Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 17h

Nature lovers and photographers! 🍂

The leaves are turning, the nights are growing longer… and it’s time for seasons to change on our profile.

Share your best autumn snaps in the replies, and we’ll pick a favourite to feature as our cover photo! 😍

A Crested Tit, with its bold spiky crest, stands on a lichen-covered branch. Its soft brown and white feathers blend into the natural tones of the landscape, while its bright red eye adds a pop of colour. Delicate cobwebs cling to the branch, creating a peaceful and autumnal scene.

13 25 200

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 20h

In the Arun Valley, @naturalengland.bsky.social , the Environment Agency & Southern Water worked to find a potential solution that improves water quality & protects wildlife while enabling development.

That’s how good planning works: with nature, not against it. 👇

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Water agreement to allow 21,000 new homes to be built in Sussex

An agreement is reached on new guidelines to protect wetlands and wildlife while building homes.

www.bbc.co.uk

7 94

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 20h

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

13 46 180

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 22h

Today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight... the Fieldfare! 🍒

Flocks arrive from Scandinavia, filling UK hedgerows and fields with their speckled breasts and blue-grey heads, feasting on berries and insects.

2 33 240

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 1d

A very excited Jay just hopped into your scroll...got any acorns? 🍂

📷 John Lindsey

A Jay, with its warm buff body, black moustache mark, and bright blue wing patch, stands on a log with its beak open as if mid-call. Its upright posture and wide-eyed look give the impression of a bold little character announcing itself loudly in the autumn woodland.

4 26 310

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 1d

That's why we've joined with over 170 organisations in writing to the Prime Minister.

Our message is simple: Do not weaken the laws protecting our National Parks and National Landscapes. ❌

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Plans to weaken protections for national parks will have ‘disastrous consequences’ say green groups

Exclusive: Letter from 170-plus organisations calls on government to drop proposed changes to planning law

www.theguardian.com

3 17 88

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 1d

Our National Parks are at risk. ⚠️

From the rugged Lakes to the sweeping South Downs, these landscapes define us and our future. They sustain wildlife, communities and our wellbeing - and they must be protected.

A future that puts them at risk isn't what anyone voted for.

A scenic view of a National Park landscape with a winding stone path leading through green hills and valleys under soft sunlight. In the centre of the image, bold black text on a red-and-black hazard-striped background reads: “DON’T WEAKEN NATIONAL PARK PROTECTIONS.” Below it, in white text, is the hashtag “#NationalParksMatter.”

1 61 220

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 1d

The Wigeon whistles into today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight! 🦆

Numbers swell come autumn as visitors from northern Europe join the UK’s resident birds, creating large flocks on wetlands and lakes.

2 23 170

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 2d

Today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight is the humble Woodpigeon!

Did you know these familiar birds migrate?

From late October to November, huge flocks, sometimes tens of thousands strong, can be spotted flying south on clear, autumn days, while others stay in the UK year-round.

6 27 200

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 2d

Tonight, the Harvest Moon rises: the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. 🌕

October’s full moon is also named the Hunter’s Moon, once marking a time to gather food for winter.

It will be the first of three supermoons this year, glowing bigger & brighter.

Moonrise: 19:44*

A close-up of a glowing full Moon, filling the frame against the black night sky. Its surface is marked with craters and rugged textures. This is a supermoon, appearing larger and brighter than usual.

7 80 490

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 3d

"Just 5 more minutes?" 😴

#MondayMotivation

A red squirrel nestles snugly between two tree branches, its bushy tail curled over its head like a cosy blanket. One sleepy eye peeks out from the fluff, giving the impression of someone hitting snooze on a Monday morning. The golden light and soft focus add to the peaceful, drowsy vibe of this woodland scene.

1 37 250

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 5d

The Redwing steals the show in today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight! 🍂

Their rusty red flanks and soft ‘seep seep’ calls are a sure sign of autumn as flocks sweep in overnight from icy Scandinavia, Iceland and Russia.

Spot them enjoying berries in our fields and hedgerows.

33 240

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 6d

Joining our #AutumnArrivalSpotlight flock today is the Brambling! 🧡

With their striking orange chests and white rumps, these gorgeous northern visitors often mingle with Chaffinches in UK woodlands and fields.

1 24 200

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 6d

A pair of Jays swoop us into the first #FlyDay of October! 😍

📷 @mart-the-gooner.bsky.social

Two Jays in mid-air against a backdrop of golden autumn leaves, one banking sharply with wings fanned wide, the other gliding towards it…dramatically swooping us into October’s first FlyDay.

5 54 340

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 7d

Now is the time to step up to the joint challenges of the climate and nature crises, not back pedal on progress.

The safety, security and prosperity of our wildlife and future generations is dependent on it.

13 150

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 7d

They also say the Act is threatening economic growth.

Again. Nonsensical.

How do more floods, more droughts, and rising temperatures help the economy?

Clearly they don’t, they disrupt it.

2 23 150

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 7d

While saying they want to "preserve nature" the Conservative Party have just pledged to scrap the Climate Change Act.

This makes no sense.

How do more floods, more droughts, and rising temperatures "preserve" nature?

That's what scrapping the Act will lead to.

6 83 290

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 7d

Look to the coasts for Barnacle Geese winging their way into today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight. 👀

Arriving from Greenland, Svalbard & Russia, spot them feeding in coastal marshes.

Fun fact: Never seen nesting here, people once believed they hatched from Goose Barnacles at sea!

3 24 170

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 8d

Oh! A Pink-footed Goose is waddling through your feed. How very silly. 💗

A Pink-footed Goose walking across short green grass, caught mid-step with its head turned slightly to the side. Its pale belly contrasts with darker brown head and barred grey back, while its bright pink legs and feet stand out vividly

3 45 310

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 8d

Golden Plovers dazzle in today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight. ✨

While some stay year-round, their numbers grow in winter as they’re joined by visitors from Scandinavia.

Spot them darting about in fields and estuaries.

20 180

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 9d

Conservation sssssuccess! 🐍

16 years after Smooth Snakes were reintroduced to a Devon site, surveys last year recorded 39 individuals, a 25% jump on the previous high of 31 in 2023.

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

Close-up of a Smooth Snake peering out from beneath its own coiled body. Its round, dark eyes and pointed snout peek through a gap in the overlapping, grey-brown scales patterned with subtle darker edges, giving it excellent camouflage against the leaf litter

3 37 250

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 9d

Hi Rob, you’re absolutely right - we’ve included their pale wing bars as something to look out for!

2 1

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 9d

Autumn arrival alert: the Yellow-browed Warbler has landed! 😍

Once rare, these tiny travellers from Siberia are becoming a more familiar sight as they pass through each autumn.

Weighing just 6 grams, their sharp, distinctive call is usually the first clue they're around.

Have you seen one?

5 28 200

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 10d

Sanderlings scurry into today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight. 🥰

These small, plump waders from the Arctic are a familiar sight on the UK’s sandy shores, darting along the waves in search of food.

3 24 200

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 10d

Monday? You'll have to catch me first 👀

📷 @stormcabbirds.bsky.social

A Peregrine Falcon flies head-on with wings spread wide, talons dangling, and eyes wide with a somewhat crazed expression. It looks like it’s daring Monday to try and keep up...

2 20 260