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smp-seabirds.bsky.social
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
@smp-seabirds.bsky.social
890 followers 270 following 120 posts
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme SMP funded by @btobirds.bsky.social & @jncc.bsky.social, in association with @rspb.bsky.social. Fieldwork conducted by volunteer & professional surveyors.
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smp-seabirds.bsky.social
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · Jan 28
🌊🐣 Excited to share the Seabird Monitoring Programme! Join us in conserving our UK breeding seabird populations through data collection and research. 🪶💚 Explore getting involved inland or at the coast at www.bto.org/smp. Together, we can make a difference! #Seabirds #Conservation #Ornithology
Reposted by UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
btobirds.bsky.social
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.

📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Whooper Swan sick with bird flu in a field, photograph by Kane Brides
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Quite a few of the seabirds covered by the SMP share similar features!
We previously covered Shags and Cormorants, and today we're looking at distinguishing Mediterranean Gulls from Black-headed Gulls #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays four images, two of Black-headed Gulls by Allan Drewitt/BTO and two of Mediterranean Gulls, one by Allan Drewitt and the other by Liz Cutting/BTO. Text lists the species' English and Latin names (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) respectively. The following key features are labelled for BH Gulls: Outer primary feathers have black tips, head is chocolate brown, and bill is fine and dull. For Med Gull, these are: Tips of primary feathers are white, head is pure black, and bill is heavy and bright. The SMP logo is in the top right hand corner. The caption reads: Quite a few of the seabirds covered by the SMP share similar features! We previously covered Shags and Cormorants, and today we're looking at distinguishing Mediterranean Gulls from Black-headed Gulls #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Today, October 31st, is the final day to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays an image of a Razorbill by Ben Darvill/BTO. A speech bubble with the text 'Your data is important!' extends from its mouth and there is text which reads 'SMP DATA ENTRY DAYS REMAINING: <1' to its left. In the top right hand corner is the Seabird Monitoring Programme logo. The caption reads: 'Today, October 31st, is the final day to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 31, 2025 at 5:47 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Less than 2 days to submit your breeding seabird data now! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays and image of a Lesser Black-backed Gull by Edmund Fellowes/BTO. A speech bubble extends from its mouth with the text 'Your data is important!'. To the right is text which reads 'SMP DATA ENTRY DAYS REMAINING: <2'. The SMP logo is in the top left hand corner. Caption reads: 'Less than 2 days to submit your breeding seabird data now! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
The Seabird Monitoring Programmes' breeding seabird data submission deadline is fast approaching - have you submitted your data!? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays an image of a Kittiwake by Philip Croft/BTO. The birds mouth is open and a speech bubble with the text 'Your data is important!' extends from it. On the left hand side of the image is text that reads: 'SMP DATA ENTRY DAYS REMAINING: <3', and the Seabird Monitoring Programme is in the top right hand corner. The caption reads: 'The Seabird Monitoring Programmes' breeding seabird data submission deadline is fast approaching - have you submitted your data!? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 29, 2025 at 6:21 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Time's ticking...
Submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme now! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays an image of a Great Skua by Edmund Fellowes/BTO posing in a display position with its mouth open. A speech bubble extends from its mouth with the text 'Your data is important!' inside. To the right is text reading: 'SMP DATA ENTRY DAYS REMAINING: <4', and the SMP logo is in the top left hand corner. The caption reads: 'Time's ticking... Submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme now! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 28, 2025 at 5:50 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
That's right - you only have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a photograph of a Puffin by John Harding/BTO with its mouth open. A speech box extends from its mouth with the text 'Your data is important!' inside. To the left of the Puffin is text reading 'SMP DATA ENTRY DAYS REMAINING: <5' and the Seabird Monitoring Programme logo is in the top right hand corner. The caption reads: 'That's right - you only have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Gannets go through quite the plumage change, being primarily black as juveniles and white as adults!

Have a scroll through this thread to see how their plumage changes on the way to adulthood! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 9:16 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Species Focus 3: The Gannet - A striking species both by looks and aerial/aquatic ability, as elegant glides quickly become dramatic plunge-dives!

Keep your eyes peeled for more on them in the week! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays an image of two gannets by Richard Jackson, labelled with the English and Latin names (Morus bassanus). There is a 'key facts' box with the following adapted facts - has a wingspan of 170 - 192 cm, has an average lifespan of 17 years, eats fish, lays 1 egg, is seen year round, and there are 295,000 pairs breeding in the UK. The SMP logo is found in the top left hand corner. The caption reads: 'Species Focus 3: The Gannet - A striking species both by looks and aerial/aquatic ability, as elegant glides quickly become dramatic plunge-dives! Keep your eyes peeled for more on them in the week! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 13, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
bbs-birds.bsky.social
(1/) Hi, I’m David, and I help to run the BBS social media channels. This #DyslexiaAwarenessWeek, I am sharing something about myself, rather than the usual BBS posts, in order to raise awareness of my mild learning difficulties.
David White saying that he is Dyslexic and Dyspraxic.
October 9, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Reposted by UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
webs-gsmp.bsky.social
This weekend is the October Core Count! Did you know that with WeBS beginning as the National Wildlife Counts, we are continuing a tradition of counting that began in 1947! Learn more about our history here▶️https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/wetland-bird-survey/about/history-webs
A male Pochard is floating on still water, facing forward. Above is the heading 'October WeBS Core Count Sunday 12th' and below is the WeBS logo and the web address 'www.bto.org/webs'.
October 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side!

In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a Cormorant photographed by John Harding/BTO (left) and a Shag photographed by Liz Cutting/BTO (right). The species are labelled with their English and Latin names, Phalacrocorax carbo and Phalacrocorax aristotelis, respectively. Each image is labelled with key identifying features. For the Cormorant, these are: 'Heavy bill and a gradually sloped forehead', 'White chin', 'Blue sheen', 'White patch on thigh', and 'Variable amounts of white in the neck'. For the Shag, these are: 'Breeding crest', 'Green sheen', 'Lacks white in chin and neck', and 'Light bill and a steeply sloped forehead'. The Seabird Monitoring Programme logo is found in the bottom right hand corner. The caption reads: '1/ 1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side! In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
October 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
btobirds.bsky.social
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️

📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Image of a deceased Puffin lying on the ground. White wording on an orange background reads: Please report sightings of dead birds.
October 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
bto-ni.bsky.social
🐏 Last week the BTO NI team and staff from the National Trust retrieved cameras monitoring a Cormorant colony on Sheep Island

📸 This footage will be vital for understanding coastal-breeding Cormorants, which lack consistent productivity data in Northern Ireland

#seabirds #ConservationScience🌍
Sheep Island. Photo by Sorrel Lyall / BTO Camera trap set up on Sheep Island. Photo by Sorrel Lyall / BTO Members of the BTO Northern Ireland team retrieving camera traps from Sheep Island. Photo by Nia Potapova / BTO Cormorants by Edmund Fellowes / BTO
September 30, 2025 at 1:34 PM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Yes, that's right!
You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a Black Guillemot photographed by Edmund Fellowes/BTO with a thought bubble extending from its head and the internal text 'Just one month to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP!'. The SMP logo is positioned in the top left hand corner. The caption reads: 'Yes, that's right! You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds'
October 1, 2025 at 7:11 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Herring Gull plumage varies vastly between hatching and becoming adults! Initially, they are leggy balls of black-speckled down, soon to embark on a shifting plumage journey!

Discover their plumage changes in this thread ⬇️ #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a photo by Sam Langlois/BTO of a Herring gull chick. In the top right hand corner is the Seabird Monitoring Programme logo. The caption reads: 'Herring Gull plumage varies vastly between hatching and becoming adults! Initially, they are leggy balls of black-speckled down, soon to embark on a shifting plumage journey! Discover their plumage changes in this thread⬇️ #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
September 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Big thanks to all the SMP surveyors who contribute data to this long-term survey which feeds into the UK Seabird Indicator
btobirds.bsky.social BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · Sep 23
5/ The UK Seabird Indicator, comprising 13 species, has declined by 37% since 1986. Showing a shallow decline since 2000, the index has taken a sharper downward turn in the last five years which likely reflects the impact of Avian Flu. #Seabirds
A Guillemot perches on a rock against a blue sky. Wording to the left reads: Seabird Indicator. A graph below shows the UK Seabird Indicator with year and index of change. Three lines depict subsurface piscivores, piscivores and all species.
September 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
SMP Species Focus 2: The Herring Gull - A raucous bunch who often draw negative attention to themselves via their poor mannered food pinching in urban settings! This week’s content will show that they’re much more than that! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a Herring Gull photographed by Edmund Fellowes/BTO with the English and Latin (Larus argentatus) names to it's left. There is a 'Key Facts' box which includes the following information in a more concise form: 36% Breeding Expansion, 12 Year average lifespan, has a varied diet, lays 2-4 eggs, is seen year round, and there are 130,000 pairs in the UK. In the top right hand corner is the SMP logo, and photo credit in the bottom left corner. The caption reads: 'SMP Species Focus 2: The Herring Gull - A raucous bunch who often draw negative attention to themselves via their poor mannered food pinching in urban settings! This week’s content will show that they’re much more than that! #seabirds #birds'
September 22, 2025 at 9:07 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Part two of our Guillemot focus!
Some of their features can be challenging to see when they’re densely packed on ledges of sea cliffs, so here’s a closer look at some adaptations, biometrics, and plumage quirks! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic Displays four pictures of Guillemots, three by Sam Langlois and one by Philip Croft. Each picture has a small text description relevant to the photo. From left to right these are: (1) 61-73cm wingspan, (2) Backwards facing denticles to grip slippery fish, (3) 'Bridled' morph has a white orbital ring and trailing eye line, and (4) Feet well developed for swimming despite still being covered in down. The Seabird monitoring programme logo is in the bottom right corner. The caption is as follows: 'Part two of our Guillemot focus! Some of their features can be challenging to see when they’re densely packed on ledges of sea cliffs, so here’s a closer look at some adaptations, biometrics, and plumage quirks!'
September 17, 2025 at 9:18 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Species Focus: The Guillemot - Noisy yet agile, they are a staple of many cliff faces around the UK and Ireland during the breeding season! More to come in the week on these splendid seabirds... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a picture of a Guillemot perched on a rock by Edmund Fellowes/BTO. It contains the SMP logo, the species' English and Latin name, and the following key facts with appropriate graphics: status: common, average age: 23, eats fish, lays one egg, is present year round, and there are 950,000 pairs around the UK. The post's caption reads: ‘Species Focus: The Guillemot - Noisy yet agile, they are a staple of many cliff faces around the UK and Ireland during the breeding season! More to come in the week on these splendid seabirds... #seabirds #birds'
September 15, 2025 at 11:09 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Varied plumages makes identifying gulls tricky! This graphic identifies key features to look for on some of our common species. More tips on small gull identification can be found in the latest SMP news: www.bto.org/smp-news #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a mixed flock of gulls with arrows and text boxes identifying species including Herring, Lesser Black Backed, Greater Black Backed, and Black Headed Gull and their key identifying features. These are 'Sub-Adults have a pale inner primary window', 'Classic pale grey back and wings of adults', and un-streaked head of summer plumage and streaked head of winter plumage for Herring Gulls. 'Small gull compared to the others here. Black head of summer plumage has been lost, but characteristic thin red beak is present' for Black Headed Gull. 'Thin billed and grey of back lighter than that of Great Black Backed Gull. Adults have bright yellow legs' for Lesser Black Backed Gull. 'Bulbous bill', 'Black wings', larger size than adjacent herring gulls', and 'Fleshy pink-toned legs' for Greater Black Backed Gull. The caption provides a link to the SMP newsletter: http://www.bto.org/smp-news where further identification tips can be found for small gulls.
September 10, 2025 at 9:21 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
With the seabird breeding season ending, and many species returning to sea or their wintering grounds, it’s the perfect opportunity to submit your breeding data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! (deadline: end of October) #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays two fulmars, one sat on a cliff face and the second about to land next to the other. The sitting bird has its beak open and there is a speech bubble with the text ‘IT’S SMP DATA SUBMISSION TIME!’ emerging from its mouth. The caption reads ‘With the seabird breeding season ending, and many species returning to sea or their wintering grounds, it’s the perfect opportunity to submit your breeding data to the Seabird Monitoring Programme! (deadline: end of October) #seabirds’
September 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Here is the answer to last week’s Commic Tern Quiz! Let us know how you did in the comments and get out spotting these aerial acrobats before they’re gone until next year! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
Graphic displays the results to a previous post titled ‘Commic Tern QUIZ’. It includes a labelled image of a Common Tern on the left half of the graphic, with species name and the features ‘large white cheek patch’, ‘wings from the centre of the body’, ‘relatively short tail streamers’, and ‘only inner primaries are translucent’ connected to the relevant parts of the bird with arrows. On the right hand side of the graphic is a labelled image of an Arctic Tern, with species name and the labelled features ‘distinctly contrasting white cheek’, ‘short-necked appearance’, ‘long tail streamers’, and ‘primaries ‘translucent’ with contrasting dark band on their trailing edge’ connected to the relevant parts of the bird with arrows. The caption reads: ‘Here is the answer to last week’s Commic Tern Quiz! Let us know how you did in the comments and get out spotting these aerial acrobats before they’re gone until next year! #Seabirds’.
September 1, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Reposted by UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
btobirds.bsky.social
Last chance to apply! 📢 We're looking for a Seabird Monitoring Programme Organiser. For the full job role and to apply visit www.bto.org/jobs

Deadline for applications is Monday 8 September.

#Ornithology @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
A Guillemot has its bill wide open, as wording alongside reads: We're Hiring. Seabird monitoring programme organiser. www.bto.org/jobs
September 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Reposted by UK Seabird Monitoring Programme
ukcehseabirds.bsky.social
Results are in for the Isle of May seabird breeding season. Fulmar breeding success was 41%. An average season with the long term mean at 40% @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social
August 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM