Advertise on podcast: Nature News from RSPB Scotland

It's that time of year again! Big Garden Birdwatch is here. Stephen and Dan Snowdon from RSPB Scotland's Lochwinnoch nature reserve explain how to take part. There are also tips on how to work out what you're seeing out there. Stephen also travels to Dundee to meet staff and volunteers involved in inspirational work building connections with nature for people living in the city. More about Big Garden Birdwatch here https://t.co/tC0YFBrsRr Find out more about our work in Dundee Winter Wildlife in Dundee - Scottish Nature Notes - Our work - The RSPB Community

It's an important time for Scotland's birds of prey as the Scottish Government introduces legislation to license grouse moors in a bid to end raptor persecution. Raptor persecution - the illegal killing of birds of prey - continues in Scotland and around the UK. In this podcast Stephen meets those working to end this criminality. He hears from RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations Ian Thomson, Ruth Tingay from the influential Raptor Persecution UK blog and campaigner Chris Packham. And there's the very latest on what's happening in the Scottish Parliament. And you can help too by putting pressure on your MSPs to follow through on delivering the legislation. LINKS Get in touch with your MSP https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/scotland/posts/act-now-to-protect-birds-of-prey-and-peatlands Report an incident https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/how-to-report-crimes-against-wild-birds

As the days shorten wintering ducks, geese and swans are making their way back to Scotland. Stephen is at RSPB Scotland's Loch Leven nature reserve to see some of the birds that make this time of year so special. He's joined by Site Manager Vicky Turnbull and Assistant Warden Darran Dixon to chat about Pintail, Smew and Wigeon. Stephen also travels to the Slammanan Plateau in search of the UK's rarest goose. Conservation officer Scott Shanks and volunteers Angus Maciver and Billy Thomson help him to find Taiga Bean Geese in fields near Cumbernauld. LINKS More about our work on Corncrakes Cattle on Lewis https://youtu.be/87RIV7Q4qO8 RSPB Scotland Oronsay nature reserve https://youtu.be/sMDBUpeVV6E Let the Scottish Government know you want better legislation to protect and renew nature https://t.co/DjDHX7Zz1V See the volunteers at Kinnordy in action https://youtu.be/ulMPni4aiZA

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 t**s 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