Wednesday’s lobby of Parliament is an opportunity to ensure the new crop of MPs have climate change high on their list of priorities.  The Climate Coalition will be arguing for a fair and binding global climate deal in Paris at the end of the year while also seeking a comprehensive plan of action at home.

The RSPB and our members will be there in force articulating our concern about the impact of climate change…

Following this week’s public inquiry in Scotland over the proposed Strathy South windfarm in the heart of the Flow Country Country, I’ve been reflecting on how there is still much work to do to make the so-called energy trilemma work for nature.

So, what is this trilemma?

There is growing acceptance that we need an energy system that delivers low bills for customers, provides a security of supply and meets…

As you may have seen in the media coverage yesterday (see here and here), I’m saddened to have to report that a fourth hen harrier nest in Bowland (and the fifth in England*) this year has failed after the adult male disappeared in unexplained circumstances. This is a huge disappointment and heartbreaking for all the RSPB and United Utilities staff and volunteers who put so much into protecting these birds.

I am…

Over recent weeks it has been great to see over 40,000 of our supporters join our campaign to defend the EU Nature Directives - across Europe more than 200,000 have now submitted a response to the Commission's consultation - a record I am told! While defending the directives remains our campaigning priority, we continue to play an active part in the Climate Coalition - a group of over 100 civil society organisations…

A couple of hours ago I posted a short statement in response to some media stories about an estate that was generously given to us I've asked Andre Farrar who has worked for the RSPB for over 30 years and for much of that time in the North West of England to reflect on the difficult and challenging decisions that any responsible charity has to take.

Over my many years working for the RSPB some of my most moving and…

You may have seen some media stories today about an estate that was gifted to us in a will.

We are enormously grateful to those people who are kind enough to leave money and other assets to us in their wills and we always do our best to be respectful of their wishes.  On the rare occasions when it is just not possible to comply with some or all of the wishes of the deceased, then we will work with their families and…

Around the time that I was watching avocet chicks at RSPB's fabulous Frampton Marsh today, a new landmark document was published: the European Red List of Birds*. It’s a landmark because it encourages us to think about conservation beyond national borders and at a continental scale.  I'd like to offer my congratulations to the scientists from across Europe that have compiled this incredibly important report.…

My walk along Hadrian's Wall with my son and Godson last week was a fantastic way to clear my head and see some wildlife. The spin-off benefit was that I immersed myself in the life of Roman Britain so much so that I now feel that I am a scholar of Hadrian himself.

We spent the weekend recovering at our hut on the Northumberland coast watching the gannets and terns crash into the sea with the resident barn owl hunting…

Happy International Biodiversity Day!

Last night, I spoke at the launch of Professor Dieter Helm’s new book, Natural Capital: Valuing the Planet.  It came a day after the launch (which I sadly missed) of another excellent book by Michael McCarthy, The Moth Snowstorm.  One is about the economics of nature the other about the joy of nature.  It seems entirely apt that these two contrasting books were launched in the…

Last week Nepal suffered a second earthquake in as many weeks. Here, I welcome back Conor Jameson to offer his personal reflections on the impact of this disaster and what we can do to help.

Like everyone else I have watched with horror and dread as news and images from Nepal   have reached us in the last few weeks. First one, then a second, major earthquake have devastated the country, killing thousands and injuring many…

The news of three hen harriers vanishing in as many weeks has rightly received a lot of media interest and concern (for example see here and here). History* tells us that the most likely reason is illegal persecution but, unfortunately, not everyone seems as intent on helping us and the police find out what happened.

Hay fever, summer colds, England’s search for an opening batsman to partner Alastair Cook. Some things…

During the election campaign a friend of mine, who is a vicar, gave a sermon where he argued that voters should, amongst other things, look to those prepared to give up power. He said,

“Whenever any group tries to claim too much of it for themselves and allows themselves to think it belongs to them, trouble follows... We should therefore look for policies and parties that are ready to give away power rather than…

Last Friday, about an hour after Mr Cameron had visited the Queen to ask her to form a new Government, the Environment Agency announced that it had refused two water abstraction licence renewal applications that were threatening rare wildlife found on Sutton and Catfield Fens.

This was extremely good news and shows that the system to protect our finest wildlife sites is working!

As I have written previously (see…

Please take ten minutes to read this blog, watch a film and, in a few clicks, take action for nature.

Today, we launch our campaign to defend the EU Nature Directives.

As I have written recently (see here and here), the Directives have, for over 30 years underpinned nature conservation in the UK and across Europe.  They've helped save sites, recovered species and allowed us find ways to develop sustainably by guiding…

On Saturday afternoon, I stood on a shingle beach with waves crashing against the shore. I always feel invigorated by the power of the sea and this was a great way to clear the head following the surprising election result 24 hours earlier.

Behind me was c200 hecatares of new wetland habitats which now provide homes to birds such as little tern, grey plover, avocet and even a spoonbill. With colleagues from the RSPB…

Guest blog by RSPB Chief Executive, Mike Clarke

In an age of austerity, this is what we have been told by politicians, their pollsters and editors in the media. But I just don't buy it.

Over the last few years, the RSPB has devoted a lot of time and effort to listening to people - people who quite clearly see nature as part of their lives.

And, from their lifestyle choices, TV viewing and leisure activities, what…

After last night's drama, the focus for the nature conservation community now turns to the detail of the Conservative Party manifesto.

It's worth re-reading as it obviously now represents the agenda for the new Government.

Perhaps the stand out commitment is the 25 year plan to recover nature for which the Natural Capital Committee will play a leading role.

I presume that the first five years of activity will…

...our National Bird because David Lindo's poll closes tonight.  If you are still unsure which species to vote for, please do read again the excellent posts from each of the species champions.  In particular, please do read Chris Packham's rationale for why the Hen Harrier deserves your vote (here) and then read my post from yesterday (here). 

...your favourite wildflower in Plantlife's poll.  I know, they are…

I’m afraid to be the bearer of extremely bad news regarding one of our rarest birds of prey.  I’ve just received confirmation that three male hen harriers have disappeared from active nests in the Forest of Bowland.

The disappearances have happened over the last three weeks. At one nest the male disappeared three weeks ago, with males at two other active nests not being seen since last Thursday.  Fortunately…

With just a couple of days to go before the poll closes on David Lindo's Vote National Bird Campaign, here is the eighth nominee, here championed by my colleague Laura Ward.  If you would like to champion either of the final two candidates - mute swan and barn owl - let me know!

Who needs a TV when you’ve got blue tits? 

From hearing the tell tale “peep peep peep” from the nestbox that signals the arrival…

I have just spent a delightful weekend with the family  exploring the Stour Estuary.   It reminded me just how great Essex is for wildlife.  

And it's set to get even better.  

Last autumn (see here), I visited our Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project. This is an enormous (6.7 km²) coastal wetland being created in Essex (south of the Stour) by the RSPB and its partners Crossrail, Defra and the Environment Agency. It’s…

Last September (when the General Election seemed but a distant dream or was it a nightmare, it's easy to forget) I reported (here) on the decision by the new President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to consider a ‘merger’ of the EU Birds and Habitats & Species Directives (aka Nature Directives).  Given the anti-regulatory context within which this announcement was made, our concern was…

Attention now turns to the kingfisher, the seventh candidate in the Vote National Bird Campaign, here championed by Rob Yorke, hunter naturalist and rural commentator who goes by the name @blackgull on twitter.

'As kingfishers catch fire'

As a keen angler, Britain’s waterways have always been fond haunts of mine - from sluggish ditches to thundering rivers – and any view of this magnificent little bird will…

The sixth candidate in the Vote National Bird Campaign is the Blackbird.  Below, Nature's Home editor, Mark Ward, tells you why you should vote for the bird with the perhaps the most mellifluous song. 

I had the most marvellous start to the day today. I pulled back the kitchen curtains and the first things I saw were four blackbirds bouncing across the lawn.

A glossy male made its move, a hop to the left and a tilt…