Alan Knox
@alanknox.bsky.social
Aberdeenshire; mainly birds, mammals, herps & selected inverts; often sidetracked ...
To all users of #BirdNET: you can do better by tweaking the default settings!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@blackdogbirder.bsky.social #bioacoustics #ornithology
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@blackdogbirder.bsky.social #bioacoustics #ornithology
Optimization of passive acoustic bird surveys: a global assessment of BirdNET settings
BirdNET is a popular machine learning tool for automated recognition of bird sounds. However, evidence on how to optimize its settings for accurate bird monitoring remains limited. Here, we evaluate ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 AM
To all users of #BirdNET: you can do better by tweaking the default settings!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@blackdogbirder.bsky.social #bioacoustics #ornithology
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@blackdogbirder.bsky.social #bioacoustics #ornithology
Well deserved, Joe!
Congratulations to Joe Carroll, one of our BTO Youth Reps, who was joint winner of the @nbntrust.bsky.social Young Person’s Award 2025! 🎉
Joe is a volunteer for @bbs-birds.bsky.social and @webs-gsmp.bsky.social and shares his experience as a young birder at conferences and events. Thank you Joe!
Joe is a volunteer for @bbs-birds.bsky.social and @webs-gsmp.bsky.social and shares his experience as a young birder at conferences and events. Thank you Joe!
NBN Award Recipients 2025 - National Biodiversity Network
The winners and highly commended recipients of the NBN Awards for Wildlife Recording 2025 were announced at the SS Great … Continued
nbn.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Well deserved, Joe!
Reposted by Alan Knox
The new FIBO library has arrived at the Obs. With a huge effort from John & Marian Ginnever and the generosity of many donors, 80 boxes of books now replace and expand the library lost in the 2019 fire. Huge thanks go to DHL, Streamline and the crew of the Good Shepherd for their generosity and help
November 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The new FIBO library has arrived at the Obs. With a huge effort from John & Marian Ginnever and the generosity of many donors, 80 boxes of books now replace and expand the library lost in the 2019 fire. Huge thanks go to DHL, Streamline and the crew of the Good Shepherd for their generosity and help
Reposted by Alan Knox
... & while you're at perhaps also support the platform & community sharing the sounds used to kickstart and train most of all that passive monitoring wizardry. Which platform? You guessed it: xeno-canto.org/donate
Birdsong is not only beautiful, it’s also full of information. This is where Acoustic Monitoring comes in. Will you support the development of this new and important work? Find out more and donate today ➡️ www.bto.org/acoustic... #bioacoustics #ornithology
November 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
... & while you're at perhaps also support the platform & community sharing the sounds used to kickstart and train most of all that passive monitoring wizardry. Which platform? You guessed it: xeno-canto.org/donate
Single Nathusius' and Soprano Pipistrelle #bats out in the snow here in Aberdeen last night. Brave.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Single Nathusius' and Soprano Pipistrelle #bats out in the snow here in Aberdeen last night. Brave.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
This is grim. Do you know the reasons?
Mean Chaffinch counts for a 160 ha ancient woodland in Cambridgeshire. Says it all.
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM
This is grim. Do you know the reasons?
The #Slow-worm has very restricted distribution in NE Scotland (2023 & 2024 maps here); welcome info of one @ #Methlick (blue star) in August from Tom Bodey. There are historic records @ nearby Gight but none recent so great news they are still in the area. Where else?
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The #Slow-worm has very restricted distribution in NE Scotland (2023 & 2024 maps here); welcome info of one @ #Methlick (blue star) in August from Tom Bodey. There are historic records @ nearby Gight but none recent so great news they are still in the area. Where else?
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A few different species but otherwise little change since several articles I wrote on this 30 yr ago! Some grim video & surprising species @ Stafford Bird Show this month:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
October 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A few different species but otherwise little change since several articles I wrote on this 30 yr ago! Some grim video & surprising species @ Stafford Bird Show this month:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
After more or less abandoning us over the last few weeks, the #squirrels are back at the feeders again!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 11:21 AM
After more or less abandoning us over the last few weeks, the #squirrels are back at the feeders again!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Ugh. End of season and awful weather. First night since 17 March with no #bats.
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Ugh. End of season and awful weather. First night since 17 March with no #bats.
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
Well. Really? There's a surprise! 🙄
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
The latest on Wing Beat: "Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys" by Brooke Goodman
americanornithology.org/humans-outpe...
Related paper: doi.org/10.1093/orni...
#ornithology #pointcountsurvey #soundID #birdsong
americanornithology.org/humans-outpe...
Related paper: doi.org/10.1093/orni...
#ornithology #pointcountsurvey #soundID #birdsong
Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys - American Ornithological Society
Merlin’s sound classifier feature has revolutionized interaction with the avian world since its release in 2021. It works by learning the unique features of a species’ vocalization, and then recognizi...
americanornithology.org
October 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Well. Really? There's a surprise! 🙄
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
Another #muirburn. They're at it again. Apparently legal at this time of year. Deeside yesterday.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Another #muirburn. They're at it again. Apparently legal at this time of year. Deeside yesterday.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Beautiful day up Deeside yesterday.
October 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Beautiful day up Deeside yesterday.
Two of 3 male Crossbills on the sea wall at Musselburgh today.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
October 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Two of 3 male Crossbills on the sea wall at Musselburgh today.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Gosh! More #bat - bird action, this time as Noctule evicts Great-spotted Woodpecker (& sees off Grey Squirrel).
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
fb.watch
October 17, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Gosh! More #bat - bird action, this time as Noctule evicts Great-spotted Woodpecker (& sees off Grey Squirrel).
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
Wow! This week: spectacular videos of rats preying on bats.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Brown rats are preying on bats at urban hibernation sites – even snatching them mid-air. Conservation efforts must include non-native rodent control at key bat roosts.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Wow! This week: spectacular videos of rats preying on bats.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Ridiculous that this should still happen
Out of control Muirburn near Dinnet NNR today. Now in the forest.
October 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Ridiculous that this should still happen
October 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
October 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Is anyone monitoring the @wildlifeacoustics.com bsky account?
Hi @wildlifeacoustics.com. It seems as if there is a small puncture in the membrane. @wildcare.eu say they can't supply a replacement. Any suggestions as to where I can get one (at a reasonable price!)? Spare parts seem to be difficult to get and very costly if available.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
🫣🫣
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
October 2, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Is anyone monitoring the @wildlifeacoustics.com bsky account?
Hi @wildlifeacoustics.com. It seems as if there is a small puncture in the membrane. @wildcare.eu say they can't supply a replacement. Any suggestions as to where I can get one (at a reasonable price!)? Spare parts seem to be difficult to get and very costly if available.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
🫣🫣
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Hi @wildlifeacoustics.com. It seems as if there is a small puncture in the membrane. @wildcare.eu say they can't supply a replacement. Any suggestions as to where I can get one (at a reasonable price!)? Spare parts seem to be difficult to get and very costly if available.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
Interesting paper. Hadn't really thought about these in the fossil record either, but seems obvious. Snipe probings at Inchgarth in Aberdeen earlier this month.
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Interesting paper. Hadn't really thought about these in the fossil record either, but seems obvious. Snipe probings at Inchgarth in Aberdeen earlier this month.
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
Fairly quiet offshore at Girdle Ness this evening. A few Manx Shearwaters and some Little Gulls but best was a Grey Phalarope heading north.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
September 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Fairly quiet offshore at Girdle Ness this evening. A few Manx Shearwaters and some Little Gulls but best was a Grey Phalarope heading north.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Plenty of Daubenton's #Bats action at Cults reservoir this evening. Also *lots* of Common, Soprano and Nathusius' Pipistrelles. #thermalcamera
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Plenty of Daubenton's #Bats action at Cults reservoir this evening. Also *lots* of Common, Soprano and Nathusius' Pipistrelles. #thermalcamera
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social