British Birds

We publish articles on identification, distribution, migration, conservation and taxonomy. Also now on Bluesky @Britishbirds

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Less weight. Less bulk. No compromise?
Our latest product review takes a closer look at the @zeissbirding ZEISS Conquest Apia 65 spotting scope – a compact design that impressed our reviewer in the field.

🔗 https://t.co/ZEhCYFfX1a

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Less weight. Less bulk. No compromise?

Our latest product review takes a closer look at the ZEISS Conquest Apia 65 spotting scope – a compact design that impressed our reviewer in the field. 🔭

🔗 https://t.co/ZEhCYFfX1a

#ZEISSbirding #birdingoptics #review

[Steve Gantlett @CleyBirds]

The Western Reef Heron in Caernarfon Harbour this morning. What a striking bird – and fully-plumed too!
(More pics on https://t.co/Z1h7nSP3li when I've sorted them!)

[Murray Orchard @MurrayOrchard]

Great to see the note about Bitterns nesting in open grazing marsh at Elmley. Fantastic observations/videos by Fiona McKinnon in recent years of incredibly showy behaviour - breaking all the rules for Bittern!
And well done to the Elmley team for creating such a great reserve👏👏

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Today’s Species Focus is the Bittern!

Explore British Birds coverage of this remarkable species, from population changes and roosting behaviour to separation from American Bittern and nesting in open grazing marsh.

➡️ https://t.co/3BZuYYH64j

📸David Tipling

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Celebrate the end of exams by rewarding a young birder with the British Birds Young Person membership from £25 per year.

Ready to explore? https://t.co/8E8rCrxCeO

[British Birds @britishbirds]

The #OpenAccess pick for June is a review of separating first-calendar-year Levant Sparrowhawk and Shikra. As Shikra expands across the Western Palearctic, this information may become increasingly important.
⬇️
https://t.co/X0DLdBrdHJ

🖋️ Oscar Campbell
🎨 Alan Harris

[British Birds @britishbirds]

The latest British Birds is out now: separating 1CY Levant Sparrowhawk and Shikra, changes in the breeding birds of the Pumlumon uplands, a BB Eye on hybridisation, plus My Patch, notes, reviews and more.

Read the issue:
🔗 https://t.co/ikwtEhI4MU

📸 Harry Scott
🎨 Alan Harris

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Each year, the British Birds Charitable Trust (BBCT) awards grants to a wide range of projects involving species from the Western Palearctic and the UK Overseas Territories.

BBCT was able to award several grants in 2025 – find out more: https://t.co/CLFSIpeS2t
📸 David Tipling

[British Birds @britishbirds]

This month's Main Paper looks back at the UK Ruddy Duck eradication programme. The population fell from 6,000 birds in 2000 to an estimated 9 birds by 2026, with the aim of reducing hybridisation with the endangered White-headed Duck in Spain.

Read more: https://t.co/KbpxpPQm30

[British Birds @britishbirds]

We decided to offer readers the opportunity to put their questions to the experts @LesserSpotNet and, at their recent meeting, Linda Smith co-ordinated the responses.

Read the questions and responses in our latest News piece: https://t.co/3Hybuu9lbU
📸David Tipling

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Almost seven years since we were delighted with the Dalmatian Pelican found in Cornwall.

Take a step into the past with the 2019 journal piece;Dalmatian Pelican in Britain
written by Christopher McInerney

Read more: https://t.co/WStivKaXrX

📸Michael McKee
🥇Subscriber Content

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Natural England have published an informative piece regarding their thoughts on White Stork re-introductions in Britain.

Read more for free in our Latest News piece: https://t.co/3GoV7AyNuc

📸David Tipling

[British Birds @britishbirds]

🖋️ Author: Conor Jameson

[British Birds @britishbirds]

This month's Letters focuses on American Goshawks in Europe with an update on a vagrant visiting the Azores in October 2024. A follow-up to the original paper published in February 2024.
Read more: https://t.co/PpyjK1XcFZ
📸 - Frederico Morais
🥇 - Subscriber Content

[British Birds @britishbirds]

May's main paper for the British Birds Journal takes us through the status and origins of Great Grey Shrikes in Britain.

Read more: https://t.co/0N8RF0X25T
📸 Phil Palmer 🖋️ Andy Stoddart

[British Birds @britishbirds]

The has been many great birds aiding to those Year Listing this year, or enjoying their patch birding.

Highlights;
- Harlequin Duck
- Black-winged Kite
- Killdeer
- Tengmalm’s Owl

Read the article: https://t.co/rK3wxfNFeU

📸Richard Stonier

[British Birds @britishbirds]

This month's open access paper for British Birds:

Birds in Greenspaces is a new British Trust for Ornithology survey designed to address the underrepresentation in biodiversity monitoring in our greenspaces.

Read now: https://t.co/7F0Ly1sooH
📸 David Tipling

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Latest news piece open for all to enjoy on the British Birds website: https://t.co/7EJRIijQnf

[British Birds @britishbirds]

Step in to spring with the British Birds journal available now with your Digital Subscription.

In the issue:
- Great Grey Shrikes in Britain
- An update on Ruddy Duck eradication
- BTO British Trust for Ornithology Birds in Greenspaces project

📸Phil Palmer & Alan Harris