Mandy Gregory and Ray Maddison discuss a routine visit to Tophill Low that transformed into an unforgettable day, while Ashley Saunders describes the bird's remarkable relocation at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

Rice's Whale, described in 2021, is already Critically Endangered, with only 50 individuals surviving in the Gulf of Mexico. Threatened by oil exploration, ship strikes, noise and pollution, its limited range makes it highly vulnerable. Conservationists are calling for urgent protective measures, warning that without immediate action, this newly recognised species could disappear within decades.

Sam Viles rounds up the birding action in Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic during 29 September-5 October 2025 in the BirdGuides Review of the Week. Two Siberian Thrushes, Yellow-browed Bunting and Red-tailed Shrike made for another exciting week of autumn migration.

Mark Avery considers the Right to Roam campaign and asks if more public access to the countryside is a good thing for our wildlife.

Manx Shearwater has bred on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, for the first time in decades. Conservationists confirmed fledging chicks thanks to the LIFE Raft project, which is eradicating non-native predators such as ferrets and rats. Once abundant, shearwaters and other seabirds declined sharply on the island, but the project is already showing promising results for restoring Rathlin as a key seabird stronghold.

Finland's 2024 nesting bird report reveals a major increase in Red-flanked Bluetail, with breeding pairs rising from 1,500 in 2013-18 to an esimated 13,000 in 2019-24. While the species remains Vulnerable due to its concentration in eastern and north-eastern Finland, habitat expansion, potentially driven by warming climate, and earlier spring warmth are likely assisting its spread. Other taiga birds show mixed fortunes, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring.

Pine Marten has returned to Exmoor NP after an absence of more than a century. Nine females and 10 males were released during September 2025 at secret locations owned by the National Trust and Forestry England. The releases mark the return of an animal which was once common locally but lost due to hunting and the decline of its favoured woodland habitat. The Pine Martens were sourced from healthy wild populations in north-west Scotland.

Samoa's Critically Endangered Tooth-billed Pigeon, or 'little dodo', is facing imminent extinction due to deforestation, hunting and invasive species, reports BirdGuides. Conservationists warn that without urgent international funding for large-scale forest protection and monitoring, this unique and elusive bird could vanish forever. Tooth-billed Pigeon is one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct birds, yet remains poorly known, with no clear wild photographs and few recent sightings.

A late start one morning in Shetland turned into a moment of birding history for Simon Nichols when he discovered a first-winter male Siberian Thrush near Scalloway. After years of searching, Simon and his crew of bird-finders struck gold, using thermal-imaging cameras to locate the bird in elder bushes by Loch of Asta. The stunning rarity gave unforgettable views to the finders and assembled birders over the following days, marking one of the standout autumn discoveries of 2025.

Rice's Whale, described in 2021, is already Critically Endangered, with only 50 individuals surviving in the Gulf of Mexico. Threatened by oil exploration, ship strikes, noise and pollution, its limited range makes it highly vulnerable. Conservationists are calling for urgent protective measures, warning that without immediate action, this newly recognised species could disappear within decades.

More than 400 vultures have died in recent poisoning incidents in and around Kruger National Park, South Africa, with 2,400 deaths recorded in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area since 2015, BirdGuides reports. Experts warn that intentional 'sentinel poisoning' alongside increasing poaching threatens local vulture extinction, particularly among Critically Endangered White-backed Vultures. Calls for urgent action include community engagement, stronger regulation and improved law enforcement.

Sam Viles rounds up the birding action in Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic during 29 September-5 October 2025 in the BirdGuides Review of the Week. Two Siberian Thrushes, Yellow-browed Bunting and Red-tailed Shrike made for another exciting week of autumn migration.

Chris Darby's outstanding Lesser Grey Shrike flight shot is BirdGuides Photo of the Week for 29 September-5 October 2025.

Mark Avery considers the Right to Roam campaign and asks if more public access to the countryside is a good thing for our wildlife.

Pine Marten has returned to Exmoor NP after an absence of more than a century. Nine females and 10 males were released during September 2025 at secret locations owned by the National Trust and Forestry England. The releases mark the return of an animal which was once common locally but lost due to hunting and the decline of its favoured woodland habitat. The Pine Martens were sourced from healthy wild populations in north-west Scotland.

The BTO has launched a UK-wide Winter Bird Survey to improve understanding of wintering bird populations in habitats such as farmland and woodland. Building on earlier work, the project aims to assess population changes and the impact of agri-environment schemes, reports BirdGuides. Birders across the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man are invited to take part in this important citizen-science initiative.

A new study reveals that Arctic-breeding waterfowl, including Barnacle, Brent, Pink-footed and White-fronted Geese and Bewick's Swan, still manage to hasten migrations in spring by shortening fuelling and stop-over periods, allowing earlier arrival in response to advancing Arctic springs. However, this flexibility may only buffer three to four decades of warming. Conservation efforts should protect stop-over habitats, food sources and consider future adaptations.

Black Grouse has successfully bred on the North York Moors, confirming the species' first nesting success in the area since the 1840s. Read BirdGuides's report on the monitoring, habitat restoration, and the future prospects for the re-establishing population of this striking gamebird in Yorkshire.

More than 400 vultures have died in recent poisoning incidents in and around Kruger National Park, South Africa, with 2,400 deaths recorded in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area since 2015, BirdGuides reports. Experts warn that intentional 'sentinel poisoning' alongside increasing poaching threatens local vulture extinction, particularly among Critically Endangered White-backed Vultures. Calls for urgent action include community engagement, stronger regulation and improved law enforcement.

Samoa's Critically Endangered Tooth-billed Pigeon, or 'little dodo', is facing imminent extinction due to deforestation, hunting and invasive species, reports BirdGuides. Conservationists warn that without urgent international funding for large-scale forest protection and monitoring, this unique and elusive bird could vanish forever. Tooth-billed Pigeon is one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct birds, yet remains poorly known, with no clear wild photographs and few recent sightings.