It's here, Big Garden Birdwatch has finally arrived. We're off to a great start, with Woodpigeon, Robin, two Great Tits on the feeder and a Blackbird rummaging for berries. Let us know in the comments what you're seeing and share your photos with us too we'd love to see them.

Register now for the Big Garden Birdwatch 23-26 January to take part in the world's largest garden wildlife survey Who will be this year's garden faithfuls and traitors? One hour to sit, chill & watch the birds, recording the highest number of each species seen at any one time Link in the comments

Last night, Peers voted against Swift bricks: rejecting a simple, proven way to help one of our fastest declining birds recover. ❌ We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration. The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.

This was the last chance to secure Swift bricks in the Planning Bill itself. We’ll keep pushing for other ways to make it happen. Nature shouldn’t be optional in the places we live. 🍃

Baroness Freeman withdrew am. 246 on bird-safe glass after the Government said it would look at possible targeted measures for commercial buildings. We'll support her in holding them to this at the Third Reading...and keep fighting for a system that builds nature in, not out.❗️

The Planning Bill is back in the Lords today - and it still falls short of the win-win for nature the Government says it wants. We’re grateful to the Peers that have stepped up with vital fixes. But today’s votes help decide whether this Bill truly delivers for nature & people. 👇

We urge all Peers to back: 148: To avoid environmental damage first & foremost 114: To add a duty to consider climate & nature in decisions 130: To limit EDPs to where they're effective 140, 245 & 246: To embed Swift bricks, bird-safe glass & hedgehog highways into new homes

The Government says this Bill is about growth, but there’s no long-term growth if nature is weakened. ‼️ Peers can change that today by backing science and backing nature. This matters for everyone who cares about the future. We’ll be watching... & our assessment will follow.

Today, the Planning Bill returns to the Lords. And the future of nature in England’s planning system is on the line. 🌳⚠️ Peers must back the amendments* that protect wildlife, ensure accountability, and build nature back into our homes & communities. *130, 140 & 245, 114, 148

Latest government stats show a continued decline in many bird species across the UK 🪶🧪 www.gov.uk/government/s... These data are made possible by the dedication of expert volunteers, allowing us to track common bird populations for >50 years

Peatlands are vital ecosystems and are home to diverse wildlife, they also play a crucial role in our efforts to tackle climate change. We hope this is a move towards ending peatland burning for good

Thanks to brilliant conservation efforts with our partners it has been a record year for Hen Harriers in the Forest of Bowland, with one of the highest number of fledglings recorded in over 40 years! Read all about it here: www.rspb.org.uk/england/engl...

We are taking steps to help our wetlands become more resilient and adaptable to climate change. This will enable them to continue to support a wide range of species throughout changing weather systems. Find out more youtu.be/m6KGt7uOMqY?... @btobirds.bsky.social @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social

Today’s report shows the UK Government has taken some steps to help restore nature over the past year - with over 10 million trees planted and new National Nature Reserves declared. But it’s not enough. Progress remains too slow, as nature is continuing to decline.

RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserves featured in lovely new film about importance of protected sites ... Thank you Natural England, NERC and University of Exeter www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

After decades of campaigning, restrictions on toxic lead ammunition are finally on the way. 👏 A long-overdue move that will save tens of thousands of birds & countless other wildlife from lead poisoning. Thank you to all who campaigned with us & to UK Gov for taking this step.

Help us build a UK-wide picture of where Swifts are nesting, so that we can better target our conservation efforts, by logging your Swift nest sightings on Swift Mapper 👉brnw.ch/21wTMyw Full guidance on what to look for and how you can help👉 brnw.ch/21wTMyv

It's Swift Awareness Week so we're celebrating the community projects currently underway across the country and highlighting things we can all to do to help 'Save our Swifts'. Find out more and check out the Swift awareness events near you: brnw.ch/21wTKox

RETURN From extinction to reintroduction, our new film charts the 50-year fight to return White-tailed Eagles to our skies. Coming Summer 2025. www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_A7...

Are you aged 16-24 and passionate about protecting nature, or know someone who is? We’re looking for new RSPB Youth Council members! Find out more and apply by 27th June: www.rspb.org.uk/about-us/how...

Congrats to everyone who's secured a place for the 2026 #LondonMarathon 🥳 And if you're not one of the lucky ones, don't fret, you can still apply for a place to run for the RSPB! More details 👇 www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...

Rooted in the Environment Act 2021, Protected Site Strategies offer a new statutory means to tackle the issues affecting some of our most important places for nature, by looking beyond the boundaries of protected sites to create a strategic landscape-scale plan for recovery.

The Chancellor spoke of ‘fixing the foundations.’ But no foundation is more vital – or more at risk – than nature. It underpins our health, our economy, and our food security. The government must continue to invest in its recovery: because there is no future without it. 🍃

For months, alongside farmers, supporters, and nature groups, we’ve made the case for protecting nature-friendly farming. Today, we’re pleased to see HM Treasury has listened: the nature-friendly farming budget has been maintained. This is a crucial step, but nature needs more...

RSPB England reaction to the Sizewell C funding announcement.

Bottom trawling tears up fragile seabed habitats & harms the life that depends on them. Today’s UK Government decision to ban it in 40+ Marine Protected Areas offers hope: a chance to let our seas recover & life return. 🌊 Let's see Marine Protected Areas live up to their name.

📢 We need your help to monitor Nightjar for the Heathland Birds Survey! Find a priority site near you ➡️ www.bto.org/heathlan... #Ornithology #UKBirding A huge thank you to all volunteers participating in this project! 📷 Nightjar by Mike Toms

It's a mixed picture across the UK as to how a range of birds are faring. Read more in this summary by our senior conservation scientist bit.ly/4mEZRjU @btobirds.bsky.social @bbs-birds.bsky.social @webs-gsmp.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social 📸RSPB-images

RSPB Bempton Cliffs has become England’s first ‘Shorewatch’ site with Volunteers are scanning the sea for dolphins, porpoises,seals and whales and collecting data to help protect our marine life. Who doesn’t love a dolphin? @whalesorg.bsky.social 📹 Steve Race

The National Fire Chiefs Council has reported over 200 more wildfires this year than for the same period in 2022 - the worst year on record for wildfires, and more hot spells are predicted. Most wildfires are preventable, help us to keep people, nature and wildlife safe.

We’re not alone. We & the @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social are united in calling for Part 3 to be scrapped. Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, Steve Reed, Angela Rayner, @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social The choice is yours. And it will be remembered by the millions of us who care about the natural world.

Labour promised to restore nature. ❌ Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it. We offered solutions. We’re done waiting. Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species. Without significant change, it must be scrapped.

The latest @webs-gsmp.bsky.social report is out now! Take a look at how waterbirds are faring in this thread ⬇️ or visit our website: www.bto.org/webs-annual-report 🌍 🌐

Two Hen Harriers disappear at RSPB Geltsdale in the last week. The shocking loss of the Red-listed birds points to yet more illegal killing. Read more here 👇 www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

We’ve just delivered a message to Downing Street, backed by over 100,000 of you.‼️ Farmers, NGOs and the public are standing together to demand action. UK Government, this is a call you can't afford to ignore. Any cut now would be a disaster for farming and nature.

As part of @wclnews.bsky.social, we’re warning MPs about the loss of nature already being seen in their area 📢 The #PlanningBill as it stands is an application to demolish wildlife even further 🚨 We cannot accept this - it simply must be amended. Take action today 👇 rspb.org.uk/planning

Run the #LondonMarathon in 2026! Over 1 million people applied to take on the challenge earlier this month, but there’s still time to be part of the RSPB flock! Find out more and apply for a place at the link below 👇

The latest Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report shows positive news for a range of birds including Firecrest & Marsh Harrier The Report also reveals worrying declines in England for some woodland & garden species such as Chaffinch and Bullfinch 🔵Read the full report here www.bto.org/our-science/...

What links sniffer dogs, chocolate wax, boat rope guards and seabirds? Tessa Coledale explains all this Invasive Species Week… community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/ac... #INNSweek

Thread/ As a community of nature lovers, we've fought long and hard for the current environmental protections that protect the UK's amazing wildlife 🦋 Yet right now, at this critical moment, Government's #PlanningBill risks tearing them up, accelerating the disastrous decline of our nature world

Thread/ Despite @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social extraordinary determination, lack of Govt action on Swift bricks is yet more evidence of a serious lack of vision in the #PlanningBill www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Thread/Yesterday’s Impact Assessment Report lays bare the indefensible logic pushing Government’s #PlanningBill forward: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The RSPB and Nature Friendly Farming Network are calling on Defra to make access to higher tier schemes easier. Read more here about three ambitious farmers doing great work for nature through the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme. www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

Thread/ More stark warnings about the #PlanningBill today, with OEP branding it a ‘regression’ in environmental law When will Government take heed and support the amendments needed to deliver for nature, people & a resilient economy? www.theoep.org.uk/report/oep-g...

Last year the EU challenged the UK's closure of industrial sandeel fishing in its waters. These closures are a lifeline for the millions of seabirds which rely on sandeels for food. Reversing them would be a blow for hungry Puffins, Kittiwakes, and other birds.

Today we can announce a panel of judges has found: - The ecological case against industrial sandeel fishing is sound - The UK has the right to stop this damaging fishing in its waters This means sandeels can be safeguarded for the seabirds that need them.

We now expect the UK and EU to move forward and make the sandeel fishing closures here permanent. A massive thanks goes out to our members, supporters, and campaigners who helped us get to this point. We couldn't have done it without you.

#NoMowMay has begun! 🌼 The rare chance to help nature by doing nothing.

Our friends at @btobirds.bsky.social need your help to survey Heathland birds, this will indicate how these birds are faring and where habitat protection might be needed to safeguard potential future expansion in range and population. Sign up below 👇

And just in...Blue-headed Wagtails have been arriving in good numbers this week! These striking central European visitors are a subspecies of Yellow Wagtail - bringing an extra splash of colour to our countryside. Keep your eyes peeled for that gorgeous blue-grey head. 📷 @wawlee.bsky.social