Dawn Balmer
@debalmer.bsky.social
Birder, ringer, moth(er) and mother. Head of Surveys at BTO, BB Editorial Panel, BB Director, BBRC, Chair RBBP. EBCC Board. Views my own. She/her.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We have a talk coming up this week on Friday 28th November about bird ringing at Oxwich Marsh. The talk will be at St Paul's Parish Centre in Sketty and will start at 19:30. Full details at the link below:
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
November 24, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We have a talk coming up this week on Friday 28th November about bird ringing at Oxwich Marsh. The talk will be at St Paul's Parish Centre in Sketty and will start at 19:30. Full details at the link below:
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
A million mile Manxie...? I will never not be in awe of the ocean distances travelled by a bird weighing the same as three large bananas. News from #Uruguay, @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social and other parts of #NorthWales in @northwaleslive.bsky.social. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/travell...
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/travell...
Travelling Shearwaters never cease to impress
While we shiver in shorter days, Manx Shearwaters that left their nest burrows on Ynys Enlli/Bardsey just 10 weeks ago are rafting off the South American coast. The Bird Observatory reports one...
www.birdnotes.wales
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
A million mile Manxie...? I will never not be in awe of the ocean distances travelled by a bird weighing the same as three large bananas. News from #Uruguay, @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social and other parts of #NorthWales in @northwaleslive.bsky.social. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/travell...
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/travell...
Welney packed with birds today. This presumed Pochard x Ferruginous Duck hybrid from the main obs. A few Cattle Egrets with the sheep on the bank. And Whooper Swans - a real favourite of mine!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
November 23, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Welney packed with birds today. This presumed Pochard x Ferruginous Duck hybrid from the main obs. A few Cattle Egrets with the sheep on the bank. And Whooper Swans - a real favourite of mine!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Super day at Welney @wwtworldwide.bsky.social and good to see water finally on the Washes and lots of waterbirds. Nearly 200 Pintrail, 896 Black-tailed Godwits, 250 Pink-feet, 7 Crane, 2 Peregrine, Whooper Swans into roost. Loads of Wigeon and Teal. Beautiful sky to end the day.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
November 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Super day at Welney @wwtworldwide.bsky.social and good to see water finally on the Washes and lots of waterbirds. Nearly 200 Pintrail, 896 Black-tailed Godwits, 250 Pink-feet, 7 Crane, 2 Peregrine, Whooper Swans into roost. Loads of Wigeon and Teal. Beautiful sky to end the day.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Nice to see some water on the Ouse Washes yesterday, and plenty of Whooper Swans. But sadly 2 dead juv Whoopers likely avian flu victims. Reported via #BirdTrack and Defra website #UKBirding
November 22, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Nice to see some water on the Ouse Washes yesterday, and plenty of Whooper Swans. But sadly 2 dead juv Whoopers likely avian flu victims. Reported via #BirdTrack and Defra website #UKBirding
Fly Agaric at East Wretham Heath this week. Lovely fresh specimen adding a bit of colour amongst the leaves
November 20, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Fly Agaric at East Wretham Heath this week. Lovely fresh specimen adding a bit of colour amongst the leaves
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
The BOC Committee has decided that effective from 1st October 2025, Club membership is FREE for under-25s.
Find out more about Club Membership here: berksoc.org.uk/about/club-m...
#berksbirds
Find out more about Club Membership here: berksoc.org.uk/about/club-m...
#berksbirds
November 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM
The BOC Committee has decided that effective from 1st October 2025, Club membership is FREE for under-25s.
Find out more about Club Membership here: berksoc.org.uk/about/club-m...
#berksbirds
Find out more about Club Membership here: berksoc.org.uk/about/club-m...
#berksbirds
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
The Rare Breeding Birds Panel has welcomed Jenny Weston as a new independent member:
RBBP welcomes new member
Jenny Wetson has joined the Rare Breeding Birds Panel as an independent member. The RBBP announced the decision earlier this month, saying in a statement:
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The Rare Breeding Birds Panel has welcomed Jenny Weston as a new independent member:
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Sadly, we have seen a big increase in avian flu cases in the UK - particularly in waterfowl
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
November 19, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Sadly, we have seen a big increase in avian flu cases in the UK - particularly in waterfowl
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
The BBRC has confirmed the appointment of Richard Patient as a full voting member of the committee, following the retirement of long-serving member David Fairhurst:
Richard Patient to join BBRC
The British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) has appointed skilled rarity-finder Richard Patient as a voting member following the retirement of David Fairhurst. Cambridgeshire-based and widely known in the birding community, Patient brings decades of recording experience and numerous county and international rarities to the committee.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The BBRC has confirmed the appointment of Richard Patient as a full voting member of the committee, following the retirement of long-serving member David Fairhurst:
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
The Arctic Skua, one of two Skua species covered by the SMP.
Look out for the adult's prominent 'pointed tail spike' and their variable colour gradations, caused by mixed breeding pairs of pale and dark morph individuals! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Look out for the adult's prominent 'pointed tail spike' and their variable colour gradations, caused by mixed breeding pairs of pale and dark morph individuals! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Arctic Skua, one of two Skua species covered by the SMP.
Look out for the adult's prominent 'pointed tail spike' and their variable colour gradations, caused by mixed breeding pairs of pale and dark morph individuals! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Look out for the adult's prominent 'pointed tail spike' and their variable colour gradations, caused by mixed breeding pairs of pale and dark morph individuals! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
First visit to my patch at East Wretham Heath in over a week. Beautiful morning. Langmere completely dry and rotovated to stimulate rare plant. Ringmere water level dropping rapidly. Manage to scrape 33 species for @birdtrack.bsky.social list. First Fieldfares of the autumn here.
#Norfolkbirding
#Norfolkbirding
November 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
First visit to my patch at East Wretham Heath in over a week. Beautiful morning. Langmere completely dry and rotovated to stimulate rare plant. Ringmere water level dropping rapidly. Manage to scrape 33 species for @birdtrack.bsky.social list. First Fieldfares of the autumn here.
#Norfolkbirding
#Norfolkbirding
Thank you, Ian! We're really going to miss you on the panel - your broad knowledge of birds and habitats, questioning mind and great company have made you a wonderful person to work with.
After 25 years on the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, Dr Ian Francis stepped down last week. Ian has made an amazing contribution to the RBBP’s work, and he will be missed hugely. However, we hope this will give him more time to find rare breeding birds in Northeast Scotland and elsewhere!
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Thank you, Ian! We're really going to miss you on the panel - your broad knowledge of birds and habitats, questioning mind and great company have made you a wonderful person to work with.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We are saddened to hear of the death of Patrick Stirling-Aird, who for many decades was a leading light in the monitoring and conservation of raptors. It was a honour to work with Patrick on the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme; we will miss him immensely. raptormonitoring.org/about-the-sr...
November 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
We are saddened to hear of the death of Patrick Stirling-Aird, who for many decades was a leading light in the monitoring and conservation of raptors. It was a honour to work with Patrick on the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme; we will miss him immensely. raptormonitoring.org/about-the-sr...
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Give the gift of nature this Christmas! 🎄🐦 With a BTO gift membership, your loved one can discover the curiosities of birds and their world with a full year of BTO membership, plus a book and a BTO beanie. 😀 Order today ➡️ www.bto.org/GiftMembership
November 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Give the gift of nature this Christmas! 🎄🐦 With a BTO gift membership, your loved one can discover the curiosities of birds and their world with a full year of BTO membership, plus a book and a BTO beanie. 😀 Order today ➡️ www.bto.org/GiftMembership
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
The Rare Breeding Birds Panel hard at work during their annual in-person meeting, at Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland, today.
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The Rare Breeding Birds Panel hard at work during their annual in-person meeting, at Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland, today.
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
I've taken on a couple of new WeBS @webs-gsmp.bsky.social sites this autumn, one hasn't been counted in my lifetime and the other was my childhood patch. Both had Great Egrets this weekend, unthinkable back in their/my day! #shropshirebirding @btobirds.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I've taken on a couple of new WeBS @webs-gsmp.bsky.social sites this autumn, one hasn't been counted in my lifetime and the other was my childhood patch. Both had Great Egrets this weekend, unthinkable back in their/my day! #shropshirebirding @btobirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Record breaker!
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Record breaker!
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
The story of the oldest Black-tailed Godwit in Britain/Ireland is told in a @washwader.bsky.social blog:
wwrg.org.uk/blog
Ringed when John Major was PrimeMinister!
#UKbirding
After a day indoors yesterday, a day out in the field was just what was needed. Beautiful weather, quality time with friends and some good birds. Three Arctic Terns, Slav Grebes, Shorelark, Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, American Golden Plover, Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis.
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
After a day indoors yesterday, a day out in the field was just what was needed. Beautiful weather, quality time with friends and some good birds. Three Arctic Terns, Slav Grebes, Shorelark, Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, American Golden Plover, Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis.
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
Today I collected an audio recorder I left in the Fens with the aim of getting some nice Wigeon recordings. Incredibly it also picked up this Richard's Pipit flying through on the morning of 6th November! xeno-canto.org/1053297 #UKBirding
XC1053297 Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi)
12 flight calls
xeno-canto.org
November 8, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Today I collected an audio recorder I left in the Fens with the aim of getting some nice Wigeon recordings. Incredibly it also picked up this Richard's Pipit flying through on the morning of 6th November! xeno-canto.org/1053297 #UKBirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:
Whooper Swans hit hard as bird-flu outbreak worsens
The number of sick, dying or dead birds being reported has been increasing in recent weeks, according to the British Trust for Ornithology, with Whooper Swans particularly affected.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
If you're out doing your @webs-gsmp.bsky.social counts this weekend, remember to record & report any dead or sick birds you find (info in the link). Bird flu cases are rising.
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides
#UKbirding
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides
#UKbirding
November 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
If you're out doing your @webs-gsmp.bsky.social counts this weekend, remember to record & report any dead or sick birds you find (info in the link). Bird flu cases are rising.
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides
#UKbirding
www.bto.org/our-work/new...
📷 Dead Whooper Swan, by Kane Brides
#UKbirding
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.
November 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.
Really enjoyed the @btobirds.bsky.social South West Conference at Duchy College in Cornwall today. Brilliant talks and great to catch up with so many people. Very well organised by Simon, Ocea and Eve. Thank you!
November 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Really enjoyed the @btobirds.bsky.social South West Conference at Duchy College in Cornwall today. Brilliant talks and great to catch up with so many people. Very well organised by Simon, Ocea and Eve. Thank you!