Nicola Crockford
@numenini.bsky.social
480 followers 90 following 5.1K posts
RSPB Principal Policy Officer. BirdLife Global Flyways Programme policy lead. Privileged to work full time for the world's migratory birds. Love snorkelling. The views I express here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RSPB.
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Reposted by Nicola Crockford
cms.int
📢 OUT TODAY! 🚨

CMS published the most comprehensive global dugong assessment in 20+ years. Dugongs are vulnerable to extinction worldwide, some populations critically endangered. 🌊

We must map & protect seagrass, cut bycatch, restore habitats, and roll out action plans: www.cms.int/news/global-...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
rspb.bsky.social
On World Migratory Bird Day, today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight is the Grey Plover! 🤩

These impressive fliers migrate from the Arctic, capable of non-stop flights of 6,500 km to reach UK coastlines.

Some stay for winter while others continue their journey to western Africa.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
steffopp.bsky.social
NEW JOB in #ornithology with @RSPBScience to oversee research in #Wales with #seabirds and #waders: buff.ly/qkTVU6m
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
wadertales.bsky.social
Yesterday, IUCN declared the Slender-billed Curlew to be extinct.
How did we let this happen?
What lessons are there for the future?
WaderTales blog based on paper by Graeme Buchanan et al
wadertales.wordpress.com/2024/12/12/l...
#extinction #ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
waderstudy.bsky.social
Today IUCN has officially declared the Slender-billed Curlew extinct, marking the first known global extinction of a formerly widespread migratory bird species whose range included mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.

Read more here ⬇️
www.unep-aewa.org/fr/node/6632
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
curlewaction.bsky.social
Today (date), the Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct. The first bird extinction on mainland Europe in 500 years — on our watch. Extinction is final. No going back. Think about that.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
thierryaaron.bsky.social
"Scientists warn that if current trends in sea level rise continue, more than 45% of the Delta could be submerged within decades, displacing millions and jeopardising Vietnam’s food security"

#Vietnam 🇻🇳
#ClimateEmergency
The Mekong Delta’s climate defences are failing
Infrastructure projects to keep out seawater have been plagued by failures. Experts say Vietnam must shift from hard fixes to nature-based solutions
dialogue.earth
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
globalflyway.bsky.social
Stidsholt et al. monitored greater noctule bats in flight. These bats track migrating birds using echolocation and consume them on the wing. As efficient aerial predators they apparently evolved to feed on small migratory birds during long-distance flights.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Greater noctule bats prey on and consume passerines in flight
Despite billions of passerines seasonally migrating during the night at high altitudes, only three bat species have been found to consistently tap into this rich prey resource. However, it remains unk...
www.science.org
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
rspbscience.bsky.social
As part of the 2024 waders update, 16 other migratory waterbirds had their red list status uplisted

The decline in so many wader and shorebird species is deeply concerning and shows the urgent need for more effective conservation action across the flyway
A Spoon-billed Sandpiper stands alone on a rocky shore. It’s distinctive spatulate bill is visible in profile.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
rspbscience.bsky.social
The loss of this species is a stark reminder of the threats our own Eurasian Curlew faces

With the UK hosting 25% of the breeding population, it is vital that we continue to protect breeding and non-breeding sites from development and lobby for nature-friendly farming
A ringed Eurasian Curlew picks its way through short brown grass towards the camera.
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
🚨2025 #RedList Update🚨

We have reassessed 1,360 bird species. Out of the 11,185 species assessed worldwide: 

⚠️11.5% are globally threatened.

📉61% have declining populations.

But restoring habitats will help put these species on a path to recovery.🌱

Read more👉 www.birdlife.org/red-list-upd...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
thelabandfield.bsky.social
Well, it's official. After our paper last year (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....), the Slender-billed Curlew is officially declared Extinct today.

Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
cms.int
Today, IUCN officially declared the Slender-billed Curlew extinct, marking the first known global extinction of a formerly widespread migratory bird species whose range included mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.

Read our and AEWA's full statement: www.cms.int/news/slender...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
drandygreen.bsky.social
The importance of waders for seed dispersal in a rapidly changing world. Short "Perspective"article by Green & Lovas-Kiss #ornithology #waders #shorebirds #OpenAccess @ebdonana.bsky.social @waderstudy.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @seobirdlife.bsky.social
www.waderstudygroup.org/article/19803/
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
peterfrankopan.bsky.social
Belarus rarely makes Western headlines — but it should this week.
A quiet move by the Trump administration has just handed Alexander Lukashenka, and indirectly Vladimir Putin, an unexpected gift.
🧵👇
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
cms.int
Raptors are vital to healthy ecosystems, yet many are declining. 🦅

Attending #IUCNcongress? Join us to explore the ecological & socioeconomic importance of vultures and sooty falcons, and how coordinated action translates research and policy into practical conservation: www.cms.int/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
kyle-horton.bsky.social
Another massive movement of migratory birds underway tonight — nearly 1 Billion Birds! With the full moon, you might be able to see some silhouettes zipping by. You can make your own flow maps here (just hit record): aeroecolab.com/uslights
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
alexanderlees.bsky.social
"The causes of insufficient reproductive success in our two study populations were low rates of whole-nest survival, which were only sufficiently high to maintain population size for nests in gardens. Low nest survival rates were mostly the result of egg or chick predation."
bou.org.uk
EARLY VIEW in IBIS

Inadequate reproductive success is a potential cause of Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) population decline in England | onlinelibrary.wiley....

Malcolm D. Burgess et al | #ornithology 🪶
Reposted by Nicola Crockford
bou.org.uk
EARLY VIEW in IBIS

Inadequate reproductive success is a potential cause of Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) population decline in England | onlinelibrary.wiley....

Malcolm D. Burgess et al | #ornithology 🪶
numenini.bsky.social
Around a temple at Nantong Yangkou, Spotted Dove, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, some handsome Red-billed aka White-cheeked Starlings & Oriental Magpie.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2
numenini.bsky.social
On a humid, dank, dawn at Nantong Yangkou, quick bit of birding before flight home from Shanghai included a Common Hoopoe & on a little wetland, big roost of Black-crowned Night Heron, while a Pied Kingfisher hunted for brek & Black Drongo perched above the tidal flats. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2