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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 May 2025

Jon Dunn looks back at the best birds from around Britain, Ireland and the Western Palearctic, where Hampshire lands it's first Hudsonian Godwit. More here >

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Breaking the Binary: Same-Sex Partnerships in Birds Are Widespread and Undervalued

New review challenges assumptions about avian behaviour, revealing the ecological and evolutionary roles of same-sex pairings in birds. More here >

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Returning Few: Why Some Pectoral Sandpipers Stay Faithful to Arctic Breeding Grounds

Study reveals that site fidelity, though rare in this nomadic species, may offer reproductive rewards to a select few dominant males. More here >

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Deadly Designs: How Barn Owls Are Dying in Hungary's Churches

Hungarian research reveals how loose netting meant to deter pigeons is instead claiming entire owl broods - silently and avoidably. More here >

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Silent Waters: Bird Flu and Broader Threats Take Toll on the UK's Wetland Birds

New BTO report warns of major declines in Mute Swans and seaducks, as protected areas struggle to shield wintering waterbirds from multiple pressures. More here >