The British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) Summer Placement Scheme provides financial support for undergraduate students, studying at any UK higher education institute, to carry out small summer ornithological research projects which might otherwise be unaffordable.

As part of the scheme, the BOU offers a weekly stipend of up to UK£250 for up to eight weeks, plus up to £400 for research expenses.  Three funded placements, each to a maximum of £2400, are available in 2026.  Applicants are expected to work full time on the project for the duration of the placement.

The student must submit the application and must be supported by a host organisation who will provide all supervision and access to lab space, field sites, consumables and equipment as necessary for the proposed project.  The BOU does not offer direct supervision, mentorship or facilities as part of this scheme.

BOU membership is not a requirement to apply and successful applicants, if not already BOU members, will be gifted a one-year BOU membership.  The scheme is particularly seeking applications from individuals belonging to groups that are currently under-represented within ornithology.  The application deadline is 30 January 2026.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 03 October 2025

 Kaewa on 10 September, seven days before fledging, Royal Cam photograph

The Endangered Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi chick of the 2024/25 breeding season that has been the subject of the 24-hour live-streaming “Royal Cam” at New Zealand’s mainland Taiaroa Head/Pukekura colony has fledged.  Named Kaewa, which means to adventure/travel or roam in Te Reo Māori, she has been fitted with a GPS satellite tracking device, along with a plastic band Yellow E55 and a metal band R-65278 with a cable-tied Geolocation Sensor (GLS) on the opposite leg on 01 August.  Kaewa fledged on 17 September at 232 days of age (and a mass of 7.7 kg, up from 286 g at hatching).

“She’s on her massive round-the-world journey to the coast of South America, where she will live for a few years, before returning home to Pukekura/Taiaroa Head, via the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, to breed.  She's 500 km into her travels already, heading in a northeasterly direction toward Rēkohu/Chatham Islands”.  Follow her at-sea movements here.

A 2024/25 chick fledges on camera following extended hovering in a strong wind on 25 September

A total of 18 GPS trackers, nine on females and nine on males, has been attached to the back feathers of 2024/25 chicks.  On 30 September there were still eight chicks to take flight and fledge from the colony.

The Royal Cam live stream will be moved to a new location in November after the 2025/26 season's eggs have been laid by birds that are now returning to the colony.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 02 October 2025

“The 4th World Seabird Conference (WSC4) will take place from 7 to 11 September 2026 in the vibrant coastal city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.  This hybrid event will offer both in-person and virtual participation, ensuring global accessibility and broad engagement across time zones and disciplines.

The conference, with the overall theme is “Wings of Adaptation: Seabirds in a Changing Climate”, is now open for early bird registration (until 01 January 2026) and the submission of abstracts.

“Researchers, students, and conservation professionals are encouraged to submit their latest work on seabird science and climate change.”  The deadline for submission of abstracts is 16 January 2026.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 01 October 2025

 Only one Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena was analysed for parasites, photograph on Gough Island by Tom McSherry

Patricia Serafini (Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Contaminação Aquática e Imunoquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil) and colleagues have published early view and open access in the journal Parasitology on surveying for parasites in southern albatrosses and petrels, including eight ACAP-listed species.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Emerging infectious diseases pose threats to wildlife, particularly in geographically isolated populations where hosts may lack prior exposure and immunity.  Seabirds inhabiting remote islands in the southwest Atlantic and Southern Ocean, including threatened albatrosses and petrels, are increasingly affected by infectious pathogens.  However, baseline data on vector-borne infections in these species remain scarce.  This study assessed the presence of vector-borne haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) and bacterial pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia) in albatrosses and petrels, providing insights into disease prevalence and potential threats to these populations.  We analysed blood and tissue samples from 269 individuals of 5 albatross and 12 petrel species, collected over an 11-year period (2013–2023) from South Georgia and multiple sites along the Brazilian coastline.  Molecular assays, including nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), were used for pathogen screening.  Blood smears from birds sampled in South Georgia were also examined for haemoparasites via light microscopy.  We found no molecular or microscopy evidence of infection with haemosporidian parasites, Borrelia, Anaplasma or Ehrlichia in any of the samples.  These findings suggest that vector-borne pathogens are either absent or at low prevalence, possibly because of limited vector presence, natural resistance or historical isolation from infection.  Continuous monitoring is critical given current environmental changes and risks of pathogen introduction via climate-driven shifts in vector distribution.  Our study establishes an essential baseline for future disease surveillance, prevention and mitigation in albatrosses and petrels, underscoring the importance of long-term monitoring to detect emerging pathogens in vulnerable seabird populations.”

With thanks to Richard Phillips and Patricia Serafini.

Reference:

Pereira Serafini P. et al. 2025.  Disease surveillance in albatrosses and petrels from the Southwest Atlantic and Southern Ocean.  Parasitology, 1-7. doi.org/10.1017/S0031182025100590.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 30 September 2025