The graphic displays four images of Puffins showcasing the different recording units for them on SMP surveys. These are IND (individuals on land at the colony), AOB (apparently occupied burrows), SEA (individuals on the sea adjacent to the colony), and AIR (individuals flying over the colony).

Puffin colony count surveys are recommended from April 30th. Multiple survey methods and recording units can be used to monitor them. Take a look at the graphic below to visualise the different units! ⬇️ #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Thanks for your question. There is some evidence to suggest that the colour of the suborbital skin is an indication of breeding readiness, but other studies have also suggested that the colour of this patch could reflect the health, foraging ability, and/or immunity to parasites of an individual.

The graphic displays an image of a Cormorant with the English and Latin names (Phalacrocorax carbo). Key facts about their wingspan, lifespan, diet, number of eggs laid, time of year to see them, and the number of pairs in the UK are included.

At a glance, Cormorants might seem drab, but closer inspection reveals some incredible plumage and facial features!
Learn more about them in the graphic below and by visiting their BTO BirdFacts page: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The graphic shows a Puffin with its English and Latin names (Fratercula arctica). There is a key facts box on the graphic that covers their wingspan, lifespan, diet, breeding behaviour, seasonality, and UK breeding abundance.

Perhaps our most familiar and charismatic auks, these bright-billed burrow nesters certainly catch the eye!
Find out more about Puffins in the graphic below and by visiting their BTO BirdFacts page: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The graphic displays a Puffin covering half the page and a Cormorant covering the other half. The title reads 'Survey Start Dates' with the dates '30th of April' for Puffins and '1st of May' for Cormorants, the start dates of the recommended colony count survey periods for these species in SMP.

Some important SMP dates are approaching!
Soon, the recommended colony count period for Puffins and Cormorants starts. Keep an eye out for more posts over the next couple of weeks looking at these species and their survey methods! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The graphic displays images of six tern species, 5 commonly breeding in Britain and Ireland, and one which is out of place. This post reveals the answers to the previous post, with the out of place species being a Caspian Gull in the top centre position. The other terns are (from top left to bottom right) Little Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Roseate Tern, and Sandwich Tern

Here are the answers to the tern test...
How many did you get right, and did you spot the out-of-place Caspian Tern?! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

A Mistle Thrush on the ground shows its brown back, greyish nape and crown and spotted breast and belly. To the left, white wording on a blue background reads: Out now! The latest population trends for breeding birds in the UK. The BBS logo featuring a Goldfinch is top right of the image.

1/ The 2025 BBS Report is out now! It was a record year for volunteers taking part, with 2,800+ visiting 4,058 survey squares across the UK, Channel Islands & Isle of Man. A huge thank you to our volunteers!

@btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

The graphic displays six images of terns, five of which breed in Britain and Ireland, and one that's a bit out of place, with viewers prompted to identify who's who, especially the out-of-place individual. Results will come later in the week.

With spring comes the return of Britain and Ireland's breeding terns. Do you know their ID features well enough to know who's who of our five breeding terns below, and who's quite out of place?! Results later in the week.
#seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Graphic displays a Black Guillemot in flight with text that reads 'It's lift off on the Black Guillemot colony count surveys for the Seabird Monitoring Programme!'. The Seabird Monitoring Programme logo is in the top left-hand corner.

Black Guillemot survey season is here!
The best time to survey them is from first light to 9 am throughout April. To find out more and take part, head to: www.bto.org/get-involved...
#seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Northern Ireland Seabird Report 2025 copies laid out on a table, photo by Nia Potapova / BTO

The Northern Ireland Seabird Report Launch is now LIVE! Stay tuned for exciting #seabird talks as we celebrate the efforts of our incredible volunteers, researchers and organisations!

#Ornithology

Image displays a lighthouse on a small island with the text 'Northern Ireland Seabird Report 2025'. The BTO logo is in the bottom right hand corner.

The 2025 Northern Ireland Seabird Report has now been published! Head to: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... to read about how Northern Ireland's breeding seabirds fared in 2025 #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @bto-ni.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The graphic displays an image of a Shag with text discussing a current ongoing winter wreck and the need to report sightings of dead birds to the links in the caption.

The graphic displays a sub-adult Shag with text discussing the species' mass mortality in the North Atlantic during winter storms in 2023/2024, which caused many individuals to starve.

The graphic displays a Shag perched on a rock, stretching. The text discusses UK declines reported in the 2024 SMP Report, with a long-term (1986-2024) decline of 71% and a short-term (2000-2024) decline of 65%.

The 2024 SMP Report shows a decline in UK breeding Shags. Winter storms can cause mass deaths.

Report any dead birds to:
Eng/Wal/Scot: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
NI: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae...
ROI: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
#seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social

Image displays a thank you to participants on the SMP for the data they have collected and submitted to the SMP to generate this report.

Image displays a stoat and an extensive list of conservation measures in place for seabirds, including protection of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and reducing human disturbance.

Image displays an Arctic Skua and some reasons for decline, including reduced prey availability and pressures from mammalian predators.

Image displays an Arctic Skua, the species which has declined the most in the UK between 1986 and 2024. They have suffered a 93% decline in breeding abundance over this period, and pairs fledged an average of 0.03 young in 2024.

Image displays a map of the UK and Ireland with SMP colony count and breeding success data plotted for 2024. Data was collected for 580 colony count sites and 141 breeding success sites. Data was collected for all SMP species except Leach's Petrel in 2024.

The image announces the publication of the Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986-2024 report. The main image displays a pair of Kittiwakes and features the logos of the SMP, BTO, JNCC, and RSPB.

We’re pleased to announce the release of the 2024 Seabird Monitoring Programme report, in partnership with JNCC, in association with the RSPB.

Click here to read the report: www.bto.org/our-work/sci...

Read on for key findings ⬇️
#seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The graphic displays images of Black Guillemots and Guillemots, with notes on how their breeding-season congregations differ. Guillemots form colonies, and Black Guillemots nest in isolated pairs or small groups. Caption reads: Despite their similar names, these two species are quite different! Did you know they use different breeding habitats, with Guillemots using cliff faces and Black Guillemots using rocky islets, harbours, and similar features? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Despite their similar names, these two species are quite different! Did you know they use different breeding habitats, with Guillemots using cliff faces and Black Guillemots using rocky islets, harbours, and similar features? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Graphic displays an image with the title 'A Look at Auks, pt.1' which details a couple of facts relevant to both Puffins and Razorbills. Caption reads: 'How much do you know about Auks that breed in the UK? Add any additional facts that you know about Puffins and Razorbills in the comments below! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'

How much do you know about Auks that breed in the UK?
Add any additional facts that you know about Puffins and Razorbills in the comments below!
#seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Graphic Displays: A guide to monitoring Black Guillemots, including an image of likely habitat, and images of Black Guillemots. There are numerous headings and a checklist which capture the survey methods and timings. Caption reads: The peak time to monitor Black Guillemots is fast approaching... Have a look at our quick guide below, and let us know if you're ready! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The peak time to monitor Black Guillemots is fast approaching...
Have a look at our quick guide below, and let us know if you're ready! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

This #WorldWildlifeDay, we’re celebrating the seabirds of the Isle of May — from Puffins & Guillemots to Razorbills & Kittiwakes.

These cliffs support thousands of breeding birds, a powerful reminder to protect our marine wildlife & coastal habitats. 🐦🌊

#IsleOfMay #seabirds #ornithology

The graphic displays an image of the SMP Online home page, which displays a map of SMP sites with the new updates, including a 'Species Type' search function to find sites. You can now also search by postcode and the map legend has been updated. Caption reads: Some SMP Online updates have arrived! You can now search for sites by 'Species Type' or find sites local to you using the new postcode search. The SMP monitoring period starts soon; now's the perfect time to find a site to cover! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Some SMP Online updates have arrived!
You can now search for sites by 'Species Type' or find sites local to you using the new postcode search.

The SMP monitoring period starts soon; now's the perfect time to find a site to cover! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Graphic displays three images of Great Black-backed Gulls, one standing on a rock, one with a large fish it has caught, and one in flight. Text and labels highlight the species' bulbous bill and black back, which contrast with their surrounding white feathers. Caption reads: With a wingspan up to 1.66 meters, Great Black-backed Gulls are the largest species of gull globally. They're also the most predatory, often eating crustaceans, fish, and birds. Head to the coast for the best chance of sightings! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

With a wingspan up to 1.66 meters, Great Black-backed Gulls are the largest species of gull globally. They're also the most predatory, often eating crustaceans, fish, and birds.

Head to the coast for the best chance of sightings!
#seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Black Guillemot by Daniel Johnston / BTO

Would you like to contribute to important science work on one of our most iconic seabirds? Get involved in the All Island Black Guillemot survey this spring, a partnership survey between BTO NI & @npwsireland.bsky.social!
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#ornithology #ConservationScience🌍 #seabirds

A pair of Black Guillemots perching in the Bangor harbour by Katherine Booth Jones / BTO

Three Black Guillemots by Daniel Johnston / BTO

Black Guillemots (also known as Tysties) are a species of Auk found in urban coastal areas & offshore islands

Find out how you can help increase our understanding of Black Guillemots through the document below 👇
drive.google.com/file/d/19zjb...

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A deceased Puffin lies on its back on the ground. Wording above reads: Please report sightings of all dead birds. A graphic showing an exclamation mark in a triangle features.

⚠️ We've had reports of seabirds washing up. Please report ALL species of dead birds ⬇️

📍 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📍 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📍 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

📝 Please also report to BirdTrack through www.birdtrack.net.

If the bird has a ring, you can find information about how to safely report this here ➡️ www.bto.org/learn/he...

If you find a sick or injured bird please contact a wildlife rescue centre. Thank you.