Ever wondered how we might attract gulls and terns to new breeding sites, such as a tern raft? See the Solent Seascape Project's post here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1HYu... to read about how @rspbengland.bsky.social uses decoys to attract birds! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social

A Lesser Black-backed Gull that had taken over the local Carrion Crows' favourite rooftop perch in time for #SuperSeabirdSunday

It's been a record year for Sandwich Terns nesting on islands at #RSPBPaghamHarbour, following long term efforts to protect and restore them! Read RSPB England's breakdown here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dx4... #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

A Herring Gull making the most of the coast-like features in a town centre this weekend, for #SuperSeabirdSunday @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The latest breeding success records submitted to the SMP include Kittiwake fledglings like these two! They easily stand out from their parents thanks to their black collar and dark wing bands! #Seabirds @btoscotland.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

After a spring and summer of seabird fieldwork, data entry might not be at the top of your mind. So, if you need a complete refresher or just want to pick up some handy submission tips, watch our new video here! youtu.be/8Ai7XQLHi3I #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Mediterranean Gull breeding abundance increased from 135 to 2,311 AON in the UK & Ireland between Seabird 2000 and Seabirds Count. Help us continue to monitor this expanding population by submitting your breeding data to the SMP! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Recent breeding success records submitted to the SMP include some for Shags. I think this lot are quite cute, but maybe I'm biased. What do you think?! As always, don't forget to submit your data to the SMP #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

20 of the 25 core SMP species now have data submissions for 2026! Here's how things are looking for species with more than 10 submissions so far. Since our last update, Fulmar has overtaken Black Guillemot to claim the top spot! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Can you monitor Black Guillemot breeding success?! Only two breeding success records were submitted to SMP in the past two years. If you can monitor their productivity, or need a hand submitting your data, email us at smp@bto.org! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

There was quite a difference between the number of colony count and breeding success submissions for Great Black-backed Gulls in 2025. If you're recording their breeding abundance, please also record breeding success where possible! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Happy #WorldSeabirdDay! We look forward to seeing all the data our SMP participants collect on seabirds later in the season #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The first 2026 Breeding Success records have been submitted to SMP! These include positive records for Common Tern and Black-headed Gull. We look forward to seeing more records as the season advances. Don't forget to submit yours! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

It's Insect Week! Though we might normally think of seabirds feeding on fish and crustaceans, many species, like these gulls, feed on insects too. How many times have you seen gulls following a tractor, or terns hawking insects? #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Cute right? But did you know that Fulmars have a distasteful defence mechanism? The ability to spit a quite repulsive, pungent stomach oil at intruders... Effective. Still cute? #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

We've received data submissions for 16 of the 25 core SMP species in 2026 so far. Currently, Black Guillemot, Fulmar, and Herring Gull form the top three. How long will Black Guillemot hold the top spot!? Don't forget to submit your data! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Happy World Oceans Day! Here is the extent of the world's oceans used by just a few of the seabird species covered by the SMP. Their importance is undeniable #WorldOceansDay #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

2026 marks the 40th Anniversary of the SMP! To celebrate, we'd like to hear your stories and memories, and see any photos of seabird monitoring over the past four decades. If you have something to share, email us at smp@bto.org #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

It's Volunteers' Week, so from the SMP team, we'd like to say a massive thanks to all of you who dedicate your time to the SMP. The data you collect plays a vital role in understanding how the UK's seabirds are faring! #seabirds #volunteers @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The 2026 SMP Newsletter is here! Read it (and sign up to receive future editions) here: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... to find out about the SMP's 40th anniversary, latest developments, the science of seabird poo, and more! #birds #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The SMP is lacking breeding success data. In 2025, colony count data were submitted for 861 sites, but breeding success data were submitted for just 133 sites. If you can monitor seabird breeding success, email us at smp@bto.org! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The recommended SMP colony count period for gulls starts today. Don't forget this includes Kittiwakes! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The recommended SMP colony count period for terns is here! As per the instructions of the Sandwich Tern below: Get surveying! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Friday, May 15th, is the start of the recommended SMP colony count period for terns. If you're ready for a raucous of noise, get ready to visit your local inland or coastal colony. Don't forget to submit your counts to the SMP! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

No species is more fitting than Arctic Terns for World Migratory Bird Day; covering up to 90,000km a year! Help us understand seabird arrival and movement in the UK by submitting sightings to BirdTrack: www.bto.org/get-involved... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Seabird young are on their way! Making repeat visits to mapped nests is one method to record breeding success in SMP. Find out about more about this and other methods in the Seabird Monitoring Handbook: www.bto.org/sites/defaul... #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

It's time to get out surveying! The recommended colony count period for Puffins starts today and tomorrow for Cormorants! We look forward to seeing your data submissions to the SMP! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

A reminder that the recommended colony count survey period for Black Guillemots ends on May 1st. If you haven't managed to survey your sites yet, please do still submit counts you complete that fall outside this period to the SMP! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The colony count period for Cormorants starts soon! Apparently Occupied Nests (AON) can be recorded at coastal and inland colonies for SMP. Please also submit tree nesting Cormorant records to the Heronries Census: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Report dead birds to: Eng, Wal, Sco: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep... NI: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae... RoI: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report BirdTrack: www.bto.org/get-involved... Find out about safely reporting ringed birds: www.bto.org/learn/helpin...