Rob Morsley, visiting from the Wirral, made an unexpected discovery at Dunwich, Suffolk, on 2 October when he came across a Red-tailed Shrike. The bird gave excellent views to local birdwatchers later that afternoon. Found while birding casually with friends, the shrike's red tail, clean front and dark mask confirmed its identity, providing an exciting highlight of the autumn for Suffolk.

BirdLife International has rejected proposals from eight EU Member States to reclassify Great Cormorant as a huntable species and co-ordinate continent-wide culls. The organisation warns that such measures would not restore fish stocks, could create legal uncertainty and would undermine decades of conservation work. Instead, BirdLife advocates for targeted local action and habitat restoration to tackle the real drivers of fish population decline.

A major conservation mission has begun in Laos to find the last surviving Saolas, one of the world's rarest mammals. Discovered only in 1992, the elusive 'Asian unicorn' is Critically Endangered, with fewer than a few dozen thought to remain. Using eDNA, camera traps and local knowledge, teams aim to locate individuals for a breeding programme to save the species from extinction.

Mandy Gregory and Ray Maddison discuss a routine visit to Tophill Low NR that transformed into an unforgettable day when a White-throated Needletail appeared, while Ashley Saunders describes the bird's remarkable relocation at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

Royal Mail's 2025 'Duck Stamps' have irked birdwatchers, with collectors disappointed by the inclusion of farmyard breeds such as Aylesbury and Indian Runner instead of iconic British wild duck such as Garganey, Eurasian Teal and Common Goldeneye. Once renowned for high-quality stamp designs by leading bird artists, this latest set is being criticised as a missed opportunity to celebrate the nation's important and declining wildfowl.

A Brahminy Kite has been observed on the shores of the Caspian Sea, representing the first record of the species for Kazakhstan. The bird was seen and photographed by Anna Yasko in the city of Aktau on 5-6 October, more than 2,000 km from the species' typical breeding range. The occurrence has sparked discussion as to whether Brahminy Kite might one day be seen in the Western Palearctic.

The Wildlife Trusts have published a new assessment of the effects of climate change on UK natue reserves. The report, Resilient Nature, shows how much-loved species and habitats are faring across 2,600 reserves in response to the changing climate and extreme weather over the past year. Extreme changes in weather patterns have been the most damaging overall, reports BirdGuides.

US birders have been left shocked after the discovery of an Arctic Warbler in New York State. The bird was discovered at Randall's Island on the morning of 27 September, lingering there until the following morning. This represents the first US east-coast record of the species.

Sam Viles reports on the best birds seen in Britain and Ireland during the week of 6-12 October 2025 in the BirdGuides Review of the Week. White-throated Needletail, Mourning Dove and Northern Parula were the mega highlights of the rarest spell of 2025 so far.

Ian Wells wins BirdGuides Photo of the Week for 6-12 October 2025 with his outstanding photo of the Siberian Thrush recently seen in Shetland.

A major conservation mission has begun in Laos to find the last surviving Saolas, one of the world's rarest mammals. Discovered only in 1992, the elusive 'Asian unicorn' is Critically Endangered, with fewer than a few dozen thought to remain. Using eDNA, camera traps and local knowledge, teams aim to locate individuals for a breeding programme to save the species from extinction.

Mandy Gregory and Ray Maddison discuss a routine visit to Tophill Low NR that transformed into an unforgettable day when a White-throated Needletail appeared, while Ashley Saunders describes the bird's remarkable relocation at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

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A late start one morning in Shetland turned into a moment of birding history for Simon Nichols when he discovered a first-winter male Siberian Thrush near Scalloway. After years of searching, Simon and his crew of bird-finders struck gold, using thermal-imaging cameras to locate the bird in elder bushes by Loch of Asta. The stunning rarity gave unforgettable views to the finders and assembled birders over the following days, marking one of the standout autumn discoveries of 2025.

Manx Shearwater has bred on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, for the first time in decades. Conservationists confirmed fledging chicks thanks to the LIFE Raft project, which is eradicating non-native predators such as ferrets and rats. Once abundant, shearwaters and other seabirds declined sharply on the island, but the project is already showing promising results for restoring Rathlin as a key seabird stronghold.

Royal Mail's 2025 'Duck Stamps' have irked birders, with collectors disappointed by the inclusion of farmyard breeds such as Aylesbury and Indian Runner instead of iconic British wild duck like Garganey, Eurasian Teal and Goldeneye. Once renowned for high-quality stamp designs by leading bird artists, this latest set is being criticised as a missed opportunity to celebrate the nation's important and declining wildfowl.

The Wildlife Trusts have published a new assessment of the effects of climate change on UK natue reserves. The report, Resilient Nature, shows how much-loved species and habitats are faring across 2,600 reserves in response to the changing climate and extreme weather over the past year. Extreme changes in weather patterns have been the most damaging overall, reports BirdGuides.

Finland's 2024 nesting bird report reveals a major increase in Red-flanked Bluetail, with breeding pairs rising from 1,500 in 2013-18 to an esimated 13,000 in 2019-24. While the species remains Vulnerable due to its concentration in eastern and north-eastern Finland, habitat expansion, potentially driven by warming climate, and earlier spring warmth are likely assisting its spread. Other taiga birds show mixed fortunes, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring.

Chris Darby's outstanding Lesser Grey Shrike flight shot is BirdGuides Photo of the Week for 29 September-5 October 2025.

A late start one morning in Shetland turned into a moment of birding history for Simon Nichols when he discovered a first-winter male Siberian Thrush near Scalloway. After years of searching, Simon and his crew of bird-finders struck gold, using thermal-imaging cameras to locate the bird in elder bushes by Loch of Asta. The stunning rarity gave unforgettable views to the finders and assembled birders over the following days, marking one of the standout autumn discoveries of 2025.

US birders have been left shocked after the discovery of an Arctic Warbler in New York State. The bird was discovered at Randall's Island on the morning of 27 September, lingering there until the following morning. This represents the first US east-coast record of the species.

Mandy Gregory and Ray Maddison discuss a routine visit to Tophill Low that transformed into an unforgettable day, while Ashley Saunders describes the bird's remarkable relocation at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.