Nature Champions
@naturechampions.bsky.social
350 followers 160 following 25 posts
Scottish Environment LINK initiative encouraging Members of the Scottish Parliament to champion Scotland's threatened and iconic species and habitats. www.scotlink.org/link-campaigns/nature-champions/ Image: Calum McLennan
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Reposted by Nature Champions
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Right now just 5% of Scotland’s farm funding directly supports nature-friendly farming. That’s nowhere near enough.

Ahead of next year’s elections call on party leaders to commit to investing in a future where wildlife and farmers thrive 🚜 🐦🐝

Take action now: action.rspb.org.uk/page/174887/...
A calling Corncrake standing in long grasses.
Reposted by Nature Champions
wtscotsocial.bsky.social
We 💚 the spherical beauty & temporary nature of #SeedHeads, especially this Meadow Goat’s Beard (or Meadow Salsify) about which poet Abraham Cowley (1618-1667) wrote,
“The goat’s beard, which each morn abroad doth peep
But shuts its flowers at noon and goes to sleep.” #WildFlowerHour
naturechampions.bsky.social
Happy hump(back) day! 🐋

A suitably cetaceous fact for today: #DYK humpback whales have the largest forelimbs in the animal kingdom, leading to their scientific name 'Megaptera', meaning 'giant winged'. 🧐

#NatureChmpioned by @jamiegreeneuk.bsky.social

Learn more:
www.scotlink.org/species/hump...
Image of a breaching humpback whale
Reposted by Nature Champions
scotwildlife.bsky.social
Do you want to make your neighbourhood better for wildlife?

Join us in Glasgow for a friendly, informal workshop, open to anyone who wants to organise action for nature in their community. The workshop will run on 16 September at 10am and 2 October at 7pm.

Sign up - bit.ly/3UGTQqp
A photo of a person kneeling down tending to some plants. The person is wearing a vibrant red top and denim blue sun hat. They are amidst lots of colourful plants tending to various flowers and vegetables. The person in the photo is part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Nextdoor Nature Pioneers Programme.
Reposted by Nature Champions
rspb.bsky.social
The wait is almost over. 🦅

RETURN - the breathtaking story of how the White-tailed Eagle was brought back from extinction - premieres this Friday 29th August on our YouTube channel.

Fifty years in the making...

Who's ready?

youtu.be/i_A7_E6vIwQ?...
'Return' official trailer - the White-tailed eagles' comeback story | RSPB
YouTube video by RSPB
youtu.be
Reposted by Nature Champions
saveourwildcats.bsky.social
Championing wildcats 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We're seeking parliamentary support to save wildcats in Scotland, from attending events like @naturechampions.bsky.social's Parliamentary reception, to hosting MSPs at @highlandwpark.bsky.social.

Our policy brief ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/media/fl1fhv3w/policy-brief_3.pdf 💼
Reposted by Nature Champions
ariane-burgess.bsky.social
I was delighted to finally meet the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) conservation teams on site. Their passion and deep care for our precious species really came through — and their work is nothing short of vital.
#HighlandsAndIslands #ScottishGreens
Reposted by Nature Champions
scotwildlife.bsky.social
We were thrilled to take part in Scotland’s first ever Snorkel Festival recently. From guided snorkel sessions to fascinating talks, there was so much going on.

Our own Elouise Dalziel and Rachel Faichnie were both in attendance and tell us more in our latest blog 👇

buff.ly/ls6wFq7
Four people wearing snorkels and wetsuits standing in shallow seawater, holding flippers. Credit: Rachel Faichnie.
naturechampions.bsky.social
It's World Whale and Dolphin Day! 🐳

Did you know that Scotland's seas are home to a variety of different whales, dolphins and porpoises, including some of the biggest on Earth?

Take our short quiz to discover more about these incredible creatures!

⬇️
forms.office.com/e/7qp0mi0Lq4
Image of different whales, dolphins and porpoises with the text 'World Whale and Dolphin Day Quiz!'
Reposted by Nature Champions
wwfscotland.bsky.social
A moment of appreciation for one of nature’s architects! The red-tailed mason bee sometimes nest in empty snail shells. They then cover it in grass and twigs to protect it against predators. Isn’t nature amazing? #Bee #Nature
naturechampions.bsky.social
The Noctule Bat is usually one of the first bats to appear in the evening, with calls just audible to the human ear.

In summer, these ginger-golden bats roost in trees with holes made by woodpeckers, rot, or splits.

#NatureChampioned by Miles Briggs MSP with @batconservation.bsky.social
Image of a Noctule Bat emerging from a tree.
Reposted by Nature Champions
batconservation.bsky.social
🦇 Discover the magic of summer nights in your garden, where bats take to the sky at dusk. Our gardens are vital for providing food and shelter to these fascinating creatures as their habitats dwindle: www.bats.org.uk/advice/garde...
naturechampions.bsky.social
📣 Nature Champions News! 📣

@tesswhitemsp.bsky.social is the new #NatureChampion for the Black Grouse!

Tess will be working with @scotlink.bsky.social member
@rspbscotland.bsky.social to champion these iconic birds in
the Scottish Parliament.

👇
www.scotlink.org/species/blac...

📸 Andy Hay/RSPB
Image of Tess White MSP standing beside a river Image of a lekking Black Grouse facing towards the camera.
Reposted by Nature Champions
scotlink.bsky.social
"The current session has seen MSPs climb mountains in search of bees, wade across rivers for endangered mussels, attend night-time bat surveys and even abseil from trees in support of Scotland’s extraordinary species and habitats!"

Read our latest blog:

www.scotlink.org/celebrating-...
Celebrating Nature Champions - Scotlink
By Andy Marks, Parliamentary Officer The success of Scottish Environment LINK’s award-winning Nature Champions initiative reflects the energy and commitment that MSPs have for ‘their’ Scottish species...
www.scotlink.org
Reposted by Nature Champions
wwfscotland.bsky.social
What mingles in the marsh? A whole world of incredible species! 👀

This coastal habitat is vital for both nature and climate. But it's disappearing at an alarming rate. We can turn the tide by taking action to protect the natural world - on land and at sea! 🌊

#Nature #Climate #Wildlife
Golden orange and red hues from the sun setting reflecting over Stiffkey saltmarsh.
Reposted by Nature Champions
wtscotsocial.bsky.social
📣 Today is the LAST DAY to nominate your favourite 'culturally important' tree to be UK tree of the Year 2025! 👇
wtscotsocial.bsky.social
Last year, the mighty #SkipinnishOak won #TreeoftheYear. Can another Scottish tree take this year's crown? We've had some crackers in the past 👇. Tell us about your favourite 'culturally important' tree by 30 Jun. 📩 [email protected] 🙏 Players of People's #PostcodeLottery
➡️ buff.ly/77skTq6
naturechampions.bsky.social
It's Swift Awareness Week!

Swifts are our most aerial of birds, spending nearly all of their time on the wing!

Although widespread, swift numbers have declined rapidly, with as many as 65% lost between 1995 and 2015.

Join a Swift event near you!
rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...
Image of a Swift in flight
Reposted by Nature Champions
wtscotsocial.bsky.social
Cross-party politicians celebrated #ScotlandsRainforest in Holyrood yesterday ahead of a new report by @asrainforest.bsky.social‬ outlining progress partners have made towards restoring Scotland’s temperate rainforest, one of the country’s rarest & most threatened habitats. Report 👉 bit.ly/3GaLfZc
A group of 20 MSPs standing at the foot of a flight of stairs in the Scottish Parliament smiling at the camera. At the front, a man is holding a sign that reads 'We heart Scotland's rainforest.' Credit Oliver Ritchie - WTML
naturechampions.bsky.social
Almost two thirds of Scotland’s seabird species have declined over the last 20 years, with eight including the Arctic tern, kittiwake and black-headed gull declining by more than 50%.

Scotland's seabirds are internationally important and they need our protection.

www.nature.scot/seabird-numb...
Image of a nesting kittiwake
naturechampions.bsky.social
Last week, we were delighted to present awards to Nature Champions to celebrate some of their fantastic work so far over this parliament. 🏆

Many congratulations to all the nominees and winners!

@willierennie.bsky.social @cgrahamemsp.bsky.social @ariane-burgess.bsky.social @monicalennon.bsky.social
Image of Willie Rennie MSP and Christine Grahame holding their 'Turning Tide' awards. Image of Graham Simpson MSP being presented with his 'Muddy Boots' award. Image of Ariane Burgess MSP being presented her 'Natterjack Award'. Staff from Woodland Trust Scotland collecting the 'Beastie's Bestie' award on behalf of Monica Lennon MSP.
Reposted by Nature Champions
scotlink.bsky.social
Yesterday LINK members came together with MSPs to celebrate the Nature Champions initiative!

The event was a great chance to connect and pay recognition to the fantastic work our MSP Nature Champions and members do to bring a voice for nature into the Scottish parliament.
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scotlink.bsky.social
Stand Up for Nature!

Scotland’s nature is struggling, but the Natural Environment Bill could be a turning point.

We need to show MSPs that nature matters to Scotland’s people.

📆Thursday 12 June
🕒12:30-2pm
📍Scottish parliament

Join the demo:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stand-up-f...
Reposted by Nature Champions
scotlink.bsky.social
"We’ve organised the Stand Up for Nature demonstration outside the Scottish parliament to show MSPs that people want restoring nature to be a priority."

Read more about next week's #ScotlandLovesNature demo outside the Scottish parliament in Deadline News:

www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2025/06/04/e...
Environment membership body organises demo
In advance of a bill being debated in Scottish Parliament, an environmental membership body has set up a demonstration.
www.deadlinenews.co.uk
naturechampions.bsky.social
Sunday marked the inaugural 'International Wild Salmon Day' - a day to highlight the threats that wild salmon face and the solutions to safeguard them. 🐟

Edward Mountain MSP, Champion for the Atlantic Salmon, lodged a motion to recognise this important cause:

www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...
Image of an Atlantic Salmon leaping upstream.