Rob Thomas
@robthomasbirds.bsky.social
Bird-watcher & conservationist in and from Wales. Roles include Associate Researcher at Cardiff Uni, co-Director of Eco-explore CIC, Trustee of Initiative for Nature Conservation Cymru & Craig y Rhondda. Views are my own, but you are welcome to share them!
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
![Comic. [2x2 chart. Top left quadrant: seem like dinosaurs x are dinosaurs. Silhouettes of dinosaurs stegosaurus, triceratops, tyrannosaurus, velociraptor, and long-neck dinosaur. Top right quadrant: seem like dinosaurs x are not dinosaurs. Silhouettes of mosasaur, quetzalcoatlus, dimetrodon, plesiosaur, and pteranodon. Bottom left quadrant: don’t seem like dinosaurs x are dinosaurs. Silhouettes of penguin, egret, ostrich, pigeon, falcon. Bottom right: don’t seem like dinosaurs x are not dinosaurs. Silhouettes of squirrel, stapler, plant, person, and bicycle.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihcxd5wcrrf5nxz3g4riglsrccbucmdns6kxrtmtj6gjgwqibp3fi@jpeg)
February 9, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Meanwhile, scientists appointed by over 150 governments have today warned nature and ecosystems are being destroyed at a terrifying rate and could soon take the global economy down with them. www.businessgreen.com/news/4525406...
'Scientific reality check': Businesses warned they 'risk extinction' as nature loss accelerates
Landmark report from Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services warns continued failure to account for nature-related risks threatens catastrophic economic fallout
www.businessgreen.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Meanwhile, scientists appointed by over 150 governments have today warned nature and ecosystems are being destroyed at a terrifying rate and could soon take the global economy down with them. www.businessgreen.com/news/4525406...
Fascinating reading about evidence for Fallow Deer associated with Roman sites in SE England. Please empark sensibly. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Fallow deer (Dama dama dama) management in Roman South-East Britain - Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
This paper presents new carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope data for European fallow deer (Dama dama dama) in Roman Britain and discusses results in light of evidence from classical texts, landscape ...
link.springer.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Fascinating reading about evidence for Fallow Deer associated with Roman sites in SE England. Please empark sensibly. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Join us for FREE events introducing you to the Breeding Bird Survey @bbs-birds.bsky.social 🐦 Book now ➡️ www.bto.org/events
These events are taking place across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are run by our expert teams. #Ornithology
These events are taking place across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are run by our expert teams. #Ornithology
February 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Join us for FREE events introducing you to the Breeding Bird Survey @bbs-birds.bsky.social 🐦 Book now ➡️ www.bto.org/events
These events are taking place across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are run by our expert teams. #Ornithology
These events are taking place across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are run by our expert teams. #Ornithology
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Our new guidance note/protocol for using sound recorders to detect Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers gives practical details for using Song Meter Mini & Micro recorders from Wildlife Acoustics in woodland with suitable habitat & has proved a great success www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Woodpecker Network - Setting up and using sound recorders for detecting Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers
A forum to encourage and facilitate the study of woodpeckers in Britain and Ireland
www.woodpecker-network.org.uk
February 8, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Our new guidance note/protocol for using sound recorders to detect Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers gives practical details for using Song Meter Mini & Micro recorders from Wildlife Acoustics in woodland with suitable habitat & has proved a great success www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
A favourite from the southern oceans was Black-bellied Storm-Petrel. Similar to the numerous Wilson's Storm-Petrels they share the seas with from above, they show their striking underside as they bank. Often seen delicately bouncing over the surface, feet pattering.
#Birds #SuperSeabirdSunday
#Birds #SuperSeabirdSunday
February 8, 2026 at 10:16 AM
A favourite from the southern oceans was Black-bellied Storm-Petrel. Similar to the numerous Wilson's Storm-Petrels they share the seas with from above, they show their striking underside as they bank. Often seen delicately bouncing over the surface, feet pattering.
#Birds #SuperSeabirdSunday
#Birds #SuperSeabirdSunday
Reposted by Rob Thomas
🚨 Want to work with Little Terns?
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
February 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
🚨 Want to work with Little Terns?
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Yesterday took a tour in Tauranga ( New Zealand)bay of Plenty to see dolphins, yet encounter this cute white face storm petrel literally dancing or running on water
#birdofthday #birdoftheworld #birdpins #birdseenin2026 #seenin2026 #birdsofnewzealand #birdofbluesky #birding #photography
#birdofthday #birdoftheworld #birdpins #birdseenin2026 #seenin2026 #birdsofnewzealand #birdofbluesky #birding #photography
February 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Yesterday took a tour in Tauranga ( New Zealand)bay of Plenty to see dolphins, yet encounter this cute white face storm petrel literally dancing or running on water
#birdofthday #birdoftheworld #birdpins #birdseenin2026 #seenin2026 #birdsofnewzealand #birdofbluesky #birding #photography
#birdofthday #birdoftheworld #birdpins #birdseenin2026 #seenin2026 #birdsofnewzealand #birdofbluesky #birding #photography
Always an honour to appear in a Philip Amies mega-thread :)
My undergraduate dissertation in the 1990s was based on mapping some 500 bird territories in woodland and shrubland. The premise being vegetation structure not plant species determining some bird communities.
February 5, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Always an honour to appear in a Philip Amies mega-thread :)
Reposted by Rob Thomas
How much temperate rainforest could there be in the UK and Ireland, and where? Despite campaigns calling for restoration in both countries, these questions have been difficult to answer. In our new paper we assess the evidence base 🌏🧪🌐🌳🌲 1/9
Comparison of three temperate rainforest climate envelopes for Britain and Ireland: Where could our rainforest be?
There are multiple methods for creating climate envelopes for temperate rainforest, and these climate envelopes result in different extents across Ireland and Britain. An awareness of these differenc...
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:32 AM
How much temperate rainforest could there be in the UK and Ireland, and where? Despite campaigns calling for restoration in both countries, these questions have been difficult to answer. In our new paper we assess the evidence base 🌏🧪🌐🌳🌲 1/9
Reposted by Rob Thomas
People of Leeds and surrounding.
We got a small crew doing a big ancient woodland restoration job 7th and 8th February and I need a LOT more of you to mangle all this rhododendron.
Address – Weston Woods, Weston Lane, Weston, N Yorks. LS21 2HW W3W
www.protect.earth/events/otley...
We got a small crew doing a big ancient woodland restoration job 7th and 8th February and I need a LOT more of you to mangle all this rhododendron.
Address – Weston Woods, Weston Lane, Weston, N Yorks. LS21 2HW W3W
www.protect.earth/events/otley...
Volunteers Wanted for Rhododendron Removal near Otley, West Yorkshire — Protect Earth
www.protect.earth
February 4, 2026 at 9:05 PM
People of Leeds and surrounding.
We got a small crew doing a big ancient woodland restoration job 7th and 8th February and I need a LOT more of you to mangle all this rhododendron.
Address – Weston Woods, Weston Lane, Weston, N Yorks. LS21 2HW W3W
www.protect.earth/events/otley...
We got a small crew doing a big ancient woodland restoration job 7th and 8th February and I need a LOT more of you to mangle all this rhododendron.
Address – Weston Woods, Weston Lane, Weston, N Yorks. LS21 2HW W3W
www.protect.earth/events/otley...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Reposted by Rob Thomas
The new Missing Records file is now live on the BB website, please have a look at britishbirds.co.uk/rarities-com... and consider submitting any outstanding rarities that you may have been lucky enough to discover in 2025. Thanks.
Missing records - British Birds
Download missing BBRC records Updated: 3 February 2025 This file contains details of all birds and/or...
britishbirds.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The new Missing Records file is now live on the BB website, please have a look at britishbirds.co.uk/rarities-com... and consider submitting any outstanding rarities that you may have been lucky enough to discover in 2025. Thanks.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
We are receiving increased reports of dead auks, including Puffins, particularly in North East Scotland. It's quick and easy to report any dead or sick birds you find through the 'Deceased bird' function on the home page of the BirdTrack app
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
February 3, 2026 at 4:57 PM
We are receiving increased reports of dead auks, including Puffins, particularly in North East Scotland. It's quick and easy to report any dead or sick birds you find through the 'Deceased bird' function on the home page of the BirdTrack app
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
Photo: Puffin by Richard Selman / BTO
#ukbirding
Reposted by Rob Thomas
🚨 We’re recruiting!
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
February 3, 2026 at 6:01 PM
🚨 We’re recruiting!
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re looking for a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistant Wardens to help protect the Beacon Ponds Little Tern colony at Spurn.
👉 Apply: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
Reposted by Rob Thomas
The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) is seeking a scientist in wildlife biology, ecology, or a closely related discipline, with a focus on movement ecology, spatial data analysis, and/or scavenger and carnivore systems.
Read and apply here: tinyurl.com/mr3x7uwk
Read and apply here: tinyurl.com/mr3x7uwk
February 2, 2026 at 6:21 PM
The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) is seeking a scientist in wildlife biology, ecology, or a closely related discipline, with a focus on movement ecology, spatial data analysis, and/or scavenger and carnivore systems.
Read and apply here: tinyurl.com/mr3x7uwk
Read and apply here: tinyurl.com/mr3x7uwk
I’m on the 22:31 Gavin and Stacey to Llanishen.
January 30, 2026 at 10:32 PM
I’m on the 22:31 Gavin and Stacey to Llanishen.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Fancy experiencing life on a remote island bird observatory? We're looking for spring/summer volunteers (see following thread)! 1/4
*Appointment of these voluntary positions is conditional upon the outcome of a tender that has not yet been awarded (as of 30/01/26).
Shag and birding 📸s: Kate Fox
*Appointment of these voluntary positions is conditional upon the outcome of a tender that has not yet been awarded (as of 30/01/26).
Shag and birding 📸s: Kate Fox
January 30, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Fancy experiencing life on a remote island bird observatory? We're looking for spring/summer volunteers (see following thread)! 1/4
*Appointment of these voluntary positions is conditional upon the outcome of a tender that has not yet been awarded (as of 30/01/26).
Shag and birding 📸s: Kate Fox
*Appointment of these voluntary positions is conditional upon the outcome of a tender that has not yet been awarded (as of 30/01/26).
Shag and birding 📸s: Kate Fox
Big night out at Clwb y Bont in Pontypridd, to see the wonderful Eve Goodman and Sera, with a supporting cast of the whole of Côr y Bont.
January 30, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Big night out at Clwb y Bont in Pontypridd, to see the wonderful Eve Goodman and Sera, with a supporting cast of the whole of Côr y Bont.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Taxonomy and phylogeny are two sides of the same coin, but that doesn't mean they are always in agreement. I wrote a blog post on why the new Phylogeny Explorer in @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social is such a big deal in that regard, and what's in store next for us.
eliotmiller.weebly.com/blog/birds-o...
eliotmiller.weebly.com/blog/birds-o...
Birds of World's new Phylogeny Explorer
It’s been an exciting week. Five years in the making, we’re very excited to release this new, updated, dynamic phylogeny of the world’s birds. By harnessing Open Tree of Life ’s existing...
eliotmiller.weebly.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Taxonomy and phylogeny are two sides of the same coin, but that doesn't mean they are always in agreement. I wrote a blog post on why the new Phylogeny Explorer in @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social is such a big deal in that regard, and what's in store next for us.
eliotmiller.weebly.com/blog/birds-o...
eliotmiller.weebly.com/blog/birds-o...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
1/ Spotted Flycatchers are in trouble, declining by 92% in the UK between 1967 and 2020. New work led by @cateden91.bsky.social & involving BTO has revealed the importance of rivers for the survival of this Red-listed migratory species. ⬇️ #Ornithology
📖 www.bto.org/Spotted-Flyc...
📖 www.bto.org/Spotted-Flyc...
January 29, 2026 at 8:42 AM
1/ Spotted Flycatchers are in trouble, declining by 92% in the UK between 1967 and 2020. New work led by @cateden91.bsky.social & involving BTO has revealed the importance of rivers for the survival of this Red-listed migratory species. ⬇️ #Ornithology
📖 www.bto.org/Spotted-Flyc...
📖 www.bto.org/Spotted-Flyc...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
SUCH good news! Well done #Scotland....
And WOOHOO @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social !!!
England???
#swifts #birds
And WOOHOO @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social !!!
England???
#swifts #birds
Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
January 28, 2026 at 6:16 PM
SUCH good news! Well done #Scotland....
And WOOHOO @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social !!!
England???
#swifts #birds
And WOOHOO @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social !!!
England???
#swifts #birds
There are infants and children in this photo.
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
January 28, 2026 at 12:12 AM
There are infants and children in this photo.
Extra bonus of working on Cathedral Road -watching Goosanders fishing under Cardiff Bridge :)
January 27, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Extra bonus of working on Cathedral Road -watching Goosanders fishing under Cardiff Bridge :)
Reposted by Rob Thomas
H5N2 HPAIV from a peregrine falcon on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan - reassortant between H5N8 and LPAI. PA protein contained uncommon residues, S224P and N383D, associated with enhanced pathogenicity
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
January 27, 2026 at 12:11 AM
H5N2 HPAIV from a peregrine falcon on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan - reassortant between H5N8 and LPAI. PA protein contained uncommon residues, S224P and N383D, associated with enhanced pathogenicity
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...