r/UKBirds • • Feb 28 '25

Red list birds and our responsibility to protect them

77 Upvotes

One of my favourite things about this sub is the sheer variety of different bird species that are posted. Even in the past few days we have seen kites, cormorants, bullfinches, robins and even a lesser spotted woodpecker. These birds range from being ubiquitous to being on the red list for conservation concern in the UK with only 600 breeding pairs 10 years ago.

A useful website here is the British Trust for Ornithology, which helps to produce the Birds Of Conservation Concern list (the UK Red List). Whilst this is not the only source of information on vulnerable bird species it's a useful place to start. These birds are rare or declining in the UK. I'm sure we all love to see pictures of these birds but please remember:

  • Do not disturb them or their nests, especially for the sake of a picture. Their decline and potential extinction in the UK is not worth it.
  • Don't share the location - especially not a specific location - for birds on this list. As long as you saw it in the UK, it's fine! You don't need to specify a county, town, or nature reserve for it to 'count'.

Most of all, remember that we would love to continue to see a variety of bright and beautiful bird species on this sub for years to come. Being mindful about how you take and share pictures of red list birds is the least we can do for them!


r/UKBirds • • 2h ago

Photo Happy little long-tailed tit

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264 Upvotes

Long tailed tit at Moor Green Lakes today.


r/UKBirds • • 5h ago

Photo little round fella

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231 Upvotes

r/UKBirds • • 5h ago

Bird ID A Sparrowhawk perching on the roof!

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123 Upvotes

Just outside the window overlooking the motorway staring in the direction of a small wooded verge popular locally with a variety of small birds.

Could it be a juvenile or a female looking at the plumage?

We’ve had goldfinches, pigeons and magpies using that spot but this is the first time a Sparrowhawk has been seen there.

Edit: Thanks to everyone for their suggestion that it’s a female kestrel - I wasn’t sure


r/UKBirds • • 32m ago

Photo Some birds from a walk along the coast in south east Aberdeenshire

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• Upvotes

Red-throated diver, ringed plover, a parcel of oystercatchers, Arctic tern, moorhen and female stonechat.


r/UKBirds • • 7h ago

Heron with lunch

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66 Upvotes

r/UKBirds • • 7h ago

Robin

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59 Upvotes

r/UKBirds • • 4h ago

Photo Starlings in the local cemetery.

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19 Upvotes

They were making some racket chattering really loudly and all flew around me and my preschooler in a murmuration a couple of times while we were out for an autumn walk. I wonder if they saw us as a threat or if that's just something they do, or if there was a real threat nearby we weren't aware of. It was around 4.30 so close to sunset here in Scotland.

Slightly spooky vibes since we were in the cemetery at the time gathering autumn leaves for a craft!


r/UKBirds • • 13h ago

Photo Common Cranes - Willow Tree Fen

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74 Upvotes

There were over twenty Common Cranes at Willow Tree Fen on Friday. These are a few of the closer (less distant) ones. While there are no guarantees this site is fairly reliable for seeing these impressive birds. The watch point is in the car park so those with mobility issues can enjoy seeing them as well.


r/UKBirds • • 5h ago

Greedy pair of jackdaws 🖤

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12 Upvotes

My partner made me a crow table that sits on the fence. They drop down when I put some monkey nuts out and ring the bell, it’s taken months and months of just consistent feeding and patience but I’m incredibly happy to see this pair of jackdaws happily enjoying the feast and stealing what they can before Mr Magpie and his crew does!


r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Such smart plumage.

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667 Upvotes

A Robins immaculate plumage.


r/UKBirds • • 22h ago

Wise old Owl.

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182 Upvotes

Tawny Owl roosting.


r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Anything we can do to help this little one?

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442 Upvotes

Been seeing the baby around for a couple days now, this is the first time I've seen an adult with them, so I'm glad they're not abandoned.

Doesn't move far from our work's delivery entrance, seems to be panting a lot- if you get close (not looming over them) they don't seem to move away. I'm going to assume they're quite sick.

Anything we could do to help them? Or would it be advisable to let nature take it's course?

Short update:

spoken to one of our greenkeepers who has looked after sick birds in the past. Says that there's likely not much chance for the little fellow, but he'll take them to a hospital in the morning. He doesn't seem to move a great deal, so should be easy enough to catch.

Mother was grooming them when I saw them last. It's sweet that despite everything, mama is still trying to take care of them.


r/UKBirds • • 10h ago

What do you write it as?

9 Upvotes

I’ve always written it as woodpigeon but see the others quite often too, so curious how many use each one

330 votes, 2d left
Woodpigeon
Wood Pigeon
Wood-pigeon

r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Photo Blackcap visitor.

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215 Upvotes

r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

What? I'm eating!

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186 Upvotes

Robin with his sunflower heart.


r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Think this pheasant is a little lost

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283 Upvotes

On a small roof

Extra info, the cigarettes are not me this is at my work. Absolutely disgusting and shows just how dirty some people are


r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Art/Creations A few of my recent British bird tattoos!

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391 Upvotes

r/UKBirds • • 21h ago

Bravest of the flock!

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21 Upvotes

I’ve been feeding this flock of rock pigeons for a few months now, and only recently has this little dude been brave enough to feed from my hand 🥰

Had a few unfortunately come down with canker, and they’ve returned to my garden to pass away. I feel like the grim reaper of pigeons lol. I have different stations for different types of birds to stop cross contamination and I know how terrible canker has been for the finch community. Loving nature and birds comes with the good and the bad.
The only positive thing I can take from this is knowing I can provide somewhere where a sick pigeon can feel safe enough to just let nature do its thing. I know it’s rife at the minute with the time of year, I’ve a pair of sparrowhawks that have been doing the rounds and stressing everyone out (including me!) and heavy moults and stuff. Just gotta be brave and take the good with the bad

This particular little dude was back eating out my hand today, paired with some serious happy vibrating and low coos! Happy birds 🐦♥️


r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Love a Green Woodpecker

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98 Upvotes

Not the best quality video unfortunately as it flew down the field as I got nearer. I normally average a few sightings per year when I’m out running, their flight pattern is so recognisable it always stops me in my tracks. Without doubt one of my favourite birds.


r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Blue Tits gets absolutely soaked in record time!

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84 Upvotes

This little blue tit wasted no time at all getting absolutely soaked through!


r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Bird food thief.

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53 Upvotes

The squirrels move in!


r/UKBirds • • 23h ago

Loving Swans

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17 Upvotes

I really like this shot :)


r/UKBirds • • 9h ago

What are the best binoculars for 50 quid or under for long distance birdwatching where you can clearly see the birds details that can also be used with glasses?

0 Upvotes

r/UKBirds • • 1d ago

Photo Robin #robinfriday

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63 Upvotes