RSPB Scotland
@rspbscotland.bsky.social
3.7K followers 94 following 340 posts
Protecting and restoring habitats, saving species and helping end the nature and climate emergency in Scotland.
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rspbscotland.bsky.social
Shout out to Swifts this #WorldMigratoryBirdDay!

These aerial acrobats have left our skies for winter, but fewer Swifts are returning to Scotland in spring each year.

You can help 👉 Join our call to get Swift bricks in the Natural Environment Bill: action.rspb.org.uk/page/177329/...
rspbscotland.bsky.social
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
rspbscotland.bsky.social
When we work together, nature wins 💪

The vital support of RSPB members helps restore habitats, protect species and encourage decision-makers to act for nature.

Thank you to our members across Scotland for helping secure a brighter future for our natural environment 🎉
Flock of geese in flight over the loch at RSPB Loch Leven Nature Reserve
rspbscotland.bsky.social
📷 Great Yellow Bumblebee by David Wood (rspb-images.com)

@nffn.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
rspbscotland.bsky.social
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
rspbscotland.bsky.social
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.
rspbscotland.bsky.social
LIFE 100% for Nature is supported by the LIFE Programme, @naturescot.bsky.social, The Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme, @cairngormsconnect.bsky.social, The Famous Grouse and many others.
rspbscotland.bsky.social
LIFE 100% for Nature is celebrating some wins for Scotland’s wildlife 🙌

The groundbreaking project shows how funding, partnership and innovative approaches to nature conservation can help wildlife thrive and benefit our communities 💚

Read the report 👉 www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/new...
Group of cattle at RSPB Scotland Abernethy nature reserve Volunteers removing scrub at RSPB Scotland Culbin Sands Surveying Montane Willow Opening pools on Tiree
rspbscotland.bsky.social
But just 5% of current farm funding directly supports farmers and crofters to adopt nature-friendly farming practices. This needs to change.

Join us in calling for this to increased to at least 25% in 2026 and more in the future: action.rspb.org.uk/page/174887/...
rspbscotland.bsky.social
We are delighted to be at the Scottish Summit of the Nature Friendly Farming Network today!

Across the country, pioneering farmers and crofters are proving nature-friendly farming can produce the food we need while looking after nature and our climate 🐦🌻🚜.

#ScottishNFFNSummit25
@nnfn.bsky.social
Two people stood in front of a table and two banners with pictures of birds on and the words Working in partnership with farmers and crofters. Both have big smiles on their faces.
rspbscotland.bsky.social
We’re looking forward to meeting lots of inspiring nature-friendly farmers at the @nffnsnc13.bsky.social summit tomorrow 🌱🧑‍🌾

Farmer Andrew Whiteford shares one of the ways farming can help create safer spaces for wildlife and give species like Corn Buntings a chance to thrive 💚
rspbscotland.bsky.social
It’s #NationalPoetryDay.
To celebrate we’re sharing poet Jenny Lester’s poem about one of our favourite birds!
Enjoy folks 🤎

Sexual Dimorphism in birds
or Blackbirds are brown half of the time

Dapple brown feather down
Speckled white throat
When they gave me my name
I didn’t get a vote
A social media tiles with a cut out image of a female Blackbird accompanied by the words:
Blackbirds are brown half of the time / Or Sexual Dimorphism in birds

Daple brown feather down
Speckled white throat
When they gave me my name
I didn’t get a vote
rspbscotland.bsky.social
🚨Good to see today's committee report calling for major improvements to Scotland’s new nature law.

Part 2 of the Natural Environment Bill could significantly weaken protections for Scotland’s wildlife – from seabird colonies at Bass Rock to Golden Eagles in the Cairngorms.

It must be fixed!
A  blue tile with an RSPB Scotland logo at the bottom and a statement that reads “The Natural Environment Bill could be a gamechanger for Scotland’s nature.

We are pleased to see strong support in today’s report from the committee for the introduction of legal nature restoration targets, along with reforms to deer management and National Parks.
 
It is also reassuring that they recognised that Part 2 of the bill poses a significant risk to wildlife in our most iconic landscapes.
 
RSPB Scotland remains convinced that Part 2 of the Natural Environment Bill is unnecessary.
 
We are calling on the Scottish Government to remove or significantly amend this section.
 
The Natural Environment Bill must drive the recovery of nature in Scotland – not take us further away from it.”
Red squirrel standing by a tree root. It is facing the camera with its left front paw raised slightly off the ground
rspbscotland.bsky.social
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
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 RSPB Scotland
rspbscience.bsky.social
Did you know? Plumicorns aren't for hearing

The long, pointy feathers on some owls' heads are neither horns not ears, but specialised feathers called plumicorns. Their function is not yet fully understood but could help with camouflage

#ScienceFactFriday
A Long-eared Owl stares through foliage at the camera. A label points to the long horn-like feathers on its head, labelling them as plumicorns.
Reposted by RSPB Scotland
nffn.bsky.social
Ruth Ashton-Shaw runs a small organic farm in Scotland, focusing on soil health & working with nature.

Her farm is one example of the solutions we’ll explore at our sold-out Scottish Summit this October.

Thanks @rspbscotland.bsky.social & @naturescot.bsky.social!  💚

👉https://tinyurl.com/yxv2n6ba
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Today we are attending the Gull Summit in Inverness because gulls are in trouble and need help.

You can read more about how we can learn to live with gulls here: www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/new...

📷: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Close up of a Herring Gull looking at the camera with its head thoughtfully tilted to one side
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the mass lobby in Edinburgh today!

Hundreds of people came together to speak up for nature and climate at Scottish Parliament.

If you couldn't make it, you can still make your voice heard:
www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/new...
rspbscotland.bsky.social
The 2025 Cairngorms Wader Survey had record-breaking support from volunteers 🙌

Through the Species Volunteer Network, made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, 62 volunteers took part!

Discover how they're helping important wading bird populations 👇
youtu.be/F2cHCoF8LBM
How volunteers are essential to important work for wading birds in the Cairngorms
YouTube video by RSPB
youtu.be
Reposted by RSPB Scotland
rspbscotland.bsky.social
📢Help save Coul Links!

Once again, this beautiful place is threatened by plans for a golf course which would do irreparable damage to rare habitats and wildlife. 🌱🦆🐦🦋🪰

Join us in sending a message to Scottish Ministers to stand up for nature. Add your voice: action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
Aerial photo of Coul Links showing the sea, dunes, grass and pools behind the dunes in orange sunlight
rspbscotland.bsky.social
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 👇
scotlink.bsky.social
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
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Congratulations to the 2025 #NatureOfScotland Awards finalists, announced at last night’s Shortlist Reception. A huge thank you to everyone who applied for all the incredible work you are doing for nature.

Find out about the finalists on our website:
www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...
2025 Nature of Scotland Awards Winners and Shortlist
Congratulations to all our finalists! The shortlist for the 2025 awards represents a cross-section of businesses, charities, the public sector and individuals working towards conserving the country’s ...
www.rspb.org.uk