

My SX60 died recently and I ended up buying a second hand SX60 in immaculate condition for £150.

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UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme @pomscheme.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Last few days left for your FIT Counts! 😃 If you can find flowers and good weather you can still contribute a #pollinator count - but hurry 👩‍🦽🏃🚴‍♀️ the season ends on Weds 30 September ⏳️

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UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Did you know some UK-breeding Lesser Black-backed Gulls are migratory? In autumn, they head to Spain, Portugal, and North and West Africa to winter. Could individuals you've monitored be among those heading south? #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Image of a Lesser Black-backed Gull with two chicks.

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European Bird Census Council @ebcc.info · 28/09/2026

New Pick of the Week by Nils van Duivendijk - Pallas's Warbler! A vagrant species in Europe, coming from Siberia, usually in autumn. By checking the new EBP viewer, you can follow its whereabouts across the continent: eurobirdportal.org/ebp/en/#home...

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Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

What an amazing contribution! I can't wait to enter mine to #BirdTrack - just need more days in the week!

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