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James Robinson

@jamesthetyke.bsky.social

250 followers 170 following 110 posts

Tyke, birder, moth-er, spinner, cricketer. Supporter of Gloucester Rugby, Hull City AFC, Yorkshire CCC, England Cricket. Chief Operating Officer at the RSPB but the views I express here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RSPB.

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James Robinson @jamesthetyke.bsky.social · May 23

The RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts have joined forces to say that Part 3 of the UK Government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill must be ditched unless there are significant AND meaningful changes made to it www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Wildlife charities urge Labour to scrap ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill

Conservationists say part of bill allowing developers to avoid environmental laws by paying into nature fund should be ditched

www.theguardian.com

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 2d

Yesterday the Scottish Government announced a further delay to the implementation of muirburn licencing.

That very same day, a muirburn in Aberdeenshire got out of control and started a wildfire.

We can’t afford any more delay. 👇

www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

A photograph of muirburn taking place on a moorland

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 2d

It’s #WorldMigratoryBirdDay! 🌍

Every year, migratory birds take on seriously epic journeys.

From our UK coasts and wetlands, to the forests of West Africa, we’re working to protect and restore the habitats they rely on along their routes.

Read more: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 4d

Our reaction to a further delay by the Scottish Government on the implementation of muirburn licencing.

Text that reads:

RSPB Scotland is deeply disappointed that yet another delay to the implementation of the muirburn provisions of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act 2024 has been announced by the Scottish Government.

Muirburn as a practice has been very weakly regulated since the Second World War and there were many examples of poor practice leading to negative impacts, including starting wildfires. The new framework is meant to allow muirburn to continue, but with more oversight so that the negative impacts are avoided.

We hope this further delay will provide ample opportunity for the Scottish Government to put in place the proper training for practitioners on the ground, as well as better communicate to land managers how the licencing system will operate in advance of its full implementation ahead of the Autumn 2026 season.

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 4d

The Chancellor says she 'fixed' a problem caused by “some snails or something”.

Comments like this pit nature against growth – it’s the wrong target.

Here, the system has worked: protecting one of UK’s rarest species while allowing 20,000 homes to proceed.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Rachel Reeves clears planning blockage amid ‘good relationship’ with developer

Exclusive: Chancellor says 20,000 homes were being held up due to ‘some snails that are a protected species or something’

www.theguardian.com

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 3d

Scotland's first nature-friendly farming summit created a real buzz earlier this week. 🐝🐄🚜

One of the most impactful parts of the day was when farmers from across Scotland shared stories about their journey to nature-friendly farming.

Read more here: www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/new...

Great yellow bumblebee sat on bright yellow flowers

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 16d

The tree you climbed as a child. Gone. The Swifts over your town. Gone. The air you breathe. Polluted. The river. Unsafe.

This is the reality of deregulation.

Cutting protections would mean disaster for nature & our economy.

Our CEO sets out why: rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... 👈

A small flock of Swifts sweep across a clear blue sky, their slim bodies and crescent wings cutting sharply above the roof of a house. A beloved summer sight - and one at risk of disappearing if protections for nature are lost.

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · Jul 31

A dark day for Scotland’s seabirds.

We're incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for the Berwick Bank offshore windfarm, which could catapult some of our most vulnerable species toward extinction 🚨

We will carefully scrutinise the details and consider our next steps.

“This is a very dark day for seabirds.
Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland’s globally important seabirds which are already facing alarming declines. Its impacts are so damaging it will make it very difficult for other, less-harmful windfarms to come forward. We are incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for a project which could catapult some of Scotland’s most-loved seabird species towards extinction.”

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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · Jul 27

Its #BogDay!
Let's celebrate by getting BOGged down in some papers 😉

Peatlands are key to carbon storage and flood management, but in the UK, many are in poor condition

Read on to hear about the nature benefits of bog restoration in Scotland’s Flow Country 🧪 🌍
📷 Ben Andrew

A single round leaved sundew plant (Drosera rotundifolia) sits in a bed of squishy looking moss.

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · Jul 27

It’s #BogDay and this time last year, the Flow Country became the first peat bog in the world awarded World Heritage Site status 🎉

Healthy peatlands can:
🔒 Act as carbon sinks, locking away CO2
💧 Improve water quality
💪 Support flood management
🏠 Provide a home for wildlife

📷 Paul Turner, Andy Hay

Close up of Sphagnum moss with Common sundew

Black-throated diver taking off from water

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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · Jul 27

German conservationists have visited the Norfolk coast to collaborate with British experts on protecting vulnerable bird species which nest along the shoreline:

British and German conservationists team up to protect coastal breeders

German bird experts from NABU visited Norfolk to work with the RSPB on protecting nesting birds such as Little Tern and Ringed Plover. The visit strengthened conservation ties across the North Sea, sharing strategies used along UK beaches and similar habitats such as Germany’s Wadden Sea. Coastal bird protection collaboration continues.

bit.ly

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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · Jul 18

New paper: European Turtle Dove overwintering habitat in the Sahel 🪶

Results show birds rely on riparian forests and nearby grasslands

Read the full article by @rspbscience.bsky.social and @ofbiodiversite.bsky.social here:

doi.org/10.1111/ibi....
Photo: Chris Orsman

A Turtle Dove is held to camera with a small piece of tracking equipment fixed to its back. The bird has a grey head and breast with brown-black patterning on its wings creating a tortoiseshell-like pattern.

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · Jul 18

We welcome the UK Government’s move to amend Part 3 of the Planning Bill in response to widespread concern.

These changes show encouraging intent, and we'll be scrutinising the detail carefully.

If protections for nature fall short, we'll keep holding government to account.

A House Sparrow perches on the edge of a rooftop, with warm-toned brick in the background. An emblem of everyday wildlife, small but familiar, that depends on careful planning decisions and strong protections to survive.

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James Robinson @jamesthetyke.bsky.social · Jul 13

Chalkhill Blues on the wing on Stinchcombe Hill, Glos, today @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Melissa Minter @mminter.bsky.social · Jul 11

Our piece in @lunz-hub.bsky.social blog on combining stakeholder visioning and spatially explicit land-use scenario planning to understand opportunities for treescape expansion🌳research from @uktreescapes.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social STAND project lunzhub.com/resources/op...

Opportunities for Treescape Expansion in Upland Landscapes: Combining stakeholder visioning and spatially explicit land-use scenario planning - LUNZ Hub

lunzhub.com

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James Robinson @jamesthetyke.bsky.social · Jul 12

Good variety of staging waders at WWT Slimbridge today. Two Wood Sandpipers, two Common Sandpipers, at least three Green Sandpipers, 50 Dunlins, a Bar-tailed Godwit, one of the long-staying Spotted Redshanks, and several Ruffs among the cast. Hot and hazy! #GlosBirds @glosterbirder.bsky.social

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · Jul 10

After decades of campaigning, restrictions on toxic lead ammunition are finally on the way. 👏

A long-overdue move that will save tens of thousands of birds & countless other wildlife from lead poisoning.

Thank you to all who campaigned with us & to UK Gov for taking this step.

A Red Kite glides in mid-turn above a softly blurred countryside, its rust-red body and distinctive forked tail sharply outlined. The sun lights up the bird’s feathers and yellow eye as it scans the land below.

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RSPB Cymru @rspbcymru.bsky.social · Jul 11

Good news Friday! 🌞 Even with a super dry spring at RSPB Ynys-hir we kept water levels high in two swampy spots, and guess what? FOUR singing male Spotted Crakes showed up! 🎶 That’s a reserve record AND the first ones we’ve heard in years.

📸 : Andy Hay

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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · Jul 6

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which took place over the last weekend in January, recorded the lowest number of Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris since the survey began in 1979.

Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · Jul 2

Next week, thousands will gather in Westminster.

To say: enough.
Enough nature lost.
Enough polluted rivers, soaring bills, & communities left to struggle.

We’re calling for action that protects what matters: our health, climate, wildlife, & each other.

Will you stand with us?

buff.ly/ky8GQDZ

JOIN US
Join the most impactful climate and nature lobby ever to demand that this Government ACT.

FOR PEOPLE FOR CLIMATE FOR NATURE
Wednesday 9th July Westminster, London

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James Robinson @jamesthetyke.bsky.social · Jul 6

Blomer's Rivulet, an aberrant Black Arches, and one of the Dot Moths from Stinchcombe Hill last night #GlosMoths #MothsMatter

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · Jun 27

RETURN

From extinction to reintroduction, our new film charts the 50-year fight to return White-tailed Eagles to our skies.

Coming Summer 2025.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_A7...

'Return' trailer - a 50-year story of repair, resilience, and eagles | RSPB

YouTube video by RSPB

www.youtube.com

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James Robinson @jamesthetyke.bsky.social · Jun 26

A brilliant initiative by the Dumfries and Galloway Council Environment Team, working with Solway Firth Partnership, Galloway Fisheries Trust, D&G Woodlands, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, the RSPB, Southern Uplands Partnership, Crichton Carbon Centre #partnership

BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · Jun 26

The Solway coastline has received a major £1.4 million funding boost as the first recipient of the National Lottery Heritage Fund's £150-million Landscape Connections programme:

Solway coast secures £1.4m nature-restoration grant

The Solway Coast in south-west Scotland has secured £1.4 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to kick-start a major restoration project. The SCAMP initiative aims to unlock a further £6.4 million to restore key habitats, create 200 km of coastal trail and boost local economies. It's the first project funded under the UK-wide Landscape Connections scheme.

bit.ly

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · Jun 25

Working together can make a real difference for Pine Hoverfly - and benefit other wildlife and habitats too!

The FIRST EVER Pine Hoverfly Conservation Strategy is here – an important step forward to protect this rare species and restore the habitat it calls home 🪰

👉 www.rzss.org.uk/news/new-pin...

New pine hoverfly Conservation Strategy leads the way in protecting one of Britain’s most endangered insects | RZSS

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and its partners have launched the first-ever Pine Hoverfly Conservation Strategy, a landmark plan designed to safeguard one of Britain’s most endangere...

rzss.org.uk

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James Robinson @jamesthetyke.bsky.social · Jun 26

Over the past five years, record numbers of Hen Harriers have been killed or have gone missing according to a new report from the RSPB. We are calling on the UK Government to introduce licensing of grouse shooting in England as a meaningful deterrent to wildlife crime www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Record number of hen harriers killed or missing in northern England

The RSPB says calls for regulation of the grouse-shooting industry in northern after the findings.

www.bbc.co.uk

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · Jun 20

We are deeply concerned to read today’s Marine Strategy Update which reports that 13 of the 15 indicators of Good Environmental Status across our waters are being missed.

What more proof is needed that our governments are failing to protect and restore our seas and that urgent action is vital.

A razorbill is swimming in the sea with Scottish islands in the background

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