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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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EU moves closer to banning lead fishing tackle after Parliament backs restrictions

The European Parliament has rejected an attempt to block new restrictions on lead fishing tackle, paving the way for an EU-wide ban. More here >

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Young gulls' brown plumage acts a 'no-threat signal' to adults

A study of American Herring Gulls has found that the mottled plumage of young birds reduces aggression from territorial adults within breeding colonies. More here >

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Is Dotterel about to become the first UK bird lost to climate change?

The UK breeding population has declined by 89% since 1988, with the latest national survey estimating just 112 breeding males remain. More here >

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Corncrake slowly edging back from near-extinction in Switzerland

After coming close to extinction in Switzerland in the 1990s, the Corncrake recorded 17 successful broods in 2025 following three decades of targeted conservation work. More here >

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Spring songbirds may help pollinate UK trees

Research at Wicken Fen found pollen on 89% of sampled birds, with Blue Tits, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs among species helping some spring-flowering trees set fruit. More here >