Walney Bird Observatory Heligoland Trap.
History, recent developments, rarities – and support from a British Birds Charitable Trust grant.
Find out more about Walney Bird Observatory in our latest blog post:
britishbirds.co.uk/news/walney-...
📸 Colin Raven
@birdobscouncil.bsky.social
Whitethroat and Skylark were very much in evidence around the village this AM. Red Kite and nesting Swallows at the mill…
A rare trip to the theatre this afternoon to see Daniel Casey starring in the stage adaptation of ‘Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift’ He was a brilliant Troy and every reason to think he will be an excellent Barnaby….
Mill Lane/Wigston Sewage Works and surrounding. Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Greenfinch (not regular here). Linnets and Reed Buntings both nest building. Double figure Skylark as well which is positive…
Working quarry last weekend and sewage treatment plant today. Oh, the glamour…
Come and stay on Bardsey in the next few weeks!
We have some nearly empty weeks coming up at the Observatory Lodge! Grab this opportunity for a last-minute stay… weeks beginning Sat 18th April, Sat 25th April and Sat 2nd May with some space also on 9th May. See bbfo.org.uk/stay
Not only a really interesting paper but it’s my favourite UK bird. What’s not to like…
A little blustery this afternoon along Mill Lane and Crow Mills. Nice to hear Blackcap and Whitethroat. At least three Green Woodpecker and Raven over…
Our local quarry is never quiet but definitely has a charm. First Willow Warbler of ‘26 this afternoon plus Raven, Peregrine, Grey Heron and a very smart male Grey Wagtail…
A good day at Malin Mansions with the first pair of House Martin settling in and carrying out running repairs on last years nest. We normally have two pairs, sometimes three, so fingers crossed 🤞 (disclaimer - not really a mansion but it sounded better) @ukhousemartins.bsky.social
Still very little migrant activity in Happisburgh. Plenty of Sand Martin along the cliffs and 5 Greylag Geese heading east were of interest but a quiet weekend. Not even a Sandwich Tern…
Fabulous. The quintessential Easter flower….maybe I will swing by on my way home from Norfolk tomorrow. Still a species I have never seen…
Great find Justin. Glad you salvaged something!
I do like Bacton Woods. Small groups of Siskin and a very vocal Marsh Tit…
Not very productive at Happisburgh this morning with Peregrine the highlight. Insane amount of Greenfinch on the caravan park. Don’t recall ever seeing so many. Nice to bump into @yarevalleyjus.bsky.social who was having about as good a visit as me!
I’ll take that…
I saw Strummer fronting The Poguea and Mick Jones with Big Audio Dynamite. Can I have half a point ?
A little blustery this afternoon at Happisburgh and was hoping for a Wheatear or Ring Ouzel migrant wise but had to settle for a couple of Chiffchaff which arguably could have been here all winter. Will see what tomorrow brings. If the earlier White Storks made it this far I didn’t see them…
🚨 Just a friendly reminder to users of the Mapper App housemartinconservation.com/house-martin... to re-synch it to the latest version before logging your first entries this year.
It's good practice to re-synch regularly so you don't get caught out! 🚨
If you haven't already downloaded, please do! 😊
Great initiative in N.Ireland 💚 🤍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We're very, very happy to contribute to the National Biodiversity Network! @nbntrust.bsky.social
Our HM Mapper data has now been published on the NBN Atlas (National Biodiversity Network) website 🖤🤍💙
registry.nbnatlas.org/public/show/...
Our new updated awareness raising A5 flyer is now available for download and printing via our website.
housemartinconservation.com/resources
Those lovely folk at @nenbc.bsky.social have been kind enough to give @ukhousemartins.bsky.social some space in the latest edition of The Pied Flyer. Thank you guys…
End of 2023, a total of 3,084 North American landbirds of 94 taxa had been recorded in the Western Palearctic. The most frequent of these species include Red-eyed Vireo, American Pipit & Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
📸 Mike Durkalec
🥇Subscriber Content
Landing on your doorsteps - The British Birds journal’s March 2026 issue
Highlights:
• Eurasian Curlew conservation
• North American landbirds on boats
• Britain’s first ever Canada Warbler
britishbirds.co.uk/journal/volu...
Over the last couple of days we have started to witness the arrival of one of our most enigmatic species, the House Martin. They are back! For information on the species and information on recording them in 2026 please pay us a visit www.housemartinconservation.com
Final call for any outstanding 2025 bird records. Please send to norfolkbirdrecs@gmail.com as soon as possible.
Not required if already submitted to Ebird/Birdtrack.
Thanks
With love in the air this month, we delve in to the stories of three species published in British Birds.
A young person is holding a bird in their hand. Wording below reads: young bird observatory visitors programme. bto.org/ybov.
Apply for our Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme grant ➡️ www.bto.org/ybov
Each year the BTO provide a number of grants of up to £250, to support young people looking to visit one of the accredited British and Irish Bird Observatories.
Closing date: Sunday 1 March. #UKBirding