Latest news with #BirdGuides
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Anyone with blackbirds in their garden asked to take action
The Usutu virus has spread through blackbirds in southern England, with the British Trust for Ornithology asking people to sign up to a survey in a bid to save the bird population The lethal Usutu virus—a mosquito-spread disease that's been targeting Blackbirds in southern England—has sparked serious concerns among wildlife experts. First identified on UK soil in 2020, the virus has spread to as far west as Dorset and has reached Cambridgeshire up north. Hailing from Southern Africa, Usutu arrived in Europe three decades ago and has since caused several significant mortality episodes amongst Blackbird populations, according to Bird Guides. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is now urging people with gardens hosting blackbirds to participate in a special survey. The survey aims to assess the full impact of the crisis and offer much-needed aid. While the risk to humans remains minimal – with no cases documented in Britain – the consequences for our feathered friends are drastic. Reports suggest that the Blackbird numbers in Greater London have nosedived by up to 40% after Usutu took hold following the 2020 heatwave. Dr Arran Folly of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has sounded the alarm about Usutu's swift advance and enduring occurrence, hinting it could be a harbinger of other mosquito-borne diseases making their way to the UK. "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK," he warned, reports Devon Live. Attributed to climate change, expansions in mosquito populations are being driven by rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating perfect breeding grounds for the insects and their pathogens to thrive in new areas. In collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), APHA researchers are set to investigate Usutu's impact on Britain's birds. At the same time, the BTO is calling on the public to help monitor the situation by reporting any sightings of Blackbirds. "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact," said a spokesperson from the BTO. Despite Blackbird numbers holding steady in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous monitoring. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for future emerging diseases. The BTO commented: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens survey help? The BTO is conducting a survey to delve into the potential for disease transmission among Blackbirds in gardens, focusing on their congregation patterns. The organisation explained that this research will shed light on how Blackbird populations utilise various garden types and their breeding success across different urbanisation levels. The BTO highlighted the significance of the study in light of emerging diseases, stating: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." They further elaborated on the broader context of the research, noting: "Using Usutu virus and Blackbirds as a case study, this survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a wider partnership project funded by the UKRI and Defra to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK more generally which are expected to increase with climate change." Additionally, the BTO outlined the objectives of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, including: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." The survey is set to run until September 2025. How to sign up to the survey You can sign up for Blackbirds in Gardens online. You will need a My BTO account to sign up. If you don't already have one, you can create a free account.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Anyone who has blackbirds in gardens urged to take 'immediate' action
A public appeal has been launched to protect the blackbird population following reports of a deadly virus decimating the animals People who have blackbirds in their gardens have been urged to take "immediate" action following reports that large numbers of the animals have fallen victim to a lethal virus. The Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne disease originally from southern Africa, was first detected in the UK in 2020 and has been affecting the blackbird population in southern England, with cases reaching as far north as Cambridgeshire. The virus, which made its way into Europe 30 years ago and was responsible for many blackbird deaths there, was also linked to a 40 per cent plunge in the blackbird population in Greater London, according to Bird Guides. Usutu is said to cause minimal risk to humans. The alarming rate of death has sparked concern among conservationists, with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) urging people with gardens and blackbirds to participate in a special survey to determine the scale of the impact and provide necessary assistance. Dr Arran Folly, a senior research scientist at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has voiced concerns about the persistent nature of the virus, warning that it could be a precursor to other mosquito-transmitted diseases arriving in the UK. He warned: "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK." Attributed to climate change, mosquito populations are expanding due to rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating ideal conditions for both the insects and their pathogens to thrive in previously inhospitable areas. As well as the public appeal to help monitor and report any blackbird sightings, researchers from the BTO and APHA are joining forces to investigate the effects of the Usutu virus on native bird species, reports Devon Live. A BTO spokesman said: "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact." While blackbird numbers remain stable in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous observation. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for potential future diseases. The BTO added: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens help? The BTO is conducting a survey to gain insight into the potential for disease transmission by blackbirds in gardens. The study aims to determine how the number of birds gathering together in gardens affects the transmission of diseases. Furthermore, it will examine how blackbirds utilise different types of gardens and their success in raising young, particularly in varying levels of urbanisation, from rural to urban gardens. According to the BTO: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." The survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a broader partnership project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The project aims to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK, which are expected to increase with climate change. The BTO stated: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." In order to take part in the survey, you will need to create a 'My BTO' account, which you can do so by clicking here and selecting 'Register'. Once that's done, click here to go to the survey.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Species of tropical bird among rarest sightings across Dorset during the 2020s
A number of rare birds have been spotted around Dorset in the 2020s, including a tropical species usually found in the Galapagos Islands. The likes of the Red-footed booby, Eleonora's Falcon and Yelkouan Shearwater have made appearances in the last few years. Keen birdwatchers have been out snapping and recording their sightings, hoping to capture some rarer finds. Some of these sightings have been reported on the Bird Guides map, where you can look for where rare birds have been around the UK. The Red-footed booby is a variant of the more common Blue-footed booby, and it is usually found around 6,000 miles away from the UK in the Galapagos Islands. However, it has on a couple of occasions reportedly been spotted in Dorset, including in Portland in August 2021. Don't twitch much these days so it was a huge bonus when the Red footed Booby reappeared on the Bishop this afternoon #Scilly — Lee (@Bluetail007) October 8, 2023 It took a few more years for another keen birdwatcher to spot one within the county. In June 2024, one was spotted around 800 metres offshore from Worbarrow Bay. Eleonora's Falcon has been spotted on a few occasions around Dorset in the last five years, starting in 2020. Honestly, the Eleonora's Falcon in Kent might be my favourite twitch of all time. WHAT A BIRD! — Simon Mitchell (@perilsofbirding) June 1, 2022 It was reportedly first seen near Lytchett Bay in September of that year, before another couple of possible viewings in August 2021 near Cogden Beach and Tyneham. According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), it is an "extremely rare visitor to Britain & Ireland". Its breeding season is usually around July to August to take advantage of migrating birds travelling past its Mediterranean breeding colonies. A Yelkouan Shearwater was spotted a couple of times in 2020 (Image: Getty Images) The Yelkouan Shearwater is the Mediterranean counterpart of the Manx Shearwater, according to the British Trust for Ornithology. It is said to be an "extremely rare visitor to British & Irish waters" with its unique name deriving from the Turkish word 'Yelkovan', which means 'wind-chaser'. According to the Birds Guide map, it was spotted twice in Dorset in 2020, with both occasions being in July. An individual was seen among a group of Balearic Shearwaters near to Chesil Cove and Portland. A cluster of sightings of Forster's Terns have been reported in Dorset in 2024 and 2025 (Image: Getty Images) The Forster's Tern is a "rare visitor from North America", according to the BTO, with it being recorded sporadically around the winter months. In appearance, it is similar to the Common Tern, but with a pale orange bill. Sightings mostly correlate with returning individuals, which seems to be the case in Dorset. A cluster of reports were made around Poole, Brownsea Island and Arne RSPB in late March and April 2024. Again in 2025, a cluster of sightings were made in April in similar areas as well as Lytchett Bay. Recommended reading: Rare black-tailed godwit birds spotted at RSPB Arne in Dorset Rare crested bird from Eurasia spotted in Dorset back garden Migratory Winter Snow Bunting spotted at Hamworthy Park Only one sighting of the Short-toed Snake Eagle has been recorded in the county in the last five years. A Short-toed Snake Eagle has been spotted just once in Dorset in the 2020s (Image: Getty Images) According to the eBird website, it is a "large, slightly ungainly raptor with long and very broad wings, a shortish tail, and a conspicuously big head". It adds: "Pale belly and underwings contrast with the darker head in most adults, but juveniles have pale heads. All age groups have a tendency to look a bit dishevelled." The bird is mostly seen around mainland Europe, very rarely venturing over to the UK. One was found injured on the beach near Hengistbury Head in October 2020 and was taken into care.
The Herald Scotland
27-04-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Red-footed booby among rarest birds spotted in Dorset in 2020s
The likes of the Red-footed booby, Eleonora's Falcon and Yelkouan Shearwater have made appearances in the last few years. Keen birdwatchers have been out snapping and recording their sightings, hoping to capture some rarer finds. Some of these sightings have been reported on the Bird Guides map, where you can look for where rare birds have been around the UK. Native wild animals in the UK Rare birds spotted around Dorset in the 2020s Red-footed booby The Red-footed booby is a variant of the more common Blue-footed booby, and it is usually found around 6,000 miles away from the UK in the Galapagos Islands. However, it has on a couple of occasions reportedly been spotted in Dorset, including in Portland in August 2021. Don't twitch much these days so it was a huge bonus when the Red footed Booby reappeared on the Bishop this afternoon #Scilly — Lee (@Bluetail007) October 8, 2023 It took a few more years for another keen birdwatcher to spot one within the county. In June 2024, one was spotted around 800 metres offshore from Worbarrow Bay. Eleonora's Falcon Eleonora's Falcon has been spotted on a few occasions around Dorset in the last five years, starting in 2020. Honestly, the Eleonora's Falcon in Kent might be my favourite twitch of all time. WHAT A BIRD! — Simon Mitchell (@perilsofbirding) June 1, 2022 It was reportedly first seen near Lytchett Bay in September of that year, before another couple of possible viewings in August 2021 near Cogden Beach and Tyneham. According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), it is an "extremely rare visitor to Britain & Ireland". Its breeding season is usually around July to August to take advantage of migrating birds travelling past its Mediterranean breeding colonies. Yelkouan Shearwater A Yelkouan Shearwater was spotted a couple of times in 2020 (Image: Getty Images) The Yelkouan Shearwater is the Mediterranean counterpart of the Manx Shearwater, according to the British Trust for Ornithology. It is said to be an "extremely rare visitor to British & Irish waters" with its unique name deriving from the Turkish word 'Yelkovan', which means 'wind-chaser'. According to the Birds Guide map, it was spotted twice in Dorset in 2020, with both occasions being in July. An individual was seen among a group of Balearic Shearwaters near to Chesil Cove and Portland. Forster's Tern A cluster of sightings of Forster's Terns have been reported in Dorset in 2024 and 2025 (Image: Getty Images) The Forster's Tern is a "rare visitor from North America", according to the BTO, with it being recorded sporadically around the winter months. In appearance, it is similar to the Common Tern, but with a pale orange bill. Sightings mostly correlate with returning individuals, which seems to be the case in Dorset. A cluster of reports were made around Poole, Brownsea Island and Arne RSPB in late March and April 2024. Again in 2025, a cluster of sightings were made in April in similar areas as well as Lytchett Bay. Recommended reading: Short-toed Snake Eagle Only one sighting of the Short-toed Snake Eagle has been recorded in the county in the last five years. A Short-toed Snake Eagle has been spotted just once in Dorset in the 2020s (Image: Getty Images) According to the eBird website, it is a "large, slightly ungainly raptor with long and very broad wings, a shortish tail, and a conspicuously big head". It adds: "Pale belly and underwings contrast with the darker head in most adults, but juveniles have pale heads. All age groups have a tendency to look a bit dishevelled." The bird is mostly seen around mainland Europe, very rarely venturing over to the UK. One was found injured on the beach near Hengistbury Head in October 2020 and was taken into care.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rare bird of prey among birds spotted soaring over Wiltshire
Rare birds such as the Hen Harrier and Firecrest have been spotted across Wiltshire since the start of 2025, according to birdwatchers. The county is a great place for bird spotting due to its grasslands, river valleys and lakes which play home to a wide range of bird species throughout the seasons. During the first few weeks of 2025, various birds have been spotted soaring across the skies, according to BirdGuides and the Wiltshire Ornithological Society. This rare bird of prey is usually found in moorland landscapes. They are rare because of illegal killing and disturbance, and Natural England monitors their numbers closely, tags individual birds to track their whereabouts. The Siberian Chiffchaff is a rare but regular visitor to the UK, however by the time late winter arrives, it is rarely spotted. Most are found along the north and south coasts of Wales, with experts saying that just a handful are recorded inland. The hawfinch is the largest finch, but despite its size it's also the hardest to find. It's a red-listed species in the UK, with a population that may number fewer than a thousand breeding pairs, say The Wildlife Trust. Ring-necked ducks are rare visitor from North America, with around only 10 to 15 birds recorded annually in the UK. The British Trust for Ornithology say it is a 'rare, but regular, visitor from North America, with many individuals apparently re-appearing at the same site in multiple years'. Recommended reading: Gardening society to host birds of prey talk Look to the skies for rare and special birds at English Heritage sites Meet the Wiltshire couple who take their parrots out and about The Firecrest is a rare bird in the UK, though its population is slowly increasing. Compared to the Goldcrest, the Firecrest is brighter and 'cleaner' looking, with a green back, white belly, bronze 'collar' and a black and white eye-stripe. Firecrest is a rare bird in the UK. (Image: Getty Images) Caspian gulls are uncommon visitors to the UK, but their numbers are increasing. They are mostly seen in the south and east of the country, especially in the winter. Caspian gulls are uncommon visitors. (Image: Getty Images) Short-eared owls are considered rare breeding birds in the UK and are listed as Amber on the UK's Birds of Conservation Concern list. It is a ground-nesting species, in Britain favouring mixed rough grasslands and moors, though also breeding in rough grassland, marshes and coastal sand dunes. Across the UK, more than 600,000 people took part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch last year, with a whopping 9.7 million birds counted.
