For those in the depths of winter, a reminder that nature changes fast! Snowdrops and song thrushes will soon be with us, and in some cases already are. Tell us if you've spotted snowdrops, hazel catkins or song thrushes. Please add to our Nature’s Calendar project👉 bit.ly/3MF4ZHw #NaturesCalendar

Barn owls are one of the many species of birds that mate for life.🥰 In fact 90% of birds are faithful to one partner.😇 But only 5% of mammals! 🫨 #Traitors #Faithful #barnowl #owl 📸 Pic by Laurie Campbell/WTML

Only 9 days left to apply for the Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme! 🌏 🌲 3-month paid placement ✅ £3,000 bursary 🤝 Build skills & connections as a future forestry leader ⌛ Deadline: 16 Jan 2026, 23:59 More info & apply at charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/y...

When you fancy a bath but the boiler is on the blink. 😁 Great shot of a goldfinch at the ice-covered Water of Leith by George Kelsey.

Have you seen a #waxwing this winter? These Scandinavians migrate here to feast on berries. If it's a hard winter in Scandinavia they come in huge numbers called an irruption. This isn't one of those years but there are a few around. 📸 This one photographed in Edinburgh by Rosanna Forbes.👏

Great series of webinars and in person events for farmers.

We would very much like the next Scottish Government to commit to facilitating the return of our native Eurasian Lynx to Scotland. Would you? Don't miss this important opportunity to have your say 👇. Choose from 42 public events across the Highlands and Moray before end Feb. #LynxtoScotland

When you fall down and then pretend you meant to all along.😀

Birnam Oak – Dunkeld, Perthshire. This oak & its neighbour a sycamore, are thought to be the sole survivors of an ancient forest that once straddled the banks and hillsides of the River Tay, celebrated in Shakespeare's Macbeth as the famous Birnam Wood. 1/2...

Great article. "The place where all these issues arguably come into starkest contrast is in Scotland, which is also home to Britain's largest deer-stalking estates and rewilding projects." 👉 buff.ly/T0fa9hG #MairTreesPlease

Taking your Christmas tree down?🎄 There are many ways to recycle a tree...from creating wood chip mulch and wildlife shelters to replanting (if it has roots & you have garden!) ♻️ Check out our tips for responsible disposal 👉 buff.ly/MaPkdnU ⚠️ Oh, and please don't leave your tree in the woods 🙏.

Afore you head back to work...squeeze in one more quiz! 💯 Twigs, buds and silhouettes are a fantastic way to tell trees apart in wintertime. Think you can tell your #Elder from your #Alder? Let's find out 👇

✂️ Been putting off that winter pruning job? 🍎 Well now is the time - new year, new energy! Apple trees can stay productive for 50 plus years, but they need proper care and pruning. 🤔 Not sure where to start? Here's a handy blog with plenty of juicy details. 😂 👇

Happy New Year 🙂 Always a good time for reflection. 📸 Loch Arkaig by John MacPherson.

Massive #THANKS to all who have supported the work of the #Woodland rust in Scotland & beyond in 2025. The last 12 months generated lots of highlights, so refining them to only 5 for this post has been a real challenge. In the end the social team made the final call. Apologies if you don't agree!

Turns out a whopping 3️⃣0️⃣ 0️⃣ schools in Scotland reached the Bronze level of our Green Trees #Schools Award in 2025 🏆 We reckon that's worth celebrating 💚 Want in on the action? Join 16,000 schools and make 2026 your year of action for the environment 👉 buff.ly/G1bL9P9 #OutdoorEducation

"What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?” Amid the festive chaos, why take a moment to pause & admire nature's beauty. This old sycamore certainly inspired us to have a seat and gaze awhile. What natural wonders inspire you? #ThickTrunkTuesday #NatureInspiration

✅ Answers to the #ConiferCone ID: 1. Scots pine 2. Sitka spruce 3. Douglas fir 4. Larch 🌲 Let us know how you did in the comments 👇

🫣 Lost track of the days? Same, same. But here’s the real question: can you tell your cones apart? 🌲 Have a go at identifying these #ConiferCones. Look out for the answers at 5pm this evening! Then let us know your score so we can see if you're a connoisseur of cones or needle some pointers 😆 👇

🍂 Are you the organiser of your family / friends? Then it's time to plan your #NewYearsDayWalk. 📍Tell us your postcode and a map of all your local woods will appear 👉 buff.ly/CaMFYLC Select a site, don yer boots, get out and enjoy. The perfect way to start the year 💚 #GetOut #WoodlandWalk

🐝 What happens to wasps in winter? 🦵 Why do some birds stand on one leg? ❄️ With shorter days and colder temperatures, winter can result in some intriguing animal behaviour. But can you tell fact from fiction? Take our quiz to test your winter-y wildlife knowledge 👉

🕊️ The delicate blooms of the snowdrop bring joy to the winter months and are a sure sign of warmer weather on the way. 🌱 Jan-March is prime time but warmer winters can push this into Dec. 👀 Learn more about snowdrop flowering and how tracking your sightings can help us. 👉

The cutest little snowmen! ⛄❄️ A few photos courtesy of Ranger Chris from a recent carving session in #Assynt. Top marks to these festive crafters 👏.

❄️ Refreshing air, peace & quiet plus long golden hours - just a few things we love about #WinterWalks. 💚 What's your favourite thing? Let us know below. Or be inspired by the walking stories of our pals at @walkingscotland.bsky.social 👉 buff.ly/44e9O9K

🎄Merry Christmas!🎅 📸 Kingfisher photos by George Kelsey👏

Merry Christmas!🎄 Here's some pics to make you smile. The legendary volunteers of #Kinclaven Wood carrying out some maintenance and enjoying some mince pies and mulled wine 🥧 Happy trees, good food & even better company (wait, is that Santa?!)🎅

If it wisnae fur yer wellies...where would ye be? Lets hope the wearer of these beauties, our #UigWood contractor Magnus, is most definitely not 'in the hospital or infirmary!' 🤣 Magnus winched an infected ash tree out of a river in Skye, preventing it from blocking a weir in #UigWood. 1/2

We want to see a new criminal offence for harming heritage trees. The next Scottish Parliament should introduce a Tree Protection (Scotland) Bill including the creation of a new legal status for ancient & veteran trees, with new criminal offences for harming or destroying them. 🧵 1/3

The Gowk Tree, Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway. The Rev John Walker (1762-1783) planted an umbrella fir near an oak which was a favourite ‘calling post’ for cuckoos. He remarked to the oak, that it would still be standing after the fir was long gone. 200 years later the oak remains! #ThickTrunkTuesday

We are celebrating National Robin Day with four lovely photos by Rosanna Forbes.📸 British robins have been observed to be friendlier with humans than those on the continent. 🧵 1/4

It is Winter Solstice. This ancient oak near St John's Town of Dalry lost its main trunk many years ago, but has kept on growing.🙂 🌳To whoever needs to hear, remember this tree and that lighter days are ahead. 📸 Photo by Rosanna Forbes.👏 #solstice #ancientoak #WinterSolstice

Think you know how nature has inspired Christmas traditions? 👑 Let’s find out! Test your knowledge with this festive quiz.🎄🔔 From songs and literature to decorations and foods, there's lots of trivia to chew over (or pinch for your own family festive quiz!) 👇

Essential tree safety work on veteran oak & elms on a steep slope above the A85 nr Oban - no easy task! It did allow us to remove non-native regen; this will help retain deep crowns & prevent shading of the lichen-rich communities #ScotlandsRainforest is known for. 👏 to our hardworking contractors!

It's important to always look your best when you are a festive icon.🎄 😆 This wee robin is scrubbing up well in the Water of Leith.💦 Hope you are getting your glad rags on this weekend too!😊 📸 Another great shot by George Kelsey whose pics we are very grateful to share.👏

❄️ Refreshing air, peace and quiet, and long golden hours are just a few things we love about winter walks. 💚 What's your favourite thing about winter woodland walks? Let us know below 👇 #WinterWalks #LetItSnow #WinterWoodlandWalks

This week we launched “Mair Trees Please” at the Scottish Parliament - a 14-page document setting out our priorities for the next Scottish Government. We hope our asks will be adopted into in party manifestos in the run up to the May 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. Read 👉 buff.ly/rEBjbqO

One of the team was out at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park this week scoping out opportunities for riparian woodland creation. A bit of mist sure makes the winter landscape pop! 🧵 1/2

❄️ Where and when will you walk this winter? 🏔️ With so much choice, we thought we'd share a few of our favourite woodland wandering spots - pinewood, waterside, sunset and rainforest. 👇 👣 Find a wood near you 👉 buff.ly/ikLjcWL #WoodlandWalks #WinterWalks #WonderfulWoodland

This Atlantic hazelwood on the western edge of the island of Eigg is one of the rarest and most precious in #ScotlandsRainforest. These woods are often unrecorded so our team has been making site visits to rectify that this year. @asrainforest.bsky.social

We put the drone up at Loch Arkaig PIne Forest during a temperature inversion. There is a loch underneath there somewhere! #LochArkaig

Why do we need targets for nature recovery? 🎯🌱 climate goals, legally binding nature targets are crucial for Scotland to drive real investment & strategic restoration. Past efforts fell short without them. It's time for decisive leadership! Read more: www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/we-need-natu...

Scotland is spending millions dealing with Rhododendron ponticum, an invasive non-native plant that spreads fast and overwhelms precious habitats including Scotland's rainforest. So we think it is nuts that it can still be bought and planted. The next Scottish Government should ban its sale. 🧵 1/2

We love this beautiful documentary about life in #Assynt by @danlior.bsky.social 👉 buff.ly/38acb2L Earlier this year we announced our partnership to revitalise the area with the Assynt Foundation and Aviva. More on that here 👉 buff.ly/qQOMCK2

Once a proper thick trunk, now a living veteran tree with lots of standing deadwood (the rarest kind because of our human tendency to 'keep things tidy'.) Its form may have faded but this sycamore at Cammo Estate, Edinburgh, provides an incredibly valuable habitat for wildlife. #ThickTrunkTuesday

Prickly #holly is a fertility symbol, a charm against witches & great addition to your festive decor! Look for its glossy, spiny leaves & bright red berries in woods, scrub, & hedgerows. Or, buy a sapling from our tree shop & grow your own home decor in 26 (tis a lovely gift too)! ➡️ buff.ly/3Zw4It3

Urban trees play a vital part in combating pollution by cleaning the air around them and capturing carbon. Without trees, we would be breathing unhealthy air and releasing significantly more CO2 into the atmosphere. Will you help in the fight for clean air across the UK?

DYK...nearly a quarter of professional sports teams across the globe use a wild animal in their name, logo or identity? Not in Scotland though. According to the map we're not wealthy or professional enough to rank! What about teams featuring trees? There must be loads! ▶️ buff.ly/R7sLa1Q

Great to see @scottishwater.bsky.social trialling tree seeding by drone in difficult to access areas at #Talla. We've used a similar strategy to at #LochArkaig and at a #WoodlandTrust site in the hills around Bodmin too. Look forward to seeing the results 👉

🎄Chosen your Xmas tree yet? Here's a guide to the most popular picks 👇. Our fave is a Nordmann: excellent needle retention & soft to touch. Pines & spruces available too. What's your favourite & why? For sustainability, please consider a potted tree you can plant out & bring in again next year.💚

These lovely shots of a crested tit were hard-won! 📸 Photographer George Kelsey stood for three hours in the rain at an Inverness-shire wood.🌧️ Totally worth it we reckon! 😀 Around Inverness, Strathspey and the Moray Firth are the only places you are likely to see these cuties in the UK. 🧵 1/2