We’ve some brilliant news! We’ve successfully moved a family of seven beavers to
@RSPBLochLomond
to help speed up their return to the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve.
#BeaversAreBack
🦫
Read all about it here:
How's this for a photobomb?! Amanda Pache caught this robin on camera as she was filming a walk in the snow. As Amanda said in her message to us: "Talk about robbin' the limelight!" 😁
We're delighted to hear that
@tesco
have taken down the nets from their North Berwick store, providing migrating house martins access to their nesting sites. We commend this decision and applaud the people of North Berwick for showing so much passion in standing up for nature.
Scientists in Norway have discovered that blue tits use medicinal plants to disinfect their living spaces. They use aromatic plants such as lavender, mint, and curry leaves, which kill bacteria, to line their nests
#Springwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
The satellite tag from a missing golden eagle has been found wrapped in lead sheeting, antenna cut off, thrown in a Highland river. These appalling crimes against our protected raptors must be stopped. We NEED robust regulation from Scottish Government.
Approval of the
#Rosebank
project is nothing short of a disaster. It flies in the face of our climate & nature emergency, and further undermines and compromises the UK’s efforts to meet its net zero commitments. 🧵1/5
📷 Paul Turner
Fantastic news! The Scottish Parliament has just passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill.
More than 25 years ago Donald Dewar – Scotland’s first First Minister – described crimes against birds of prey as a ‘national disgrace’.
RSPB Scotland has been campaigning for…
We are delighted that
@scotgov
has today announced its intention to close Scottish waters to industrial sandeel fishing!
We have championed this cause for over 25 years, and last year over 11,000 supporters voiced their support for this closure!
📷 Ben Andrew
Orkney has its first white-tailed eagle chick for over 140 years! We think there could be more than one in the eyrie in Hoy: Here's some fantastic footage of the parents taken by Raymond Besant, .
We’re excited to share that as of today
@scotgov
have closed all Scottish waters to industrial sandeel fishing! Happening just in time for the start of the seabird breeding season, this historic and positive move throws them a crucial lifeline at a time they are under increasing…
Today’s conviction of a gamekeeper who pleaded guilty to shooting a Sparrowhawk whilst employed on Moy Estate, Inverness, was the result of great partnership working between multiple agencies. The illegal and unjustified killing of birds of prey must STOP.
The UK Government’s announcements last week represent one of the biggest attacks on nature laws that we’ve ever seen.
Some of the UK Government’s plans threaten the future of nature in Scotland. Please read and share. 🧵👇
📷 Katie Nethercoat
1/2. We're deeply concerned by
@Tesco
's use of netting to prevent birds nesting at their North Berwick store. We cannot keep trying to squeeze nature into smaller and smaller spaces or demanding it fits in with our plans.
BREAKING NEWS: We need your help to
#SaveCoulLinks
Highland Councillors have voted to approve plans for a golf course on this protected site. Add your voice to our campaign urging Scottish Ministers to call in the plans and stop this happening
📷Vince Lowe
We just love pine martens – just look at this wee beauty 🤎 And did you know that the Gaelic word for pine marten is taghan 😊
#Winterwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
📷Paul Turner
Good news incoming!
Corncrake numbers in Scotland have risen for the first time in five years, our annual survey has revealed.
This year 870 calling males were recorded, up from 828 in 2022.
This marks a return to levels not seen since 2019…
BREAKING NEWS: Coul Links planning permission REFUSED by
@ScotGovPlanning
. THANK YOU to everyone who raised their voice to
#SaveCoulLinks
. Read our response here
Exciting news! Golden eagles have returned to Orkney and are breeding here for the first time in almost 40 years! Earlier this year we spotted a pair nesting at our reserve in Hoy, and can confirm they now have chicks! Read more here:
📷Christine Hall
Let's hope we get plenty of eagle action on
#Winterwatch
over the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime, here's a beautiful white-tailed eagle doing what they do best.
@BBCSpringwatch
Golden eagles have returned to Orkney and are breeding for the first time in almost 40 years! Earlier this year we spotted a pair nesting at our reserve in Hoy, and can confirm they now have chicks!
@BBCSpringwatch
#Springwatch
📷 Christine Hall
Right now, the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill is making its way through the Scottish Parliament.
We support this Bill and believe it will bring us closer to consigning the illegal killing of birds of prey to the history books
👉
The persecution of raptors must end.
Tonight's Springwatch footage of a buzzard beaten to death is shocking, but it's important to shine a light on what goes on.
#SaveOurWildIsles
We are disappointed by Scottish Ministers’ decision to allow goose hunting to continue on the Solway at a time when this internationally important wetland habitat is subject to the most serious outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ever in the UK.
The beavers are settling in at
@RSPBLochLomond
- we caught this clip on a night vision camera of one trying to collect as many of the apples we'd put out as possible!! 🦫😮
Read our latest
#blog
which reflects on what it was like to be at the release:
And then there were two 🦅
After their first chick hatched on Friday night, white-tailed eagle pair Shona and Finn welcomed their second this morning.
You can see all this action LIVE at the Nature Centre at
@RSPBLochGarten
.
Mountain Hares are so sweet! Did you know their back paws are heavily furred just like little snow shoes? This lets them spread their weight over a larger surface area and avoid sinking into the snow ❄️
#Winterwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
@RSPBLochGarten
@RSPBNorthScot
In light of
@NFUStweets
' comments today, it is worth remembering that the world is in a climate and nature crisis, and Scotland is part of it.
Read on for our thoughts 👇🧵(1/14)
📷 Amy Millard
We’re delighted to have been granted a licence by
@nature_scot
to move a family of beavers to our
@RSPBLochLomond
nature reserve in
@lomondtrossachs
, following extensive local community engagement. Read more here:
📸 Wild Intrigue
In the last ten years, nearly 200 confirmed raptor persecution incidents have been uncovered on Scotland’s grouse moors. Only 5 people were prosecuted. The law is not protecting our birds of prey. It’s time to licence grouse shooting.
#EnoughIsEnough
Skye and Frisa are the UK's oldest known white-tailed eagle pair and have been together for 25 years! To mark the special occasion, they've recently fledged their 25th chick together 🦅
Read the story here:
📷 Jim Manthorpe, BBC Winterwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
Black Birders Week sparked a conversation about diversity in birding. Edinburgh based Sorrel Lyall spoke up about her experiences as a birder from an ethnic minority background. We've worked with her to make short film about diversity. Watch the film here:
Our photo of the week is this incredible action shot of a gannet mid-dive!
Thanks to Ewan Miles from
@Nature_Scotland
for sharing this photo taken on a recent Sea Life Mull tour off the north coast of the island.
Look at those eyes! 🦉
Did you know short-eared owls are a common sight in Orkney, where they go by the name “catty face” 🐱
#Winterwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
📷 Ben Andrew
WHAT A SHOW.
Pine marten, red squirrels, badgers, crossbills, and eagles! What more could you want? Well, even more please! Cannot wait for tomorrow night to see more of the incredible wildlife of the Cairngorms 😍🐱🦉
#Winterwatch
@Natures_Voice
@RSPBLochGarten
@BBCSpringwatch
Phew! First show complete but tune in tomorrow night at **9pm** for more adventures! Iolo will be looking for wildcats, a kestrel and a barn owl contend for best hunter and we'll be exploring how nature saved the lives of two men.
#Winterwatch
1/3. We are currently working with Scottish Fire and Rescue, other landowners, and our neighbours to control the wildfire at Cannich, which has spread to our Corrimony nature reserve.
A huge thank you to everyone for all of their efforts.
WHOLESOME CONTENT ALERT 😊
Any excuse to re-share this lovely video of our own Scott Shanks' close encounter with a fox in Yorkhill Park, Glasgow.
@8outof10bats
#8OutOf10Bats
Appalling news about the suspicious disappearance of 2 more sat-tagged golden eagles on a Strathbraan grouse moor, a few miles from where
#Rannoch
the
#henharrier
was killed by an illegal trap. This has to end. It’s time to license driven grouse shooting.
We often see cats enjoying
#Springwatch
on Twitter, but how does yours compare to this impressive trio? A few ways to tell Scottish Wildcats apart from domestic tabbies are their stocky build, unbroken striped pattern and blunt, bushy tails.
Image credit
@SaveOurWildcats
&
@rzss
Did you know curlews are known as ‘whaups’, ‘whaaps’, ‘whaps’, ‘willie-whaups’ or ‘whittericks’ in Scotland? Their beaks are called ‘whaup-nebs’ or ‘whaap-nebs’, and to make their calls is to ‘wheeple’, ‘whipple’ or ‘willie-whae’!
#WorldCurlewDay
Just like the birds themselves, white tailed eagle nests start big and get bigger. Known as an eyrie, parents will often add more material every year until they’re several metres wide 🦅
#Springwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
Yesterday it was the jack snipe and today it’s dippers.
#Winterwatch
love their dancing birds this year.
Dip into our blog to find out more:
@BBCSpringwatch
📷Tom Marshall
Any excuse to share this! Curlews are known as ‘whaups’, ‘whaaps’, ‘whaps’, ‘willie-whaups’ or ‘whittericks’ in Scotland. Their beaks are called ‘whaup-nebs’ or ‘whaap-nebs’, and to make their calls is to ‘wheeple’, ‘whipple’ or ‘willie-whae’!
#Springwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
Did you know that the Gaelic for Red Squirrel is Feòrag Ruadh?
These incredible little creatures can rotate their feet 180°, the double-jointed ankles on their hind legs are great for darting up or down trees 🐿️
#Winterwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
RSPB Scotland has been concerned to see moorland burning continuing in recent days. With the current high fire risk, we're calling on all landowners to suspend muirburn immediately to allow emergency services to deal with the Covid19 crisis.
This incredible shot from
@ronpon_ron
is our
#PhotoOfTheWeek
. This picture shows two Gannets, one with a fully black iris, marking it as a survivor of bird flu.
Read more about this amazing discovery here:
🧵1/ This 👇 is deeply worrying! Some of the laws under attack here also protect nature in Scotland. We hope
@scotgov
takes every possible action to safeguard Scotland's wildlife.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s a flying barn door! Seeing the massive frame of a white tailed eagle in flight is an incredible sight. They’ve certainly earned their nickname 🦅
@BBCSpringwatch
#Springwatch
Find out more here:
Look at that splendid beak 🧡 Hawfinches are a rare sight here in Scotland – have you been lucky enough to see one?
@BBCSpringwatch
#Winterwatch
Find out more about these gorgeous birds here:
Happy
#RedSquirrelAppreciationDay
We are very much appreciating this video our comms officer Molly took of a
#RedSquirrel
tucking into its lunch! They eat seeds, mainly pine, spruce and larch and you can often find nibbled pine cones on the forest floor so keep your eyes peeled!
Great news for Scotland’s birds of prey!
RSPB Scotland warmly welcomes today’s announcement that the Scottish Government is intending to introduce a licensing scheme for grouse shooting.
Did you know great spotted woodpeckers change their diet between the seasons? In winter, when insects are scarce, they will rely on berries and nuts, and are much more likely to be seen in gardens going for feeders! Have you seen any near you?
#Winterwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
Dave Sexton is our Mull eagle officer. He's used to working with our largest bird of prey, the white-tailed eagle. But this spring, one of our smallest garden birds seems to have won his heart... 🤔
@BBCSpringwatch
#Springwatch
Wonderful to see our own Dave Sexton on
#Winterwatch
, talking about two birds he’s shared some incredible memories with over the years, Skye and Frisa.
Read about one of nature's greatest love stories here❤️
@BBCSpringwatch
@skyeandfrisa
📷Ruth Peacey, BBC
Sadly, across many parts of the UK, cuckoos are declining but recent figures show that in Scotland cuckoos are thriving with numbers up 54% between 1995 and 2018
#Springwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
@Natures_Voice
We’re calling for an immediate halt to mountain hare culls on back of shocking new data published by the EU. It reveals major mountain hare population declines and as a result their status has been downgraded to unfavourable. Read more here:
1. Today
@scotgov
has made the welcome proposal to consult on measures to stop damaging industrial sandeel fishing by EU vessels in Scottish waters. Having campaigned for this for decades, we are thrilled to see this come forwards. Read more 👇
📷 Katie Nethercoat
@MairiMcAllan
Looks like a bee doesn’t it? Look closer, it’s actually a rare bee beetle spotted by our comms officer Molly. This cunning critter mimics bees. Known as Batesian mimicry, it confuses potential predators into thinking it is a dangerous, sting-bearing bee – genius 🐝
#TriviaTuesday
A good day for Scotland’s uplands!
Licensing of grouse shooting, regulation of muirburn and grouse medication, now join intended protection of mountain hares. We hope our birds of prey will have a safer future on our moors.
Read our full response:
Meet Shona and Finn🦅
These beautiful white-tailed eagles have set up a home in the vast
@CairngormsCo
landscape with LIVE footage being beamed to the Nature Centre at
@RSPBLochGarten
.
The centre is open from today, so pop in and enjoy this rare and privileged peek at eagle life.
There is absolutely no doubt that capercaillie are an incredibly special species and an icon of our beautiful ancient pine forests. That's why it's so important to respect them and protect them
#Springwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
@RSPBLochGarten
Goshawks build their nests close to the trunk of trees and raise their young between March and June. They breed for the first time at two years old and lay between two and four eggs. What BEAUTIFUL woodland predators!
#Springwatch
Did you know? Dippers are amazing underwater hunters!
They feed on small aquatic invertebrates and fish, which they catch by walking along the bottom of fast flowing rivers and streams. By stretching out their wings against the current, dippers manage to stay submerged.
Exciting news for Scottish Cranes!
For the first time, a colour-ringed Crane from England has been seen in Scotland. Not only that, but she seems to have paired up with a Scottish bird!
Sherry was born in Somerset to parents who were released as part of the Great Crane Project.…
Today a new study “The Economic Impact of White-Tailed Eagles on the Isle of Mull” has revealed the scale of the economic benefits that white-tailed eagles bring to the island.
This week,
@ScotParl
will debate the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill. This is a chance to tackle raptor persecution - the illegal killing of birds of prey. Our Head of Land and Species Duncan Orr Ewing explains more in this video.
A huge thank you to the 11,000 plus people who backed our call to
#SaveCoulLinks
! Coul Links is one of Scotland's last remaining undeveloped dune habitats, and is a precious protected habitat. Today the Scottish Government has called-in plans to build a golf course at Coul Links.
Adding water to your garden is one of the best things you can do to attract wildlife, like this tiny frog that found its way into Anna's pond! Read Anna's top tips here:
#Springwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
Shona and Finn, the white-tailed eagle pair nesting in the
@CairngormsCo
landscape are now proud parents!
Watch the video below for one of the first glimpses of the newborn chick. Or better yet, pop into the Nature Centre at
@RSPBLochGarten
to see the action live!
Some fascinating insights into the science around red squirrel conservation on
#Autumnwatch
Check out our blog for some more facts about one of our most iconic animals:
@BBCSpringwatch
📷 Louise Greenhorn
Robins are hugely territorial. They are one of the few birds in the UK that sing all year round due to the importance of holding winter territories
Have you heard a robin singing this winter? 🎶
#Winterwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
Islay is an incredible place for wildlife all year round :-) Have you visited our reserves on this amazing island; Loch Gruinart and The Oa?
#Winterwatch
Commercial peat extraction is bad for the climate and wildlife. RSPB Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to phase out the practice as soon as possible - but you can also help to end the practice now. See the devastating impact in our new video:
What a fantastic day this has been for Scotland's seabirds, as
@scotgov
announced an end to industrial sandeel fishing in Scottish waters. Watch below, as our Director,
@stranyannie
, reflects on this milestone moment 👇
What an incredible response to our e-action following the recent
#AttackOnNature
. As Stephen says we’ve got a fight on our hands - but there’s loads of us!
Nature needs us now! If you haven't already tell your MP how you feel. Our e-action is here ➡️
Good morning Birdwatchers! Welcome to day 2 of
#BigGardenBirdWatch
, hands up who is taking part today! 👋😀
Please share your
#BigGardenBirdWatch
photos with us, we love to see how you all join in!
White-tailed eagles were first reintroduced on the west coast of Scotland in the 1970s, with the first pair breeding in 1983 and the first chick fledging in 1985:
#Autumnwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
The “GloriousTwelfth” marks the start of the Grouse Shooting Season. But there is nothing glorious about the continued illegal killing of birds of prey on grouse moors.
#EnoughIsEnough
– the Scottish Government must introduce licensing of the industry now:
There are lots of ways you can do a little and have a big impact for wildlife. We have lots of suggestions for helping hedgehogs - why not start with a hedgehog cafe? ☕🦔
#Autumnwatch
@BBCSpringwatch
After our appeal yesterday,
@nature_scot
have decided to suspend culling of the Greenland barnacle geese on Islay. This is a very welcome decision. We want to reiterate the importance of keeping disturbance of wildfowl populations to a minimum to avoid spreading Avian Flu.
RSPB Scotland wants a suspension of wildfowl shooting on the Solway and on Islay to help deal with an unprecedented outbreak of Avian Flu. Our Head of Habitats and Species Paul Walton explains more in this video.