Nature News from RSPB Scotland

In this special edition of the podcast Stephen is in Orkney to hear about work to protect its special, native wildlife.

Orkney  has its own native Vole species and also hosts globally important populations of seabirds, waders and other species. But that wildlife is under threat from an invasive predator, the Stoat. 

RSPB Scotland is part of a groundbreaking project that has set out to eradicate Stoats and protect native wildlife. Stephen hears from those involved in trapping, monitoring and biosecurity as part of this enormous undertaking.

The Orkney Native Wildlife Project is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council with generous support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and EU LIFE (LIFE17 UK/NAT/000557) as well as in kind and financial contributions from partners. The mop-up methodology trial was supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.

This episode is a deep dive into the crisis facing seabirds around Scotland's coasts. Stephen is joined at the seaside by Head of Species Paul Walton and Head of Marine Policy Helen McLachlan. They explain why Scotland is so important globally for seabirds and the threats they face.

Stephen also travels to RSPB Scotland nature reserves in Orkney, Fowlsheugh and Troup Head to hear what the impact of bird flu has been on birds like Gannets and Kittiwakes.

There's lots you can do to help and to find out more about what's happening to seabirds

Let the Scottish Government know what you think about closing the Sandeel fishery
https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/rspb-news-stories/hope-for-struggling-seabirds/

More about seabirds
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/natures-home-magazine/birds-and-wildlife-articles/features/enjoy-a-seabird-spectacular/

More about the Climate Crisis and what you can do
https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning/climate-change-effects-on-nature-and-wildlife/

Earlier this year experts from bird charities across Europe gathered in Scotland to share how they are working to save nature across the continent. Stephen is joined by Isobel Mercer to talk about how working together across national boundaries is more important than ever. We hear from people working all over Europe about the challenges they face. And there's time for some nature news including a close pass by a common sandpiper and a birding first for Isobel.

LINKS
Find out more about Birdlife's work here https://www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/

More on bird flu here https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/disease-and-garden-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates/

Spotted Flycatcher ID https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/spotted-flycatcher/

Stephen and Kate are visiting RSPB Scotland's Loch Leven reserve to find out how to really connect to nature. Freya and Daniel from the visitor experience team at the reserve explain the difference between just spending time in nature and connecting with it. Stephen tags along with a group of blind and visually impaired people who are learning about birdsong. There's nature news and a lot of chat about peewits.

LINKS

The latest on Bird Flu https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/disease-and-garden-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates/

Find out more about Visibility Scotland https://visibilityscotland.org.uk/

Watch Daniel and other staff from RSPB Scotland Loch Leven connect to nature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PvzmKm59bA

Stephen and Kate are looking back at the amazing wildlife featured in the Wild Isles series. They are also looking forward to the plans being made to protect and renew it. James How from RSPB Scotland's Loch Gruinart nature reserve on Islay gives us the inside story of how the Wild Isles team filmed White Tailed Eagles hunting Barnacle Geese. Stephen chats to one of the people who has taking part in putting together the People's Plan For Nature. And there's all the usual nature news.

LINKS

Search for Saving Our Wild Isles on the BBC iplayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Learn more about the People's Plan For Nature https://peoplesplanfornature.org/
Read more about the gamekeeper case we discuss here https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/gamekeeper-pleads-guilty-to-shooting-sparrowhawk-on-scottish-grouse-moor/

Scotland's rainforest is an amazing place but it's under threat. Stephen and Kate take a trip to see the habitat for themselves at RSPB Scotland's Inversnaid nature reserve. Stephen has been to the Morvern peninsula on Scotland's west coast to hear about an exciting new RSPB Scotland project working with communities to protect, restore and expand the forest there. Kate is feeling hopeful about spring and Stephen is learning to love lichens.

LINKS

Save Our Wild Isles
https://www.saveourwildisles.org.uk/

Alliance for Scotland's Rainforest
https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk/

Stephen and Kate are joined by Conservation Officer Scott Shanks  for a wander in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park. They're on the lookout for early signs of Spring and bumblebees in particular. Stephen has also been testing out his birdsong knowledge. And Kate is feeling the weight of winter lift from her shoulders.

LINKS

Beavers
Learn more about the reintroduction of beavers on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooCQniFUAd4

Follow their progress on the Loch Lomond nature reserve social feeds https://twitter.com/RSPBLochLomond

Wild Isles
Watch the trail here https://mobile.twitter.com/bbcpress/status/1628437839527411713

Birdsong
The app Kate used https://birdnet.cornell.edu/
More on birdsong here https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-songs/

Stephen and Kate are joined by Katie O’Neill and David Hunt for a Big Garden Birdwatch. Join them in Kate’s “garden room” for some tips on how to take part in this important bit of citizen science. There’s also all the latest nature news and a very odd folk tale about goldcrests.

LINKS

Species Campaign

https://action.rspb.org.uk/page/117828/action/1

Mull Eagle Blog

https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/flying-home-for-christmas/

 Big Garden Birdwatch

https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/?from=hphero

 How to Clean Feeders

https://youtu.be/qA8Kj0zu2YQ

Stephen and Kate are joined for a snowy wander by Scotland Director Anne McCall and Head of Species and Habitats Paul Walton. They pick out their highlights of the past year and look ahead to 2023. There's also an unexpected link between long tailed tits and the Waltons.

LINKS

Report on the state of Scotland's protected areas

https://www.scotlink.org/two-thirds-of-scots-support-ambitious-30-by-30-target-to-protect-nature/

 A chance to see our new Glencripesdale nature reserve for yourself

https://youtu.be/w3T8QUwAziw

 Advice on feeding birds

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/

How to clean feeders

https://youtu.be/qA8Kj0zu2YQ

Stephen and Kate take a trip to RSPB Scotland's Lochwinnoch nature reserve. They're joined by Senior Conservation Officer Toby Wilson who has some tips for things to keep an eye out for as we head into winter. Warden Dan Snowdon shows off his new scrapes which are proving to be a home for all kinds of wildlife. The team also has all the latest nature news.

LINKS

If you want to see the scrapes at Lochwinnoch watch this video https://youtu.be/rChb6zIsFz8 This project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot. It’s also part of the wider Garnock Connections project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Find out more about the Birdcrime report here https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/BirdCrimeReportLaunched/

Info on the Nature of Scotland Awards https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/at-home-and-abroad/scotland/nature-of-scotland-awards/