One of our 2-year Ospreys that fledged from our @careyssecretgarden.bsky.social nest back in 2024 just visited his natal nest much to the annoyance of his parents! @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Just in case you have missed it there is a splendid analysis of the vocalising Red-spotted Bluethroat at Swineham on Birds of Poole Harbour website, look back to 16th. Go listen. 🎶 www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/sightings/

Following @Natures_Voice advice on feeding birds, many of you have asked: what more can we do? 🐦💚

✂️ Cut hedges less often
🐕 Keep dogs on leads during breeding season
🐈 Keep cats indoors at dawn & dusk

Small changes = big impact.
Protect our birds for future generations

Bluethroat still present at Swineham. Was just feeding halfway along path at eastern end then flew into Reed bed area. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

A Robin perched on a branch, its beak full of food and other material.

To reduce disease, we all need to make some urgent but simple changes to how we feed our garden birds.

See our website for the latest guidance: brnw.ch/21x1t4w

Thrilled to be collaborating with Ciera Atkins to co-host @btobirds.bsky.social Youth Girls Go Birding event in Dorset, at Hengistbury Head.

Join us on the 2nd of May 10am-12:30pm for a birding walk followed by a warm (or cold!) drink at the Hiker Cafe. Can't wait!

www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

🚀 Incredible movement alert!

Our @PulsarWild sponsored CTT-tagged Jack Snipe has just completed an astonishing journey reaching Belgium from Staffordshire in just 7 hours 9 minutes! 🇬🇧➡️🇧🇪

That’s an average speed of 30+ mph for one of our most elusive and secretive species. 🤯

A Whinchat perches on top of a plant showing its white eye stripe. Wording alongside reads: We're hiring! Training officer. www.bto.org/jobs. The BTO logo is top right of the image.

Are you a skilled birder and want to help others to improve their skills? 🐦 Apply for our Training Officer role via www.bto.org/jobs

The successful candidate will join the team at BTO HQ in Norfolk who deliver courses, both in person and online.

Application deadline: Sunday 5 April. #Ornithology

Want a year at one of the UK’s top bird observatories?

We’re offering a 12-month Conservation Internship at Spurn — a unique chance to gain real experience in monitoring, conservation and migration.

Apply now 👇
spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news/conserv...

Not something I expected to see over work today… A pair of Cranes drifting up the Lower Piddle Valley alongside a WT Eagle.

Amazing to see soaring together overhead, making the scale of one another seem average when they’re both flying barn doors 😅 Species recovery in action!
#dorsetbirds

Incredible ringing recovery this AM by Stour Ringing Group of a Kestrel caught near Arne which was carrying a Dutch ring and a sat-tag. Well done for getting the data so quickly. Amazing movement for a bird that typically isn’t considered to move large distances. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Incredible news! In 2022 The first chick to fledge for 180 years in the South of England was female ‘5H1’.
Last year she raised 3 of her own chicks near Rutland including 8R3, which our team ringed. 8R3 was just seen in the Gambia by Fansu Bojang. Great to see 3rd generation Ospreys now thriving!

Fab morning @careyssecretgarden.bsky.social Migration Festival Part Two

Had a chance to learn more about bird ringing with @harbourbirds.bsky.social & hear from Chris Packham & Megan McGubbin about bird slaughter in Malta & Cyprus & recent work against North Dorset Hunt

www.operationdeadair.org

Eider Volunteer. Are you good at spotting Eiders in bracken? Help us map nests and dazzle adults. This role will also involve seabird ringing.

The position runs from 28th Apr - 22nd Jun (dates flexible). Deadline: 3rd Mar 2026, for full details contact calfbirdwarden@mwt.im

Eider 📸Kate Fox

3/4

Fancy experiencing life on a remote island bird observatory? We're looking for spring/summer volunteers (see following thread)! 1/4

*Appointment of these voluntary positions is conditional upon the outcome of a tender that has not yet been awarded (as of 30/01/26).

Shag and birding 📸s: Kate Fox

Even though more common now I still get excited seeing Med Gulls, so was buzzing when we just stumbled across a flock of c330 in a random field SE of Dorchester (along A352)!

#UKbirding #DorsetBirds
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @edjbetteridge.bsky.social

📢 DEADLINE APPROACHING...

...for the 2026 BOU Summer Placement Scheme

Financially supporting undergraduate students to carry out summer #ornithology research placements 🪶

Application deadline: 30 January 2026

Guidelines & application form: bou.org.uk/funding/s...

Readjusting to civilisation after saying farewell to @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social last week! A brilliant season with a lovely team, learning so many skills and making great memories 🐦💚🛠️

Now onto the next adventure, back to my Dorset roots!

Last weekend we closed down the observatory and said goodbye to the Calf for the winter. It's been a great season - thanks to all who have helped to make this year a success!

📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social

@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

23rd October Unlike yesterday, there were no great expectations for today's birding prospects in a 40mph northwesterly and the day's list struggled to ge...

www.portlandbirdobs.com/2025/10/23rd-october.html

It’s always exciting getting a first for the Calf in the moth trap… but even more special when they are as stunning as this OLEANDER HAWKMOTH! 🤩

@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

A great bird boat around Poole Harbour yesterday morning with @harbourbirds.bsky.social, highlighted with great views of WT Eagle, 7 Curlew Sand (12 species of wader), Honey Buzzard, Bearded Tit, 62 Spoonbills, Kingfisher etc with great views of more WT Eagles over Carey today #ukbirding

A young COMMON ROSEFINCH ringed at the Observatory today!

A nice addition to the arrival of migrants, with a notable increase in Robins and Swallow passage, a family of 4 Pink-Footed Geese, 13 Golden Plover and 13 Redshank also.

www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...

📸 Matt Livsey

#ukbirding

Pied Flycatcher

Second autumn vagrant in a week: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER above Gibdale this morning, the first August record and 1st since 2020!

Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison.

📸 Matthew Livsey

#ukbirding

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

A young Barred Warbler in the hand

Birders check yer bramble bushes… immature BARRED WARBLER ringed at the Observatory this morning!

Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.

📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social

#ukbirding

Highlight of the morning, a bird I’ve always wanted to see up close. What a chonker! 🤩

With autumn migration picking up, hopefully a sign of more good things to come 🤞

@birdguides.bsky.social

🗺️🐦 Our Wheatears are on the move!

One of this year’s Wheatear chicks colour-ringed on the Calf was seen at the Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon!

One of over 100 pulli we ringed this year, with over 30 nests monitored.

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding

Sign ups for Guillemates 2025/ 2026, for mentors and mentees. Deadline 19th September. Any q's email Jacqui - ecr@seabirdgroup.org.uk.

Early career researcher who'd love a mentor? Or mid-career (onwards) looking to give back AS a mentor?

Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...

Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩‍👩‍👦‍👦
Pls share! #seabirds

3/3 The majority of chicks were colour ringed, allowing them to be identified in the field. We also had success catching adults in the breeding colonies, so we’re excited to see where they spend their winters.

Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds

The Bird Team ringing Herring Gull chicks at Cow Harbour

The Wardens ringing gull chicks

A Warden ringing Great Black-backed Gull chicks

2/ Herring Gulls did well with 277 chicks ringed (2x the highest total from the last 3 years and highest since 2019). LBB Gulls did poorly, with only 3 chicks ringed and stronghold colonies devoid of chicks. GBB Gull chick numbers were on par with the last 5/6 years, with 39 ringed.

#seabirds