Manda

Volunteering We keep you up to date with what is happening in British archaeology, whether you are looking to participate in a dig or volunteer.

Thinking about volunteering in archaeology or heritage?

We’ve just launched our brand new Volunteering page, bringing together placements, digs, and volunteering roles in heritage from across the UK. And the best part? Search by region to find opportunities near you! 👉

It's another scorcher.. 🥵☀️

Be sure to put out plenty of water for birds & wildlife in your garden so they can keep cool and have enough to drink.

Got your patch covered? Share this reminder!

Just a heads up before 10am - we won't be taking any questions on dinosaurs, but we have lots to share about caring for archaeology at our places!

@nationaltrust.org.uk

🎥 Camera trap highlight: a water vole quietly shaping its ecosystem.

Their foraging 🦫 helps promote plant diversity 🌸 & support a rich web of life - from invertebrates 🐜 to apex predators 🦅.

It’s a perfect reminder that the smallest species can drive ecosystem health 🌍.

“RSPB Minsmere is one of the most important places for nature in Europe. Some of the UK’s rarest birds, such as Marsh Harriers and Bitterns, have only avoided extinction in the UK after surviving here. We believe that wildlife at Minsmere, and along the Suffolk coast, could be damaged during the lengthy construction period of Sizewell C and may be in a worse state once development is completed. “Crucially, it never had to be this way, the right package of measures could have been put in place to make sure wildlife did not come off worse. The RSPB, with the help of many thousands of our supporters, did our best through the planning process to make this happen, but our efforts were not fully rewarded. “Decisions have required us to work with mitigation measures to reduce damage and protect wildlife. We continue to do what we think is best, as it matters for generations to come that places like Minsmere exist and thrive. As the UK Government debate England’s future planning system, we and our partners continue to call for better outcomes that do not pitch development against nature in this way”.

RSPB England reaction to the Sizewell C funding announcement.

Irreplaceable habitats are on the line. This is the reality if an unamended Part 3 of the Bill passes.

It must not.

A joyful collage capturing the launch of Swindon’s Swift Street celebration. Top left: two Swifts soar against a clear blue sky. Next: a young child in yellow uses binoculars at a busy community stall under a blue gazebo. A bright green RSPB sign reads “Welcome home Swifts,” with logos for People’s Postcode Lottery and Planet Trust. Centre left: a small black dog wearing cardboard Swift wings looks up as it’s rewarded. Centre right: smiling children and RSPB Ambassador Megan McCubbin cut a red ribbon in front of a banner reading “We are a proud Swift Street.” Bottom row: a child has her face painted in purple butterfly wings; hand-decorated bunting shows colourful drawings of birds, flowers and logos, including one that reads “Swift Event” and another from local Brownies.

A truly joyful homecoming in Swinton this weekend as over 100 new Swift nestboxes were celebrated on one of the UK’s biggest Swift Streets! ☀️

With amazing community spirit and support from
Megan McCubbin & the Postcode Lottery, even a four-legged Swift fan came dressed for the occasion!

YouTube video by Archaeology with Flint Dibble The Archaeology Wars: Call-To-Action to Support Public Education & Science Communication

[NEW VIDEO] Archaeology is under siege from popular anti-intellectual influencers. I document threats and harassment and provide actionable strategies for promoting public educational content

Watch, like, comment, and share to boost visibility 🧪🏺 #AncientBlueSky

youtu.be/F5PvwzgfKKw

A hand holds a large, handcrafted clay vessel with a tapered base. The pot features vertical, combed decoration and a textured surface, with a gradient colour effect from light beige at the top to dark grey at the bottom, resembling ancient pottery styles.

A hand holds a dark, handcrafted clay vessel with a wide opening and a series of vertical slits around the sides. The surface is decorated with intricate, cross-hatched patterns, showing the detailed craftsmanship of the piece.

A hand lifts a small, black, handcrafted clay vessel decorated with beads of clay and chevron patterns.

A hand lifts the lid from a small, black, handcrafted clay vessel decorated with intricate geometric patterns. The surface is adorned with a repeating design of triangles and textured dots, highlighting the detailed craftsmanship of the piece.

🏺 The Creative Force Behind Bronze Age Pottery ✨

In times of change, creativity flourishes. Bronze Age Britain saw a surge of innovation and artistry in pottery—beautiful, practical, and mysterious.

🛒 Explore these timeless creations: potted-history.co.uk

It’s #WorldCurlewDay 💚

So here's 5 things Curlews are better at than you… a thread.

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Eye-opening graph. The biggest wildfire incidents in the UK don't occur when it's hottest, in high summer: they take place in April - *when landowners set fire to their grouse moors & lose control of burns.*

Time to ban moorland burning.

Source:
www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/sites/defaul...

Photographer Fatima Hassona killed ahead of Cannes documentary debut The Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassona, killed along with ten family members in an Israeli air strike on her home in northern Gaza, is the star of a documentary due to be screened at the Cannes film festival next month.

"In an earlier post, she wrote: "As for the inevitable death, if I die, I want a loud death, I don't want me in a breaking news story, nor in a number with a group, I want a death that is heard by the world, a trace that lasts forever, and immortal images that neither time nor place can bury."

Aerial photo of Castle Ring, Harthill Moor, Derbyshire, image credit Historic England Archive, photo Dave MacLeod 2005

Here's a late entry for #HillfortsWednesday, an aerial of Castle Ring on Harthill Moor, one of Derbyshire's lesser known and more enigmatic sites. Never been excavated, is it really a hillfort? About half a hectare with a bank, external ditch and counterscarp
her.derbyshire.gov.uk/Monument/MDR...

A creative tribute to Emily Williamson, featuring a sepia-toned photograph of her as a young woman. She appears in period clothing, poised with one hand resting on a book. Behind her, a faded blue original emblem of the Society for the Protection of Birds, which she co-founded, includes illustrations of various birds in flight and perched, encircled by the society's name.

On this day 168 years ago, Emily Williamson was born. ⚡

At age 34, she founded the RSPB, setting the stage for over a century of vital work protecting nature, which continues today.

Happy Birthday, Emily...here's to your enduring impact!

Toby Carvery admits felling ancient Whitewebbs oak tree The owner of the pub chain falsely claimed the tree was dead as justification for the felling which has shocked local people and prompted outrage from conservationists across the country

A 450-yo oak is felled without permission by a Toby Carvery (don’t eat there), who falsely claimed it was "dead".
A tree alive when The Gunpowder Plot was hatched, which supports a web of 2000+ species, is in pieces.
Legal protection for heritage trees needed.
enfielddispatch.co.uk/toby-carvery...

BREAKING: Plastic nurdles are washing up along miles of the Norfolk coast, including RSPB Titchwell, following last week’s North Sea collision.🚨

This area is vital for migrating & nesting birds.

We have just days to act before this pollution spreads further.

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Potted History Museum quality replicas for all! Our authenticly made replicas span human history, from the Neolithic to the 20th century. Shop now.

🏺Why Invest in a Potted History Replica?
✔️ Handcrafted Authenticity – Meticulously made for quality & accuracy
✔️ Own a Slice of History – A tangible link to the past
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🛒 Shop now: 👉 potted-history.co.uk

These ones are fab too. They look better in real, saw them last year. :) Espresso or macchiato size?

A group of people waving hands and smiling in front of a building

We’re moving our conversations over to Bluesky and from the end of February will no longer be checking our X account.

You can find us sharing updates about our work here:
Bluesky: @nattrustarch.bsky.social
Facebook: @NationalTrustArchaeology
Instagram: @nationaltrustarchaeology

An infographic titled “Nest Box Dos” shows a well-designed wooden nest box mounted on a tree. An inset image of a Great Tit highlights a species that benefits. Three green checkmarks list key nest box tips: use sustainable, non-toxic wood; ensure boxes have waterproofing, drainage holes, and no perches; and choose boxes with removable side panels for easy cleaning.

An infographic titled “Nest Box Don’ts” features a brightly coloured, decorative nest box with perches mounted on a pole. Three red crosses highlight key mistakes: perches attract predators, toxic paint can harm birds, and metal or ceramic boxes can become too hot or cold. The text advises using simple, functional wooden nest boxes without unnecessary additions.

It's #NationalNestBoxWeek- and when it comes to looking after your garden friends, we've got you covered!

Let’s kick off with the all-important do's and don’ts when choosing a nest box. 👇

Share & keep nesting birds safe:

A playful illustrated title reads “How different birds would act on a first date." A disclaimer underneath states: “Not approved by RSPB fact-checkers.” The image features a cute Coal Tit perched sweetly on a blue flower. The background is a romantic shade of pink.

How different birds would act on a first date...a thread.

(From us to you this #ValentinesDay) 💕👇

Fabulous! Each one made me smile and then (internally) nod knowingly.
Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Ornate silver key with green and white labels with handwritten numbers attached.

St Valentine's keys are traditionally given to unlock the giver's heart. Valentine was a Roman priest who was caught marrying couples & refused to give up his Christian faith. Executed on 14 February 269 AD, it was not until the 14th century that his feast day became a celebration of romantic love.

A phone photo of stars in the night sky, featuring the constellations of Orion and Taurus and the bright planet Jupiter

Jupiter's still over there hanging out with the cool kids*, I see

* Orion, the Hyades, and the Pleiades

Curiosity stargazing on Mars.

This actually made my jaw drop open a little. So. Many. Stars.

It's good to look up from our feet every now and then.

Night y'all

Trot on then mate.

Would you like to explain why you think money is the core issue, rather than Warne, his coaching staff and his dreadful approach to football?

Fur from pets treated with tick and flea spot treatment impacts nesting birds. Excellent study by @cannelledemontaigu.bsky.social funded by @songbirdsurvival.bsky.social
#ornithology

Do you think Bolton might go in for League 1 promotion specialist Paul Warne?

Go now. What players is a manager like Warne going to attract? How will he get us ready to attempt to climb the Championship table. His 'football is s**t' even when he was getting us promoted lots thought that. Never going to change. Hope Clowes thinks about how 'attractive' Warne makes the club!!!