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Reporting birds

Who should I report a lost racing pigeon to?

Lost racing pigeons should be reported to the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.

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Who should I contact if I've seen a rare bird?

A detailed description of a rarity is vital to help with verification. This also includes its behaviour and precise details of location. Please send these through to Wildlife Enquiries at wildlife@rspb.org.uk.  

If necessary, these will be sent to the appropriate county bird recorder. However, we cannot guarantee that any action will be taken if the report is not detailed enough or the bird has already been reported. 

Who should I contact if I've seen a red kite?

Red kites are being seen more commonly across the UK because of the success of re-introduction programmes. As a result, the RSPB is no longer asking to receive reports of red kite sightings outside of Oxfordshire. But please send in your record via Birdtrack or direct to your county bird recorder.

Bird guide

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Who should I contact if I've seen a house sparrow?

Our 2003 house sparrow survey was very successful. The information collected from your sightings has been essential in helping us to understand more about the decline of house sparrows. We don't need you to send in your observations anymore, but please submit them via Birdtrack or direct to your county bird recorder.

Bird guide

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Who should I contact if I've seen a house martin?

We carried out a house martin survey a few years ago and asked you to send in your sightings. The information you provided has been very useful in helping us. The survey is closed, which means we no longer need you to send in your observations, but please submit your sightings via Birdtrack or direct to your county bird recorder.

Bird guide

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Who should I contact if I've seen a corncrake?

Several years ago, we asked you to send us your corncrake sightings as part of a survey. The information collected from your sightings has been very useful in our work to help protect this species. 

The survey is now closed, and we no longer need to receive reports of corncrake sightings. But please send in your record via Birdtrack or direct to your county bird recorder.

Bird guide

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Who should I contact if I find a ringed bird?

If you find a bird with a ring, you should report it to the BTO.  Details of exactly what to record and who to contact are on their website. 

If the bird has a coloured ring only then it is probably an escaped cage or aviary bird. These rings are solely for the owner’s use and it is therefore not possible to trace the origins of such birds. Lost racing pigeons should be reported to the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.

Please remember, if you see a healthy wild bird wearing a ring, feeding on your bird table for example, you must not try to catch it. In these situations you may be able to read the ring number through a telescope.

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