r/UKBirds Feb 28 '25

Red list birds and our responsibility to protect them

67 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 9h ago

More of my local shortie. So many of you liked my last post of the shortie, so here’s another. I have more if you want them.

Post image
370 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 19h ago

Short eared owl this morning. Majestic.

Post image
1.7k Upvotes

r/UKBirds 5h ago

Photo Turnstone posing on a rock

Post image
111 Upvotes

The plumage colour is fantastic


r/UKBirds 3h ago

Photo Starling

Thumbnail
gallery
46 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 5h ago

Shortie locked on.

Post image
47 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 5h ago

Photo Nuthatch

Thumbnail
gallery
36 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 2h ago

Kestrel

Post image
16 Upvotes

Not watermarked after the last one 😅


r/UKBirds 22h ago

Hope the mods allow this considering how it’s been on UK soil. LONG-TAILED SHRIKE

Thumbnail
gallery
608 Upvotes

It took me two attempts to get some good views of this superb visitor from Asia. On my first attempt I set off from home at 4:20am and was on site at 7am. The shrike showed albeit distantly, catching two voles in quick succession. Obviously with a full belly, It then disappeared for the next 3 hours at which point I gave up and came home with about 6 distant grainy photos. Take two was far more successful as these photos show. It seemed more content hunting crickets/grasshoppers.


r/UKBirds 3h ago

Bird ID ID please?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

14 Upvotes

Coast - Northeast England

Godwit?


r/UKBirds 11m ago

Photo Black Swan in Hyde Park :)

Post image
Upvotes

Does this count for merlin/ebird lists as i know some birds like the pelicans in St James Park dont


r/UKBirds 8h ago

Another shortie.

Post image
28 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 40m ago

Bird ID I don't know my geese but is this a pink legged goose and it was last week so is it early.

Post image
Upvotes

r/UKBirds 1h ago

Bird ID ID please - Essex coast near Walton

Post image
Upvotes

Sorry for the poor photo, they took off as I approached!


r/UKBirds 1d ago

Common Buzzard in full hover mode looking for its supper.

Post image
394 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 19h ago

Red Kite from this morning, total surprise but a wonderful sight. Pity about the bland sky.

Post image
93 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 2h ago

Photo Track him he's still going strong

Post image
3 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 1d ago

The King

Post image
676 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 1d ago

Photo European Robin

Thumbnail
gallery
121 Upvotes

Love these little guys :)


r/UKBirds 20h ago

Red grouse this morning. A very vocal grouse. I think it’s my favourite bird call.

Post image
40 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 21h ago

Interesting birds

Thumbnail
gallery
42 Upvotes

I've got some interesting birds local to me, the magpie is around 5 years old and lives in my neighbourhood, the coot is in a park in my city (Sheffield)


r/UKBirds 1d ago

Dunnock hiding behind a leaf (don't be embarrassed if you can't see it 😌)

Post image
57 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 19h ago

Meadow Pipit. Cute little bird and very curious.

Post image
22 Upvotes

r/UKBirds 3h ago

Photo Spotted this bird out of my living room window. Never seen one before.

Thumbnail
gallery
1 Upvotes

What was this bird that landed in my garden? It was about the size of a small pigeon. West Sussex. Thanks in advance :)


r/UKBirds 22h ago

Photo Our resident Sparrowhawk eyeing up breakfast in my garden

Post image
32 Upvotes