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 This page contains some of our top picks of recent wildlife-related news stories. If you come across a wildlife story that you think other visitors would be interested in, please email us at advice@birdfood.co.uk. Latest news...26/04/2013
Iron spheres in ears may help birds navigateBirds carry biological compasses in their ears that help them navigate as they migrate, a new study has suggested. 25/04/2013
Gardeners urged to let ivy flourish to save beesGrowing ivy in gardens may help to prevent the decline of honey bees, according to new research. 24/04/2013
Tweet of the Day: David Attenborough to present BBC Radio 4 birdsong seriesNaturalist will join other presenters for new weekday 90-second show at 5.58am highlighting songs of 265 UK birds. 22/04/2013
Walkers urged to spot Hen HarriersBird watchers and hillwalkers are being asked to keep an eye out for Hen Harriers in an attempt to conserve their numbers. 17/04/2013
Seabirds affected by second wave of sticky pollution 'could number thousands'Wildlife agencies warn that the numbers of birds affected could be far greater than those harmed earlier this year. 17/04/2013
Pine marten numbers recovering according to surveyOne of Scotland's rarest carnivores is showing signs of recovery after years of declining populations, a new report has suggested. 15/04/2013
British bluebells fail to bloomBluebells blanketing woodlands this time last year fail to show as chilly conditions prompt stalks to grow more slowly. 14/04/2013
Spring limps in at long last, but will the season bring birds, bees and blossom?After weeks of bitter cold, experts fear that tens of thousands of migrant species may have already perished on Britain's shores. 12/04/2013
RSPCA rescues dozens of birds covered in sticky substanceDozens of birds have been recovered from beaches in the south west covered in an oily substance, three months after more than 300 birds were affected by oil pollution, suspected to have seeped from chemical tankers. 10/04/2013
Rare birds struggle in cold springRare birds have been found dead in the latest sign of wildlife struggling to cope with the cold spring, conservationists have said. 09/04/2013
Cold winter forces owls to come out in the dayBarn owls are hunting during the day because they are so desperate for food after the hard winter and cold spring, according to conservationists. 04/04/2013
Food chain in disarray after changes in voles' boom-and-bust breeding cycleVoles have undergone a dramatic and perplexing change in the way they breed, scientist have found. 03/04/2013
This frozen spring has cost us the buzz of the English bumblebeeAs you may have noticed, it's far too cold for our beloved bumblebees, but here's what to do while we wait... 31/03/2013
Too cold for comfort: British weather having a serious effect on wildlifeThe seemingly never-ending winter means some animals won't see the spring. 30/03/2013
Freezing weather brings fresh perils for British wildlifePublic urged to help save mammals, birds and insects whose habitats and food supplies have come under pressure. 28/03/2013
Endangered garden birds continuing to decline in the UK, RSPB survey showsHouse sparrow and starling numbers dropping at alarming rate, but prolonged winter brings new species to backyards. 26/03/2013
Butterflies suffered in cold and wet 2012, says charityButterflies suffered in last year's wet and cold weather, having their worst year since 1976, a charity says. 25/03/2013
Falcons 'rapidly evolved' hunting skillsFalcons rapidly evolved their renowned hunting skills, a study has found. 19/03/2013
First osprey to arrive in UK flies in from Africa - straight into a blizzardThe first osprey to arrive in the UK this year has flown in from Africa earlier than ever - straight into a blizzard - sparking hope that 'false nests' to encourage more of the rare birds to breed in England may prove successful at last. 19/03/2013
Nature lies dormant ahead of first day of springConservationists report lack of budding plants, animals returning to hibernation and migrating birds held back by wintry weather. 18/03/2013
Swallows [Cliff Swallows] are evolving to avoid cars and trucks, study findsCollisions with road vehicles are driving a population of swallows to evolve into faster, more agile fliers with shortened wings. 14/03/2013
Summer's early birds risk their return from wintering groundsOver the next few weeks, more and more migrant species will join the few who have already begun to arrive in the UK. 13/03/2013
A revelation in Kew: these gardens are not just a landscape, but a soundscape, tooWhat does birdsong mean? On a trip to Kew with naturalist and writer Mark Cocker, our writer found out. 5/03/2013
Mammal Society photographer of the year competition - in picturesA leaping brown rat, an engaging urban fox and surfing seal are among the winning entries in the 2013 Mammal Society photographer of the year competition. 03/2013
Snowy owl spotted in CairngormsA rare sighting of a snowy owl has been made in the Cairngorms. The birds of prey are native to Arctic regions, including parts of Norway and North America. 12/02/2013
Albatross astonishes scientists by producing chick at age of 62Veteran seabird known as Wisdom confounds wildlife community with more offspring on Pacific atoll. 04/02/2013
Sensitive males provide clues to mind reading in birdsMale Jays may have the ability to understand what their partners are thinking. 04/02/2013
Many more seabirds may be affected by Channel pollution, RSPB saysCharity says birdwatchers on Chesil beach in Dorset spotted what they believed were many seabirds covered in pollutant. 03/02/2013
We need to save our prickly friendsWith fewer than a million hedgehogs left, John Lister-Kaye makes a plea for changes that will protect them. 01/02/2013
British moths in calamitous decline, major new study revealsMoths are vanishing from our skies at night, declining in southern Britain by 40% over 40 years, a major new report reveals. 31/01/2013
Mystery of owls' rotating necks solvedThe mystery of how owls can rotate their necks almost 270 degrees without suffering serious harm has been solved by scientists. 30/01/2013
What's the best way to survive winter?Ask a butterfly, because they know better than most. 29/01/2013
Hedgehog population in dramatic declineOnce common sightings of hedgehogs are becoming rare in the UK's gardens, parks and hedgerows, say ecologists. 28/01/2013
Ask Chris Packham your winter wildlife questions
Wildlife expert and Winterwatch presenter, Chris Packham is making his way to Blue Peter on Thursday 31st January 2013 to answer YOUR questions! Visit this link to find out how to place your question to Chris. 25/01/2013
Mistle Thrushes 'missing' from UK gardensMistle Thrushes have disappeared from UK gardens at a "staggering" rate, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. 22/01/2013
Top 10 places to go birdwatching in winterA picture story highlighting ten great winter birdwatching spots. 22/01/2013
Penguin headcam captures bird's eye view of huntMiniature cameras attached to a penguin's head by Japanese scientists reveal more about the creature's impressive underwater hunting skills. 16/01/2013
In the bitter cold, under a starry sky, a glimpse of a bird of mysteryThe Woodcock may be Britain's most secretive bird, but with the help of a leading expert it's possible to spot them on their nightly rounds. 12/01/2013
Major rescue operation launched to save family of swansA major rescue operation involving 10 firefighters and coastguards was launched to rescue a family of swans. 10/01/2013
Wintering BlackcapsThe Blackcap is a new bird in our midst. Take the chance to get to know it. 09/01/2013
Dawn chorus comes weeks earlyThe dawn chorus has come weeks early this year following the mild temperatures, but the birds may stop singing soon as the Met Office forecasts a cold snap. 08/01/2013
Songbirds 'possess a musical instrument more complex than anything found in an orchestra'Songbirds possess a musical instrument more complex than anything found in an orchestra, a study has confirmed. 07/01/2013
'Bloated' ducks in danger after over-indulging on white breadToo much white bread can leave ducks bloated, ill and in danger from predators as they gorge on the starchy food instead of their usual nutritious meals, experts have warned. 06/01/2013
Floods and wet weather could spell poor year for wildlife in 2013Many of Britain's best loved animals and birds are likely to be less abundant this year after suffering heavy losses in the deluge of rain and flooding over the past few months. 04/01/2013
Wildlife crime unit faces extinction over funding crisisConcern about future of crucial work preventing smuggling and cruelty against animals. 27/12/2012
Birds come down to earth in the year of the slugA record wet April was followed by the wettest summer since 1912, creating soggy conditions ideal for molluscs. 14/12/2012
Here from Lapland for Christmas, the birds that sound like sleigh bellsBirdwatchers in for a treat as waxwings arrive in numbers not seen for more than 40 years. 13/12/2012
Why is holly prickly?Scientists have discovered what makes holly prickly and what makes leaves smooth. 12/12/2012
Extravagant, yes, exotic, certainly - but black swans aren't as rare as you may thinkNature Studies: next year will see the publication of the most in-depth survey of the breeding and distribution of Britain's birds ever carried out. 06/12/2012
Make the most of waxwings in this welcome winter weatherBerries are scarce and birds are suffering after terrible weather this year – but there is still plenty to photograph on a cold December day. 05/12/2012
What is behind the catastrophic decline of our hovering raptor?It used to be that buzzards and falcons were struggling, while kestrels flourished. Now the situation has reversed and this proud bird faces extinction. 05/12/2012
Marlboro palace: how city birds feather their nestsNicotine-rich cigarette ends that repel parasites are the perfect building material for finches. 02/12/2012
Birds suffer 'worst ever' year for breeding after poor weatherBritain's washout year has been blamed for the 'worst ever' breeding season for native birds. 21/11/2012
Great Tit under threat from mosquito borne virusAvian pox, which has spread among Woodpigeons and House Sparrows for a number of years, is now taking its toll of populations of the Great Tit. 18/11/2012
Backyard ornithologists chart disappearance of 44 million birdsThe UK's bird population has plummeted by 44 million in four decades, according to a study carried out with the help of volunteer ornithologists. 14/11/2012
Watch out for WaxwingsThese stunning birds are one of the UK's winter's finest guests, and they're on the move in a hunt for berries. 11/11/2012
A murmuration of starlings over Gretna: in picturesMigrating starlings visit Gretna in Scotland twice a year, in February and November, and flocks of thousands of the birds form shape-shifting patterns in the sky. 08/11/2012
"Extinct" animal turns up in Wales as roadside carcass proves elusive pine martins still exist in UKOne of Britain's rarest and most elusive animals has been found in Wales, after a hunt lasting more than 40 years: the pine marten. 05/11/2012
Dead birds were intoxicated, an investigation findsThe BBC's coverage of the "drunken Blackbirds" story. 05/11/2012
Young birds can get 'drunk' on fermented berriesThe effects are similar to those for people, only drunk birds have much further to fall. 01/11/2012
First ever family tree for all living birds reveals evolution and diversificationThe world's first family tree linking all living birds and revealing when and where they evolved and diversified since dinosaurs walked the Earth has been created. 29/10/2012
Exotic army of invading wildlife changing the nature of UK citiesPreviously unseen wildlife is colonising British cities but local authorities are concerned by the increase. 27/10/2012
Fog and high winds kill migrating birdsThousands of migrating birds have been dying before reaching Britain due to fog and high winds around the coast over the past week, according to the RSPB. 24/10/2012
Zoo uses riot shields against aggressive cranesRiot shields and police officers have been drafted in by staff at a Devon zoo to help them develop defensive tactics against aggressive birds. 21/10/2012
The joy and mystery of the House MartinStephen Moss reflects on the fact that we know so little about such a familiar bird. 19/10/2012
Bullfinches turn to gardensNumbers of Bullfinches visiting garden feeding stations have increased more than six times over since the mid-1990s. 18/10/2012
Painted lady migration secrets revealedOne of the longest standing mysteries of migration has finally been solved after scientists discovered where the UK's painted lady butterfly population goes each autumn. 15/10/2012
'World's greatest birdwatcher' sets a new record - then hangs up his binocularsA veteran British birder has become the first person in the world to officially see 9,000 species of bird. 08/10/2012
Brunette squirrels now the fourth variety in the UKScientists reveal that 'brunette squirrels' - a variety of the red squirrel - have been found in the UK after a nationwide research project. 08/10/2012
Hungry Jays are on the moveA Europe-wide shortage of acorns may be driving Jays into our gardens this autumn 03/10/2012
Website calls on people to become 'bat detectives'The Bat Detective website is calling on citizen scientists to help researchers monitor and record Europe's bat population. 01/10/2012
Lunar phobic bats dodge the moonlightMoonlight scares bats into hiding in the shadows, new research suggests. 28/09/2012
Bothered by wasps? You can thank them for your bread, beer and wine.Award-winning science writer Ed Yong explains how. 25/09/2012
Clever Jays switch food-finding tacticsJays demonstrate "flexible tactics" by switching between storing food and stealing from others' stashes, scientists have found. 18/09/2012
Push to create a million UK pondsDetails of a plan for a million healthy ponds in the UK are being announced to combat decades of neglect. 18/09/2012
Crows can 'reason' about causes, a recent study findsIn an experiment, researchers found that crows were more likely to forage when they could attribute changes in their environment to a human presence. 13/09/2012
Colourful autumn in store, says RHSThe wet summer and recent warm, sunny weather means the UK could be in for an "incredible" display of autumn colours this year, experts said yesterday. 10/09/2012
Butterfly decline blamed on soggy summerWettest summer in 100 years puts many already threatened species at risk, according to world's largest butterfly count. 06/09/2012
The dinosaurs in your gardenBirds really are dinosaurs, and a House Sparrow or a Blackbird is every bit as much a dinosaur as Tyrannosaurus or Stegosaurus. 02/09/2012
Birds and berries to be surveyedGardeners and birdwatchers are being asked to help identify birds' berry-eating habits. 30/08/2012
Blue Tits could tackle moth threat, scientists sayBlue Tits could offer hope in tackling damage done to conker trees by a non-native moth, according to scientists. 21/08/2012
Bird Photograph of the Year 2012The top six photographs in the annual competition run by 'British Birds' magazine have just been published online. 16/08/2012
Ringed Pied Flycatcher surprises experts 16 years onA small bird which migrates from west Africa for summer in north Wales has surprised experts after being spotted 16 years after it was first ringed. 16/08/2012
Garden birds struggling following poor British summerCold, wet weather has affected the chicks of species such as Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Robins, RSPB survey shows. 03/08/2012
Cuckoo Tricks to Beat the Neighbourhood WatchFemale Cuckoos have evolved different guises to get past the defences of the birds they are trying to parasitise. 01/08/2012
Britain's fastest and oldest birds are revealedA gannet which flew 722 miles in one day has been named as the British Isles' fastest bird following an analysis of around 38 million birds, monitored over more than 100 years. 30/07/2012
Wet spring devastates butterfly populationPopulations of Britain's common garden butterflies appear to have collapsed this summer in the aftermath of the record spring rainfall, scientists are warning. 27/07/2012
Starlings in danger after numbers plummet 80 per centStarlings - one of Britain's most iconic birds - are in serious danger after numbers plummet by 80 per cent in the last thirty years. 26/07/2012
Wet weather sparks concern for SwiftsThis summer's cold and wet weather has had a disastrous effect on the breeding season for Swifts, the RSPB says. 24/07/2012
Wading bird numbers in declineLapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe and Curlew are all at their lowest numbers since the British breeding bird survey began in 1994. 23/07/2012
Flying Ant Day is imminent!The weather conditions are ideal for the annual emergence of flying ants. Please record your sightings for this online survey. 16/07/2012
Rain 'almost apocalyptic' for wildlife, says National TrustCold, wet conditions have left many bees, bats, birds, butterflies and wildflowers struggling - with next year looking bleak too, the National Trust has said. 12/07/2012
Urban noise 'killing baby House Sparrows'Noise in urban areas could be increasing the mortality rate among young House Sparrows, a study has suggested. 05/07/2012
Rain stopped play - why birds aren't breeding in the wetThe Independent's Michael McCarthy writes about what the head of the BTO's Nest Record Scheme is calling "the worst breeding season I have ever experienced". 26/06/2012
Better Looking Birds Have More Help at Home With Their ChicksNew research shows that male Blue Tits' parental behaviour is determined by the amount of ultraviolet coloration on the crown. 25/06/2012
Birds Can Recognize People's Faces and Know Their VoicesNew research suggests that some birds may know who their human friends are, as they are able to recognize people's faces and differentiate between human voices. 17/06/2012
Swifts live up to their name; project records them flying 3,000 miles in five daysA Swift has lived up to its name after scientsts recorded the bird travelling 3,100 miles in just five days. 15/06/2012
Modelling dough caterpillars provide camouflage clueScientists in Canada are using replica caterpillars to investigate whether eyespots function as predator defences. 13/06/2012
Scientists develop 'Facebook for animals' that shows how birds from tight-knit social cliques just like humansResearchers have monitored millions of behaviours by wild Great Tits in order to try and reconstruct the 'big picture' of how individual birds are connected. 08/06/2012
Golden and sea eagle decline since Dark Ages mappedThe decline in numbers of Golden and White-tailed Eagles in Britain and Ireland since the time of King Arthur has been mapped by the RSPB. 06/06/2012
Small tortoiseshell butterfly decline continuesButterfly numbers in the UK countryside fell by almost a quarter last summer, according to a new scientific study. 06/06/2012
Reign of the Giant Insects Ended With the Evolution of BirdsScience Daily reports on a study linking the demise of prehistoric giant flying insects with the arrival of birds. 01/06/2012
UK butterflies continue to declineThe British butterfly population is continuing a marked downward trend, according to a national survey which revealed that numbers of the insects fell by more than 20% between 2010 and 2011. 29/05/2012
Dormice whiskers aid tree-climbingDormice use their whiskers to help them climb trees using a technique called 'whisking', researchers say. 28/05/2012
'Extinct' short-haired bumblebee returns to UKA species of bee not seen in the UK for a quarter of a century is being reintroduced to the countryside. 26/05/2012
How EU farming policies led to a collapse in Europe's bird populationNew survey shows devastation to farmland birds caused by policies – and experts can see no sign of improvement. 22/05/2012
Great White Egrets nest in UK for first timeGreat White Egrets are nesting in the UK for the first time at Natural England's Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve in Somerset. 19/05/2012
Why city gardens are wildlife havensWhether you have a lawn, flowers or a pond, your urban garden is a thriving ecosystem. 17/05/2012
Bumblebee Conservation Trust launches ambitious new project.Bees for everyone aims to support rare bumblebees throughout the UK through active conservation work to safeguard, restore and create valuable bumblebee habitats and to raise public awareness of the importance of bumblebees and the problems that they face, inspiring individual action. 09/05/2012
Landmark Cuckoo project reveals birds' migration mysteryTheir distinctive call heralds the arrival of spring, but the routes taken by Cuckoos during their annual migration have remained a mystery. 07/05/2012
Wet weather helps ailing wildlife in England and WalesFish, newts, dragonflies and some birds benefit from record rainfall levels, although hundreds of wading birds lose nests. 07/05/2012
Waders struggle as rain sweeps away nestsDeluge improves conditions at some RSPB reserves, but wreaks havoc at others as nests are destroyed. 01/05/2012
Magnetic fields light up 'GPS neurons', scientists sayResearchers have spotted a group of 53 cells within pigeons' brains that respond to the direction and strength of the Earth's magnetic field. 30/04/2012
Wettest April for 100 yearsNot that we needed to tell you, but April 2012 was the wettest for 100 years. 30/04/2012
Exceptionally early cygnetThe first cygnet of the year at Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset is the earliest since records began in 1393. 25/04/2012
Great Tits join mobs with neighbours they knowA study shows that Great Tit parents will join anti-predator mobs if they hear alarm calls from birds they know well. 23/04/2012
Red-feathered birds suffer from eye damageBirds with red, orange or chestnut feathers are more likely to suffer from eye damage, researchers have found. 19/04/2012
Chernobyl radiation fells female birdsHigher percentages of birds chirping near Chernobyl are a perverse indication of radiation contamination, according to a new study. 19/04/2012
The marvel of soundscapesThe Independent's Michael McCarthy introduces the inspiring concept of soundscapes. 11/04/2012
Grave threat of pesticides to bees' billion-pound bonanza is now clear"Replacing the pollination of food crops that the UK's bees perform for free would cost �1.8bn. With hard data now linking pesticides to bees' rapid decline, there is no excuse for inaction" - thought provoking blog piece by the Guardian's Damian Carrington. 09/04/2012
When red doesn't mean stop! Mother bird feeds her hungry young brood in traffic lights nestMost birds create their nests using leaves, twigs and berries. But these city-dwelling mistle thrushes decided to come up with an ingenious alternative using a set of traffic lights to set up their home. 07/04/2012
World's rarest ducks make Easter debutEighteen newborn ducklings from the world's most endangered duck species - the Madagascar Pochard - meet the public for the first time. 05/04/2012
Drought hits bluebell numbers over Easter weekendBank holiday visitors to the countryside have been warned that the recent dry weather has impaired bluebell growth. 30/03/2012
The sad decline of the swirling starlingAcrobatic starlings in the evening sky are becoming a rarer sight. It's a warning against treating nature as an optional extra, says Stephen Moss. 30/03/2012
Pesticides harming bee populations, researchers suggestA common type of crop pesticide could be responsible for wiping out bee colonies by killing their homing instinct and limiting their ability to gather food, scientists claim. 30/03/2012
Nature deficit disorder 'damaging Britain's children'UK children are losing contact with nature at a "dramatic" rate, and their health and education are suffering, a National Trust report says. 29/03/2012
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch reveals starling declineThe RSPB's annual wildlife survey has recorded the lowest number of starlings in UK gardens for 30 years. 21/03/2012
Man-made noise disrupts the growth of plants and treesIt alters birdsong and can make it difficult for some predators to hunt, and now it seems that man-made noise also affects plants. 19/03/2012
Wildlife drought threat warning issued by Environment AgencyThe drought in parts of England could have a serious impact on wildlife, the Environment Agency has warned. 15/03/2012
Unmasking the Zorro of the avian worldA New Scientist feature looking at why Masked Shrikes (and possibly other species with dark eye stripes) have "masks", and what happens when the mask is painted over. 05/03/2012
Volunteer wardens are out to rescue toads from trafficThe work of volunteers to warn motorists of toad crossing points and, in some cases, carry the amphibians safely across the road. 01/03/2012
Diary of a window box garden: The wild window boxA look at one woman's attempt to create a makeshift, miniature nature reserve on her balcony. 28/02/2012
Melting Arctic link to cold, snowy UK wintersThe progressive shrinking of Arctic sea ice is bringing colder, snowier winters to the UK and other areas of Europe, North America and China, a study shows. 27/02/2012
Nature receives boost in 12 English sitesThe government has selected England's first 12 Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs), where wildlife and ecosystems will be protected and enhanced. 20/02/2012
Ancient plants back to life after 30,000 frozen yearsScientists in Russia have grown plants from fruit stored away in permafrost by squirrels over 30,000 years ago. 16/02/2012
National Trust aims for nature generationThe National Trust is planning a campaign to combat "nature-deficit disorder". 16/02/2012
Scottish Barn Owl numbers boosted by vole bonanzaA massive increase in the number of voles in the Trossachs is helping boost the Barn Owl population in the area. 15/02/2012
Tiny Northern Wheatears traverse the worldGreenland Wheatear migration study using dataloggers (not satellite tags!) confirms epic nature of their migration. 07/02/2012
Taking the measure of birdsongBBC coverage of a three-year project to investigate the effects of bird song on the human brain. 07/02/2012
Ladybird decline driven by 'invading' harlequinLadybirds native to the UK and other European countries are declining fast as the invasive harlequin species spreads, scientists have shown. 30/01/2012
Black squirrels could outnumber reds in EnglandBlack squirrels could now outnumber reds in England as the genetic mutant of the grey species increases across the country. 26/01/2012
Risk of bird strikes would make Thames Estuary UK's 'most dangerous airport'Report warns that the risk of aircraft loss after being hit by birds is higher at proposed site than any other UK airport. 24/01/2012
Aesop's fable brought to life by clever crowsIn a series of experiments, the New Caledonian crow has demonstrated an unexpected understanding of how tools work to make their lives easier. 22/01/2012
Why Britain's garden birds are staying in the countryMild weather has lured birdlife to rural areas where the pickings are easier. 20/01/2012
Gardeners must unite to save Britain's wildlife, experts urgeTo encourage urban biodiversity, neighbours should co-ordinate their gardening efforts to create a network of interlinking habitats where birds, bees and mammals can flourish. 18/01/2012
Hedgehog hibernation could hold clue to climate changeA new study of hedgehogs could provide the latest clue on climate change by finding out if the prickly creatures are coming out of hibernation earlier or later. 13/01/2012
Farmers improve habitat for endangered barn owlThe barn owl has been having a difficult time recently, with numbers decreasing. But farmers in Britain are finding it is in their interests to provide a habitat in which they can thrive. 03/01/2012
Signs of spring arrive early for the UKSnowdrops and daffodils emerge weeks early as a result of the mild winter, the Woodland Trust says. 03/01/2012
Crow intelligenceResearchers are finding that crows use complex reasoning and tools to obtain food. 23/12/2011
Harlequin ladybird putting native population at riskAn invasive ladybird species from Asia is destroying Britain's native population. 22/12/2011
Great Bustard flies again across South West after 180 year absenceThe World's heaviest flying bird is roaming across almost 150 miles of the south west of England for the first time in 180 years signalling a remarkable conservation success story. 21/12/2011
Rural species adopt new urban lifestylesAnimals more commonly associated with the countryside are turning up in Britain's towns and cities. 21/12/2011
Looking for benefits in birdsongResearch to find out whether birdsong has any impact on people's mental wellbeing. 12/12/2011
Britain's birds suffer bust and boom due to 2011's roller-coaster weatherThis year's freakish weather has seen Britain's bird populations go from bust to boom, with numbers recovering strongly from a disastrous collapse last winter. 12/12/2011
Mere fear shrinks bird familiesJust hearing recordings of predators caused sparrows to raise fewer young. 09/12/2011
Israel Air Force deploys bird radar to reduce airborne collisionsRadar is the fulfillment of a 20-year-old recommendation, following the death of three pilots and the loss of 10 fighter jets in a series of accidents. 08/12/2011
How wildife camera traps are revolutionising conservationCamera traps are proving a boon to conservationists and scientists mapping wildlife in remote habitats. 07/12/2011
Butterflies: 72% of UK species in declineAlmost three quarters of UK butterfly species have declined in abundance over the past decade. 05/12/2011
Threatened species need farmlandSeveral threatened species in the developing world are completely dependent on human agriculture for their survival, say scientists. 05/12/2011
Urban ecology model 'needs to change'The way researchers assess urban ecology needs to change in order to take into account the way modern cities are developing, a study suggests. 02/12/2011
Pictures: Amazing rescue of hawk trapped in car grilleA car driver in America got quite a shock when he collided with a hawk. He was going at about 60mph at the time and the hawk got stuck in the grille at the front of the car. Amazingly, the hawk survived and has now been released back into the wild. 30/11/2011
UK bird populations: which ones are down - and which are going up?Some of the UK's most iconic birds are in danger of being wiped out as farmland birds have fallen to the lowest numbers ever recorded in Britain. 29/11/2011
"Lucky" Short-eared Owl completes winter migration by helicopterA Short-eared Owl that got into difficulties after landing on a gas rig in the North Sea is doing well after a helicopter trip to a wildlife hospital. 28/11/2011
Pigeons are more living helicopters than flying ratsNew Scientist reports on research that shows that pigeons can be as agile as helicopters at low speed, and how this may influence the design of future military drones. 28/11/2011
Digital bird song identification a reality?Smartphone app due for launch in North America in 2012 could mark the start of a new revolution in birding. 25/11/2011
Project Parakeet seeks volunteersImperial College London is looking for volunteers to join Project Parakeet, a study into the ecology of Ring-necked Parakeets (AKA Rose-ringed Parakeets). They would also like to hear from you if you know of any roosts of more than 500 birds parakeets. 23/11/2011
Millions of bird deaths in NevadaAmerican Bird Conservancy urges action on mine claim stakes that inadvertently trap birds. 21/11/2011
Autumn's birds delay migrationWildfowl that overwinter in North Europe's wetlands are changing their migration patterns as temperatures rise. 17/11/2011
"Mouse-cam" is front-row seat to natureA pair of wood mice have moved into a Barn Owl tower at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, doubling traffic on the Heligan website. 15/11/2011
Rosetta Stone for WarblersCornell Lab of Ornithology works to develop a "Rosetta Stone for Warblers"to identify nocturnal migrants remotely. 02/11/2011
Clever Jays plan for the futureExperiments have shown that Jays can "plan for the future" when caching food. 31/10/2011
UK bat numbers on the upThe British Waterways annual survey shows a 9% rise in bat sightings compared with 2010. 27/10/2011
Woodpecker may hold secret to human beings avoiding brain injuriesResearchers have investigated how woodpeckers protect their brains from trauma to see if human medicine can benefit. 26/10/2011
On a wing and a tear - healed with a little bit of TLC'Heal to Fly' project for bats proving hugely succesful for bats with torn wings (opens as PDF). 26/10/2011
Kingfisher flies from Poland to SuffolkA Kingfisher caught at a Suffolk nature reserve has broken the current distance record for the species. 25/10/2011
Baby dormice rescued from jaws of catTwo baby dormice are recovering after being found close to death in the jaws of a pet cat. 24/10/2011
Dead owl found trapped in Chinese lanternA Barn Owl has been found dead apparently after becoming tangled up in a Chinese lantern on farmland. 22/10/2011
Cornish choughs spread towards Devon borderThe Cornish Chough is expanding its range and could be breeding in Devon in the next decade. 19/10/2011
Bats inspire ultrasonic cane for blindBats' use of ultrasound has inspired a new piece of technology which can help blind people to detect obstacles. 14/10/2011
Exotic pets 'can endanger' UK wildlifeConservationists fear non-native species are settling in Britain and endangering our own native species. 10/10/2011
Indian summer deposits moth multitudeHundreds of rare moths have flocked to the UK in what is being described as the best migration for years as a result of the recent record-breaking spell of warm weather. 05/10/2011
British Birds archive online and freeAn amazing resource - the first 100 years of the journal British Birds (1907-2007) are now free to access online (registration required). 04/10/2011
Terminal buzz gives bats their hunting edgeBats owe their hunting success to superfast muscles in their larynx. 04/10/2011
Shrike 'could recolonise' UK after Dartmoor breedingA rare bird that has bred for the second year on Dartmoor could start to recolonise the UK, conservationists have said. 04/10/2011
Red squirrel 'could be extinct within next 20 years'Oxford University wildlife unit finds biodiversity action plans failing to halt steep decline in dormice, hedgehogs and wildcats. 04/10/2011
Highs and lows for British mammals; red squirrel and hedgehog under threatPTES (People's Trust for Endangered Species) have published their tenth annual report highlighting the fortunes of British mammals. There's good news for otters, greater horseshoe bats and water voles, but the situation facing red squirrels and hedgehogs is worrying. 04/10/2011
So you want to be a scientist?BBC Radio 4 is launching its search for the next BBC Amateur Scientist of the Year. Last year's winner won the award for her research into the homing distance of garden snails. It would be nice to see a bird-related project in the final this year! 04/10/2011
Bird boxes shed new light on social life of batsEcologists are getting a unique – and unexpected – insight into the private lives of bats, thanks to some 1100 bird boxes in an Oxfordshire woodland. 04/10/2011
House sparrow numbers falling because of decline in gardensHouse sparrow numbers could be hit by the building of new homes on existing urban gardens as they prefer residential areas to parks in towns and cities, research suggests. 04/10/2011
Two autumns this year?The Woodland Trust is asking for public help to track the advance of autumn to see if the dry spring and summer in many areas will create a double autumn. 04/10/2011
Crows use mirrors to find foodCrows can use mirrors to find food, and large mixed tit flocks solve problems better and faster than small flocks. 04/10/2011
Songbirds with bigger brains have benefited from the end of communismSongbirds with relatively larger brains have been more successful in exploiting habitat change arising from the end of communism in eastern Germany and the Czech Republic. 04/10/2011
UK trappers threaten finchesThe melodic songs of birds such as Goldfinches, Linnets, Redpolls and Bullfinches are causing them to be targetted by criminals who then sell the birds illegally. |
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