Author | Lightnews

Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · 9h

3 White-rumped and 1 Pec Sand at Myroe Levels, Co. Londonderry this afternoon #RareBirdsUK

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 12d

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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Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · 13d

📣You really couldn't make this up!

On the day Scottish Govt announces it is delaying, for a second time, the implementation of muirburn licensing, this happens...

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/09/b...

Breaking news….’out of control muirburn’ on grouse moor in Cairngorms National Park

You couldn’t make this up if you tried… Breaking News….on the day the Scottish Government announced it was delaying, for a second time, the implementation of muirburn licensing af…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 13d

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 Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 22d

We're incredibly concerned about the welfare of two satellite-tagged golden eagles, Tarras and Wren, that have recently disappeared in Dumfries and Galloway.

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland.

Read more 👉 bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce80l4jgd1qo

📷 Chris Gomersall, RSPB Images

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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Sep 22

At last, managed a Monterey Bay pelagic 🙂 It was as superb as I'd hoped for. Great birding - shearwaters, petrels, jaegers/skuas and auklets, while the Humpback Whales were magnificent #birds #birding #California

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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Sep 12

Nice to catch-up with the Marsh Sandpiper at Musselburgh yesterday, 28 years since my last Scottish one, at the same site #BirdingLothian #Birds

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · Sep 12

Stronger protections are still needed to restore Scotland's seas 🌊

Encouraging progress has been made across Scotland’s 20 offshore Marine Protected Areas, which include measures that should benefit vulnerable seabird populations - but gaps remain 👇

Scottish Environment LINK @scotlink.bsky.social · Sep 11

The Scottish government announced new fisheries management measures for offshore marine protected areas on 1 September, marking an important step in fulfilling its obligations to protect marine wildlife across a large area of Scotland’s seas.

Read our reaction: www.scotlink.org/scottish-dee...

Scottish deep sea protections: a welcome step after years of delay - Scotlink

The Scottish government announced new fisheries management measures for offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) on 1 September, marking an important step in fulfilling its obligations to protect marine...

www.scotlink.org

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Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · Sep 9

Fantastic news! Defra Ministers listened to the science rather than the hysteria & rhetoric of the grouse shooting industry.

Ban comes in to force 30 Sept 2025.

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/09/09/m...

More excellent news: UK government bans burning on deep peat in England

Press release from Defra (9 September 2025) BURNING BANNED ON ENGLAND’S DEEP PEAT TO PROTECT WILDLIFE Ban on burning heather and grass on deep peat extended to improve air quality for local c…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Aug 21

Fabulous afternoon at (the Costa del) Tentsmuir yesterday afternoon☀️ #BirdingFife #Birds

Arctic Skua (aka Parasitic Jaeger) chasing a Sandwich Tern

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · Aug 13

🗣 ‘A sticking plaster on a gaping wound’

The Seabird Action Plan was meant to be a moment of hope for Scotland’s magnificent seabirds.

But it comes just days after the approval of Berwick Bank windfarm, which is set to kill tens of thousands of seabirds near some of our most iconic colonies.

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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Aug 13

A long sunny walk in Angus yesterday - good numbers of raptors, in an area notorious for their persecution. Maybe grouse shoot licensing is delivering already...🤞🤞🤞 #BirdingScotland #RaptorResearch

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Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · Aug 9

By law, this should lead to local restrictions on releasing Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges for shooting - but who is monitoring this? Pretty hard to do when millions of Pheasants are still under the radar because estates have failed to declare them.

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/08/09/s...

Six more Bird Flu outbreaks in England, Scotland & Wales

A further six outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, also known as Bird Flu) have been reported from across England, Wales and Scotland in the last week. These will have implications…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · Aug 7

Five Hen Harrier chicks have fledged in Cumbria and Lancashire, despite the unexplained disappearance of four breeding males – incidents the RSPB believes point to illegal killing:

Hen Harrier chicks fledge despite suspected persecution

Five Hen Harrier chicks have fledged in Cumbria and Lancashire, despite four breeding males vanishing in suspected persecution cases. The RSPB intervened to feed females, ensuring the chicks' survival. Police are investigating, as conservationists warn the Red-listed birds remain at severe risk from illegal killing and habitat threats.

bit.ly

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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · Jul 29

Help @rspbscience.bsky.social study bird disease (trichomonosis) outbreaks

If you see a sick or dead bird in your garden, please report it here: gardenwildlifehealth.org

@bto-gbw.bsky.social
@zslscience.bsky.social
📷 Ben Andrew

A female Greenfinch is perched on a branch looking unwell. Her feathers are fluffed up, which can be a sign of trichomonosis.

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Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · Jul 24

Four adult breeding Hen Harriers 'vanished' from nest sites in Cumbria & Lancashire in May 2025 - silence from police, valiant conservation efforts from RSPB staff & volunteers.

RSPB press release & some questions from me 🔽

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/24/h...

Hen Harrier chicks fledge with RSPB support after suspicious loss of parent birds

RSPB press release (24 July 2025) Chicks fledge with RSPB support after suspicious loss of parent Hen Harriers. In May 2025, over a period of eight days, four breeding male Hen Harriers suspi…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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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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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Jun 19

Maybe the same species as these, but there's a few other possibilities in the south of France

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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Jun 18

It was great to spend a couple of hours @rspbni.bsky.social Portmore Lough reserve yesterday evening, just watching the Common Terns doing their thing 🙂 #UKbirding #Birds

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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Jun 5

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Stanechacker @scottishbirder.bsky.social · Jun 5

Fabulous few hours on a blustery Isle of May yesterday, a place that never disappoints 🙂 #BirdingScotland

Incoming Puffin with a beak full of fish

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · Jun 2

It is with a heavy heart we announce the death of Frisa, the UK’s oldest wild White-tailed Eagle.

This clip shows Frisa on the very first series of Springwatch in 2005, feeding some of the 25 chicks she raised during her lifetime.

Catch the full story on tonight's episode.

❤

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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · May 29

Our reaction to the Scottish Government's decision not to continue with a new National Park in Galloway.

We’re very disappointed to hear today that plans for a new National Park in Galloway have been scrapped.

It’s been over 20 years since Scotland created its only two National Parks. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and the Cairngorms have since evolved into important landscapes for both people and nature.

A third National Park in Scotland – in Galloway or elsewhere – would bring huge benefits for nature, communities and climate.

The Scottish Government must now step up and take urgent action to show it is committed to tackling the nature and climate crisis.

This news makes it even more vital the Natural Environment Bill drives the nature recovery we so desperately need.

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goodmovesjobs.bsky.social @goodmovesjobs.bsky.social · May 27

Do you have an interest in the financial operations and a broad understanding of the financial requirements on
charities in Scotland?

Become a Treasurer @scottishbirding.bsky.social

Further details: tinyurl.com/3xntx229

#eastlothian #hybrid #boardmember #treasurer

Treasurer with Scottish Ornithologists Club – Goodmoves

Established in 1936 and one of Scotland’s leading wildlife bodies, the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) with some...

tinyurl.com

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · May 23

Labour promised to restore nature. ❌

Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it.

We offered solutions. We’re done waiting.

Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species.

Without significant change, it must be scrapped.

Screenshot of a Guardian news article with the headline: “Wildlife charities urge Labour to scrap ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill.” The subheading reads: “Conservationists say part of bill allowing developers to avoid environmental laws by paying into nature fund should be ditched.” Below, a protest photo shows handmade signs in woodland. One reads “BAT FACTS – 14 species of bat in Buckinghamshire. Bats are the only mammals that can fly.” Another says “FAT CATS KILL BATS” in bold letters. The image underscores public anger and the scale of opposition to the proposed Planning Bill.

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