Birdwatching Britain

Birdwatching Britain Birdwatching & Birding around Britain!

19/03/2026

The Welsh name for House Sparrow is Aderyn y Tô (translated as ‘Bird of the Roof’), and they have many local folk names, including Spadger (in London and the south of England) and Spuggy (in northern England).
What other names have you heard being used for these chatty little brown birds?

📷 John Harding

19/03/2026

Join us this spring for our Triangle Treks guided wildlife walks at Spurn!

A relaxed introduction to one of Britain’s best bird migration sites, exploring the famous Triangle and its wildlife.

📅 Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays
🕥 10:30–13:30

🔗 https://spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news/spring-guided-walks-13-03-2026

With support from

19/03/2026

OSPREY CRUISES - RUTLAND WATER
Friday 10th & Saturday 11th July 2026

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to spend an evening searching for fishing ospreys aboard the Rutland Belle with Dr. Tim Mackrill, a leading expert on ospreys and their reintroduction in the UK. Tim will discuss the science and stories behind the success of this iconic species, sharing insights about their migration across the planet and the unifying power of ospreys in achieving conservation goals. As a true champion of the species, there is no better guide to help you observe ospreys in their breeding habitat or to recount the remarkable story of their return to England after a 200-year absence.

Setting sail from Whitwell Harbour aboard the Rutland Belle, you’ll spend an hour and a half enjoying the picturesque surroundings of Rutland Water and the diverse wildlife that inhabits it. While we can’t guarantee that you’ll see a fishing osprey, we are confident that your chances are high, as we will navigate to areas of the reservoir where ospreys are frequently seen flying by or catching fish.

Spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment!

https://www.ospreylf.org/shop/

19/03/2026

Lapwings begin nesting in March, with males making several scrapes on the ground from which the female chooses her favourite to lay her eggs.

These birds have been known by an enormous variety of names in Scotland, most of which derive from their distinctive “pee-wit” call.

They include Peesie, Peesieweep, Tee-wit, and even the mouthful that is Wallopieweet!

📸: Andy Hay

15/11/2025

Very sadly, we are receiving reports of increases in High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (bird flu), including a worrying outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected.

⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza (bird flu) via the forms below ⬇️

📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds
📌 In Northern Ireland: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-dead-wild-bird-online-reporting-tool
📌 In Republic of Ireland: https://aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report

Please also report dead or sick birds to BirdTrack via www.birdtrack.net for monitoring purposes.

Please share this message far and wide with friends and birding communities. Thank you.

📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides

01/09/2025

New record for the oldest Barn Owl in Britain and Ireland! 😮 At 18 years old the female was ringed in 2007 in Nottinghamshire when she was a chick before being recorded again in Lincolnshire this year! Read the full story ➡️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4ne7kg387o

The typical life expectancy of a Barn Owl reaching breeding age is four years, so this is an incredible record!

Bird ringing allows information like this to be discovered and generates data on the survival, productivity and movements of birds, helping us to understand why populations are changing.

📷 Barn Owl from our archive by Tom Streeter/BTO

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