The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
@ukrbbp.bsky.social
We encourage and support the recording of rare breeding birds in the UK, collate data in order to report annually on their numbers, trends and distribution, and maintain a secure archive to support conservation and research on these species.
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
New blog from BTO Senior Research Ecologist Ian Woodward for @ukrbbp.bsky.social delves into a new method for estimating breeding populations of Little Egrets. It discovered they were higher than previously thought – likely exceeding 2,000 pairs in the UK! #Ornithology
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Little Egret Population Estimates
Visit the post for more.
rbbp.org.uk
February 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM
New blog from BTO Senior Research Ecologist Ian Woodward for @ukrbbp.bsky.social delves into a new method for estimating breeding populations of Little Egrets. It discovered they were higher than previously thought – likely exceeding 2,000 pairs in the UK! #Ornithology
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Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
BLOG: Ian Woodward, senior research ecologist at @btobirds.bsky.social, describes how combining data from the RBBP and the BTO’s Heronries Census has improved our knowledge on the UK’s Little Egret population, as in new @britishbirds.bsky.social paper #birds #ornithology rbbp.org.uk/2026/01/30/l...
Little Egret Population Estimates
Producing population estimates for Little Egret
A paper in the January 2026 issue of British Birds has described a new approach to estimating the breeding population of Little Egrets in the UK, ...
rbbp.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 4:27 PM
BLOG: Ian Woodward, senior research ecologist at @btobirds.bsky.social, describes how combining data from the RBBP and the BTO’s Heronries Census has improved our knowledge on the UK’s Little Egret population, as in new @britishbirds.bsky.social paper #birds #ornithology rbbp.org.uk/2026/01/30/l...
BLOG: Ian Woodward, senior research ecologist at @btobirds.bsky.social, describes how combining data from the RBBP and the BTO’s Heronries Census has improved our knowledge on the UK’s Little Egret population, as in new @britishbirds.bsky.social paper #birds #ornithology rbbp.org.uk/2026/01/30/l...
Little Egret Population Estimates
Producing population estimates for Little Egret
A paper in the January 2026 issue of British Birds has described a new approach to estimating the breeding population of Little Egrets in the UK, ...
rbbp.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 4:27 PM
BLOG: Ian Woodward, senior research ecologist at @btobirds.bsky.social, describes how combining data from the RBBP and the BTO’s Heronries Census has improved our knowledge on the UK’s Little Egret population, as in new @britishbirds.bsky.social paper #birds #ornithology rbbp.org.uk/2026/01/30/l...
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
1/🧵 New BTO-led research sheds light on the number and range of Little Egrets with population estimates higher than previously thought – likely exceeding 2,000 pairs in the UK! 🙌 #Ornithology @britishbirds.bsky.social
📖 www.bto.org/little-egret...
📖 www.bto.org/little-egret...
January 22, 2026 at 11:54 AM
1/🧵 New BTO-led research sheds light on the number and range of Little Egrets with population estimates higher than previously thought – likely exceeding 2,000 pairs in the UK! 🙌 #Ornithology @britishbirds.bsky.social
📖 www.bto.org/little-egret...
📖 www.bto.org/little-egret...
Great to see RBBP data being used in work led by @btobirds.bsky.social that improves our knowledge on the status of Little Egrets in the UK… there are more than we thought!
BTO research sheds light on the numbers and geographical spread of the Little Egret #rewilding #nature #wildlife #biodiversity #ecology #environment #habitats #conservation #climatechange #birds insideecology.com/2026/01/19/b...
BTO research sheds light on the numbers and geographical spread of the Little Egret - Inside Ecology
Birdwatchers across the UK have been charting the rise and rise of the very distinctive Little Egret for decades, but scientists have been unable to accurately calculate the breeding population of thi...
insideecology.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Great to see RBBP data being used in work led by @btobirds.bsky.social that improves our knowledge on the status of Little Egrets in the UK… there are more than we thought!
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
4/Roseate Tern numbers fell from 154 pairs in 2022 to 118 in 2023 following deaths of 90 adults from bird flu in the 2022 breeding season. Although breeding numbers were lower than prior to bird flu, there are signs of hope with 2024 representing the second most successful breeding season on record.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
4/Roseate Tern numbers fell from 154 pairs in 2022 to 118 in 2023 following deaths of 90 adults from bird flu in the 2022 breeding season. Although breeding numbers were lower than prior to bird flu, there are signs of hope with 2024 representing the second most successful breeding season on record.
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
3/ However, there’s also some concerning news from the report. In northern Scotland, numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to just 16 pairs, the lowest total since the @ukrbbp.bsky.social began reporting in 1973.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
3/ However, there’s also some concerning news from the report. In northern Scotland, numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to just 16 pairs, the lowest total since the @ukrbbp.bsky.social began reporting in 1973.
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
2/A pair of Temminck’s Stint laid four eggs in 2023 but sadly the nest was washed out by rising water levels.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
2/A pair of Temminck’s Stint laid four eggs in 2023 but sadly the nest was washed out by rising water levels.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
The report also revealed 15 species reached record totals in 2023! This included White-tailed Eagle, with 160 pairs in the UK, and Marsh Harrier, which reached 500 pairs for the first time.
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
1/🧵 Two bird species bred in the UK in 2023 for the first time since the 1990s!
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
1/🧵 Two bird species bred in the UK in 2023 for the first time since the 1990s!
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
The latest report by @ukrbbp.bsky.social published in @britishbirds.bsky.social confirmed a pair of Hoopoes raised three young from a nest in Leicestershire and Rutland. #Ornithology
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM
1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
Our paper in December's @britishbirds.bsky.social describes success in using sound recording for detecting Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. We found Lesser Spots still present in woodlands where they have not been seen/heard for years. This is very exciting www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Woodpecker Network - Acoustic Monitoring for detection of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers
A forum to encourage and facilitate the study of woodpeckers in Britain and Ireland
www.woodpecker-network.org.uk
December 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Our paper in December's @britishbirds.bsky.social describes success in using sound recording for detecting Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. We found Lesser Spots still present in woodlands where they have not been seen/heard for years. This is very exciting www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Most other species near our 2,000 pr threshold are concentrated into relatively few breeding sites (e.g. Med Gull), or have a significant annual monitoring effort (e.g. Peregrine). These make data collation, often of a high % of the pop, comparatively easy. This certainly isn’t true for Willow Tit
November 25, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Most other species near our 2,000 pr threshold are concentrated into relatively few breeding sites (e.g. Med Gull), or have a significant annual monitoring effort (e.g. Peregrine). These make data collation, often of a high % of the pop, comparatively easy. This certainly isn’t true for Willow Tit
There was a good case, yes, but with a population nearly three times our threshold, we felt that this was too much mission creep, especially given our limited resources. Hopefully repeated national surveys will track the population, and more effectively than our data collation could.
November 25, 2025 at 10:31 PM
There was a good case, yes, but with a population nearly three times our threshold, we felt that this was too much mission creep, especially given our limited resources. Hopefully repeated national surveys will track the population, and more effectively than our data collation could.
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Mediterranean Gull, Mark Eaton
The RBBP collects data and reports upon all native species with UK breeding populations of fewer than 2,000 pairs. In addition, s...
rbbp.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Mediterranean Gull, Mark Eaton
The RBBP collects data and reports upon all native species with UK breeding populations of fewer than 2,000 pairs. In addition, s...
rbbp.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reposted by The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
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.
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 7:42 PM
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!
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...
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 The Rare Breeding Birds Panel
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology
A summary table of 2023 RBBP stats, giving population estimates and trends for these raptors and all rare breeding bird species, can be found at rbbp.org.uk/wp-content/u...
rbbp.org.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
A summary table of 2023 RBBP stats, giving population estimates and trends for these raptors and all rare breeding bird species, can be found at rbbp.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology