In one month's time tens of thousands of birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts will be flocking to Birdfair, the largest gathering of nature and bird enthusiasts in the world. It is also a meeting place for many wildlife focussed NGOs and all of the outdoor and nature associated industries – from optics and cameras, to wildlife artists, tour companies and clothing. This is truly the place to be in mid August!…

RSPB Scotland has always believed that, because nature transcends national boundaries, it needs cross-border co-operation to protect it and a common set of international standards that enable it to thrive. Regardless of the future governance options or constitutional debates that may arise in Scotland following the EU referendum, RSPB Scotland will continue to campaign for the best standards of environmental legislation…

Wildlife across Scotland continues to change, with serious long term declines now evident. So how do we have a greater positive impact on the fortunes of our species at a time when less government support is available? Protected areas for example have been essential to target corncrake recovery and blanket bog restoration in Scotland, but they’re not enough on their own to prevent wildlife declines. What’s more, other…

The election results are in and the new MSPs are gathering in Holyrood. How did nature and the environment do? They didn’t grab the headlines, but in numerous hustings across Scotland organised by RSPB Scotland, Environment Link and our partners, candidates were put through their paces. The Hustings were well attended, and unfailingly polite and respectful. But passions did shine through on occasion.

One of nature…

I had the pleasure of visiting our Mersehead nature reserve last week, where spring is in the air and we were lucky enough to spot the first handful of migrant birds that have made it back to our shores for the summer, including swallows and chiffchaff. Combined with the fresh burst of green on the trees, the displaying lapwings and buzz of pollinators in the air the day left me with a zeal for the summer ahead, but…

There has been some recent speculation in the media about the future of the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project (LMDP), and the results achieved to date. There is no doubt that restoring a large, relatively isolated ‘island’ moor has been a challenge, but to dismiss what has been achieved as a ‘failure’, as has occurred in some quarters, is wide of the mark,

Accordingly, I offered the Directors…

Egret feathers in a hat (photo credit: RSPB, rspb-images.com)

Over 120 years ago, our organisation came into existence when sixteen feisty Victorian ladies campaigned against the killing of exotic birds to trim fashionable hats. Their dedication and hard campaigning eventually resulted in the passing of the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Bill in Parliament, and we haven’t stopped since as the charity went on…

Seabirds are amazingly adapted to some of the harshest environments on earth, facing gales, huge seas and freezing temperatures. Some migrate vast distances, following currents and shoals of fish, or even plankton blooms. They fascinate us, and the more we discover the more we are intrigued by their strategies to survive and prosper. But one thing they cannot escape is our exploitation of the seas, and our thirst for…

Renewable energy remains well supported in Scotland, with 70% of people wanting to see more renewables such as wind, solar and wave according to a poll published last week.

At RSPB Scotland, we certainly share this view; we need more well-sited renewable energy to protect people and nature alike from the uncertainty and impacts caused by climate change. With worrying statistics like an 87 per cent decline in kittiwakes…

The power of volunteering

Volunteers fencing at Insh Marshes (Andy Hay, rspb-images.com)

Volunteers are a crucial part of RSPB Scotland, allowing us to deliver our day to day conservation helping to protect our country’s wonderful wildlife and habitats. But more than that, charities like the RSPB were founded by volunteers, and throughout our long history the role of volunteers, from every walk of life, age and background…

This winter has provided us with stark reminders of how important our relationship with the natural world is, not least the impact of floods affecting thousands across Scotland. Thankfully, we can do a lot to increase our ‘resilience’ to these events, by working with nature and harnessing what it can do for the rest of us.

Planting native trees upstream of towns to slow the runoff of water, creating coastal…

Farming is, and always has been, a regular theme in my working life. Whether I’m meeting those who lead Scotland’s National Farmers Union or challenging politicians and senior civil servants on the decisions they make on agriculture policy, wildlife friendly farming is at the heart of those conversations. And I proudly admit, I like being out on a farm with practical land managers who share my enthusiasm for wildlife…

Marine Spatial Planning in Scotland – a stock take

In recent years Scottish Government has progressed leaps and bounds towards meeting their vision for Scotland’s seas that are ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive, biologically diverse marine and coastal environments, managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people.’ Our first National Marine Plan and the designation of 33 new Marine Protected…

Ask Rory to #DefendNature and keep the path to conservation clear

When you can’t see clearly where you are going everything gets much slower and more difficult. The recent stormy weather is a reminder of this in action - whilst driving to work last week the rain was so heavy that it was difficult to make out the car just a few metres ahead of me and this brought to mind what the situation would be like if the EU Nature…

When I join the thousands of people on the Meadows in Edinburgh this Saturday, we will all be marching to press the case for firm global action on the climate of our shared world. I hope to be joined by my daughter and her one month old son, my grandson. It‘s for his future we will be banding together. But I want him to grow up in a world that has space for wildlife too.

In Scotland we are lucky that we…

Forsinard – good news for wildlife, carbon and people

Recently I visited RSPB Scotland’s Forsinard Flows Reserve in the far north of Scotland and saw at first hand the difference we’re making for wildlife, local people and our efforts to combat climate change.

As I stood at the top of the fantastic new observation tower and chatted to visitors, I got a real sense of the scale of what is being achieved…

A case of conservation

I enjoy a glass of wine and love the landscapes where wine is produced. But it takes imagination to combine this with raising funds for the migratory birds – ‘our’ birds – that pass through the Iberian Peninsula, en route to their winter quarters in West Africa and beyond.

Inspired by the conservation of our migratory birds Cockburn’s of Leith are donating 20% from cases…

The Power of Partnerships

Peregrine (Ben Hall, rspb-images.com)

It often seems that all we hear about the state of wildlife populations are stories of decline and disappearance. While we know that nature is indeed in trouble and we know there is much to do to stop the loss of biodiversity across the world, there are projects and people who really do give us cause for hope and reasons to celebrate.

The State of the…

Yesterday evening, I was pleased to join colleagues from across the conservation movement to launch our Response for Nature: Scotland.  This was one of four reports, launched yesterday, addressing each of the four jurisdictions in the UK.  Each is supported by a diverse range of NGOs, all working with the common purpose of halting the loss of wildlife and protecting the special places on which it depends.

The project…

Standing up for Protected Areas

Male hen harrier (Andy Hay rspb-images.com)

This week Dumfries and Galloway Council planning committee will make an important planning decision.  It will put the spotlight on Scotland’s duties to protect the best places in Europe for wildlife and it will test our decision makers’ commitment to uphold Europe’s extremely popular protected areas legislation.   

On the …

The Islay goose strategy and why we have complained to Europe

Barnacle geese (Andy Hay rspb-images.com)

Of all our extraordinary wildlife, some of our most significant responsibilities in global terms are the populations of Arctic-breeding wild geese which migrate south annually to spend the winter in our country. I’m always moved as the first skeins of geese appear out of the northern skies.

These geese come…

Why farming matters to conservation and RSPB Scotland

Making a living from farming is never straightforward at the best of times but sometimes events conspire to make it particularly challenging. This year’s poor summer weather combined with difficult market conditions (exacerbated by Russia’s President Putin banning much EU produce) coupled with changes afoot in CAP support regimes are taking their toll, with many…

A Plan of Action for Peatlands?

A letter published in the Scotsman this week was a real gem. Roy Turnbull, argued well that Scotland should do more to value its forests, peatlands and upland areas as huge stores of carbon and for their ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and store it in soil and vegetation. He described these areas as Scotland’s Amazon. I agree with his sentiments - especially the need for…

An inspiring time at the British Birdfair 2015

I was down at the British Birdfair for the best part of 2 ½ days, and as ever enjoyed it immensely.  Partly it’s about meeting people, old friends of course, but also making new contacts and getting inspired! Equally it’s about being available to talk to members and supporters, or to listen to those who feel a bit disgruntled. 

And it was great to see the…