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Welcome to the Rare Bird Alert website

Established in 1991 Rare Bird Alert is the longest running instant birdnews service in the UK. Our team of experienced and dedicated birders check and send reports as soon as they break, sixteen hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Ways to get our birdnews

We offer the most comprehensive range of birdnews services to suit all birders. If rarity hunting is your thing, just like to bird locally or only go birding occasionally we have a solution to meet your needs. If you would like any advice or help with any of our services please contact us today.

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Pagers

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Still the ultimate tool for birders in the field who don't want to miss news.

  • Unrivalled reception works in many parts of the country where mobiles don't. Particularly good coverage in rural 'birding' areas
  • Flexible change the areas you get news from whenever you want
  • Packages to suit all birders
    local pagers covering individual counties or entire coverage for the UK, you decide
  • TRY FOR FREE today
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From
£134
per year

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Online

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  • Live birdnews over 100,000 sightings per year, updated all day, every day
  • Newsmaps so you can see where the birds are
  • Photo Gallery share your photos of birds in Britain
  • Previous Records fully searchable database of all the accepted rarities in Britain and Ireland, including maps, stats and photos
  • Articles finders' accounts, identification papers, news stories and much more
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Only
£59.99
per year

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Phones

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iPhone and Android App

  • Alerts instant alerts on breaking news
  • Browse the news search the news using quick links or build advanced filters
  • Gallery latest UK bird photos

Text messages

  • Instant text alerts to breaking news to any phone
  • Great for occasional use
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From
£59.99
per year

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Latest article

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Weekly birding round up 16 - 22 Jan 2026

Jon Dunn brings looks back on the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic. More here >

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Little Egret population considerably higher than previously thought

Research by the BTO, published in the journal British Birds, sheds new light on both the numbers, and geographical spread of this small and elegant all-white heron. More here >

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Six Hen Harriers 'vanish' on or near grouse moors in 2025 and another is poisoned

RSPB says seven birds are suspected or confirmed illegally killed in England in a single year, renewing urgent calls for licensing of all gamebird shooting. More here >

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Finland's Great Grey Owl population increasing as they show signs of adapting to climate change

An increase in occupied nests suggests the species is coping better than many other nocturnal birds of prey. More here >

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White-naped Cranes use two clearly separate migration routes across east Asia

Satellite tracking shows eastern and western breeding populations follow different flyways, use different stopover sites and rarely mix. More here >