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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer
@debalmer.bsky.social
3.1K followers 4.1K following 340 posts
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.
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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 1h
Beautiful morning for a pre-work walk at East Wretham Heath. My first Redwing (21) and Pochard (2) of the autumn, also 10 Crossbill feeding in Larch and four Woodlark (one singing).
#NorfolkBirding
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
birdguides.bsky.social
BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 1d
Birders across the UK are being encouraged to take part in the BTO's new Winter Bird Survey, designed to provide a clearer picture of how the nation's birds are faring outside the breeding season:
Volunteers needed to help map Britain's winter birds
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.
bit.ly
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
bbs-birds.bsky.social
Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 2d
(1/) Two species that feature in the Woodland Wild Bird Indicators are Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch. Whereas Long-tailed Tit has increased by 91% across the UK since 1970, Bullfinch has declined by 53% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch.
1 8 27
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 2d
1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side!

In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a Cormorant photographed by John Harding/BTO (left) and a Shag photographed by Liz Cutting/BTO (right). The species are labelled with their English and Latin names, Phalacrocorax carbo and Phalacrocorax aristotelis, respectively. Each image is labelled with key identifying features. For the Cormorant, these are: 'Heavy bill and a gradually sloped forehead', 'White chin', 'Blue sheen', 'White patch on thigh', and 'Variable amounts of white in the neck'. For the Shag, these are: 'Breeding crest', 'Green sheen', 'Lacks white in chin and neck', and 'Light bill and a steeply sloped forehead'. The Seabird Monitoring Programme logo is found in the bottom right hand corner. The caption reads: '1/ 1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side! In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 4d
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️

📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Image of a deceased Puffin lying on the ground. White wording on an orange background reads: Please report sightings of dead birds.
1 53 43
debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 4d
Think it's my biggest count ever!
debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 4d
Afternoon at WWT Welney as planned. Missed the flock of Glossy Ibis but very impressed with 158 Ruff from the Main Obs. Also Garganey, 13 Pink-feet, 196 Wigeon, 675 Mallard, 17 Pintail, 7 Cattle Egret, 5 resident Whooper Swans
#NorfolkBirding
2 2 38
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 6d
Exciting news! We’re planning the upcoming Bird Atlas 2027-31, and have met with @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social and @birdsinwales.bsky.social to discuss how we can work together on what we hope will be the most productive Atlas yet. #Ornithology #UKBirding
A group photo of the BTO and BirdWatch Ireland team together on the top of a cliff with green vegetation in the foreground and blue sea in the background. A group photo of the BTO and SOC team together sitting on a bench and standing in front of a wood timber building. A group photo of the BTO and WOS team together standing in front of a building with a small tree behind them.
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 8d
Yes, that's right!
You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a Black Guillemot photographed by Edmund Fellowes/BTO with a thought bubble extending from its head and the internal text 'Just one month to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP!'. The SMP logo is positioned in the top left hand corner. The caption reads: 'Yes, that's right! You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds'
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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 6d
Good observations, Hugh! We have a Methods working group headed up by @simongillings.bsky.social so we'll be considering these kinds of things, and more! We collected breeding evidence outside of the core TTV period last time to capture early and late breeders.
debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 6d
Very exciting! Who can believe it's nearly time for another atlas? Looking forward to taking part with fieldwork starting on 1 November 2027.
btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 6d
Exciting news! We’re planning the upcoming Bird Atlas 2027-31, and have met with @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social and @birdsinwales.bsky.social to discuss how we can work together on what we hope will be the most productive Atlas yet. #Ornithology #UKBirding
A group photo of the BTO and BirdWatch Ireland team together on the top of a cliff with green vegetation in the foreground and blue sea in the background. A group photo of the BTO and SOC team together sitting on a bench and standing in front of a wood timber building. A group photo of the BTO and WOS team together standing in front of a building with a small tree behind them.
2 2 19
debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 6d
Nice one, Dave!
1
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
westcoastbirds.bsky.social
West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · 6d
Fantastic to find 2 American Golden Plovers on Dale Airfield, Pembrokeshire, this afternoon. Such an elegant wader. #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK
American Golden Plover American Golden Plovers American Golden Plovers American Golden Plovers
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
bbs-birds.bsky.social
Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 7d
(4/) The BBS trend for Turtle Dove shows a similar story, with a 98% decline across the UK between 1995 and 2023. You can explore more about the Wild Bird Indicators, including those for other habitats, on this page: www.gov.uk/government/s...
Turtle Dove and trend graph.
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
bbs-birds.bsky.social
Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 7d
(2/) The BBS trend for the subtly marked Stock Dove shows a 51% increase across the UK between 1995 and 2023. You can find out more about this often overlooked farmland bird on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/about-...
Stock Dove and trend graph.
1 3 9
Reposted by Dawn Balmer
bbs-birds.bsky.social
Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 7d
(3/) The long-term decline of Turtle Dove across the UK really seemed to start in the late 1970s. Find out more about the possible reasons for the decline of this iconic species with its distinctive, purring song here: www.bto.org/learn/about-...
Turtle Dove and trend graph.
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
bbs-birds.bsky.social
Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 7d
(1/) The Wild Bird Indicators were recently updated. Whilst Stock Dove increased by 165% between 1970 and 2023 across the UK, Turtle Dove declined by 99% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience
Images of Stock Dove and Turtle Dove.
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Reposted by Dawn Balmer
btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 8d
More spaces added for this FREE walk this weekend for young bird and nature enthusiasts with BTO Youth and @essexbirdnews.bsky.social! Sign up ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/eve... #EssexBirding @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
btoengland.bsky.social
BTO England @btoengland.bsky.social · 21d
Join BTO Youth and @essexbirdnews.bsky.social for a Wetland Bird Survey walk on 4 October. ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

The event is FREE and open to young people between the ages of 12 and 25. #EssexBirding @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
A Black-tailed Godwit wades in shallow water. Wording reads: WeBS & Waders Walk. Two Tree Island Essex. Saturday 4th October. 10:00 - 14:00. Open to 12-25 year olds. Free entry. www.bto.org/youth-events
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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 8d
Hope it was a good visit!
debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 8d
Completed visit one of the Winter Bird Survey on my @bbs-birds.bsky.social square in Thetford Forest. 28 species, plus 2 extra on the walk in (Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker). Highlight a singing Woodlark. Good to record a Bullfinch, only had 4 records in 32 years of BBS here!
#NorfolkBirding
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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 9d
Nice one @greg-conway.bsky.social
1
debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 9d
Ringmere still has water so I'll be checking this more regularly. Once found a Pec here so some hope!
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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 9d
Still a little bit of water on the southern side of Langmere but it will be gone in a few days. 5 Snipe, few Mallard, Teal and Shoveler this evening
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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 9d
That happened a bit quicker than expected but the main body of Langmere at East Wretham Heath is now dry. With these unusual water bodies filled by the water table it's hard to know when it might fill again. Last time it was April when it started filling but could be longer. #NorfolkBirding
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debalmer.bsky.social
Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 11d
Thanks Jonny