Kilmanybirder

Lovely weather conditions for this time of year. The trees are still holding onto their golden leaves, but soon they’ll make way for bare branches in winter so making the most of it.
#Autumn #NaturePhotography

The Eastern Nightingale from yesterday, arriving on scene even more surreal than usual even at Rattray with heavy smoke drifting across the area, hooded figures, late 90's techno blaring and an air raid siren soundtrack! Luckily bird unfazed... #birdingscotland

Motion passed. Condemning proscription of Palestine Action. "The Scottish Green Party has a long history of supporting Palestine and campaigning against apartheid and the injustices of imperialism and colonialism. We, therefore, should stand against this authoritarian move by the UK state."

Our Autumn Conference has voted overwhelmingly to oppose the anti-democratic proscription of Palestine Action and the criminalisation of peaceful protest.

“The people of Gaza, of the West Bank, of every refugee camp and occupied village, deserve solidarity, not censorship."

This is the NINTH White-rumped Sandpiper in land locked Staffordshire this week🤷🏻‍♂️Birds Hey - Bloody Hell !!!!

A barn owl in the field behind the house was a nice addition to the Kilmany patch list for 2025.

First redwings and fieldfares of autumn Kilmany this morning

Close up pic of five Merveille du Jour moths clustered together for a photo

Not one, not two, not three, not even four but FIVE Merveille du Jours - marvels of last night’s moth trap! #teammoth

The Inglorious Twelfth again. When will it end? Shooting birds for fun has no justification. Shooting raptors for preying on birds that you want to shoot is deplorable. Licensing is not enough - it’s time for a complete end to driven grouse slaughter with proper compensation for estate workers.

12 August marks the start of the Snipe shooting season in GB (not NI).
Historically, drainage has massively reduced breeding numbers. Species is amber-listed.
@bbs-birds.bsky.social trend for 1995-2023 is +17%.
Blog about Snipe & Jack Snipe:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/s...
#ornithology

Ministers set to admit Sizewell C nuclear plant pricetag has soared to £38bn New official estimate reflects surging construction inflation and contingency costs

Astonishing (or not?) UK Labour govt will make exactly the same mistakes over nuclear power as Tories

Steadily gulled into a bad project until they have no option but to agree an expensive deal

And only publish the embarrassing details when it’s too late to alter them

www.ft.com/content/d431...

Enforcement must include the removal of ammunition covered by the ban from the supply chain to prevent its continued use.

Our reaction to the news that toxic lead shot is to be banned for nearly all uses in Scotland 👏

Fife man jailed for animal cruelty offences. Good to see press release on wildlife crime from Police Scotland www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happe...

At our demonstration today, I'm holding a placard stating
"I support
Palestine.
Action
must be taken."
My aim is to highlight the absurdity of the government dictating what can and cannot be said by peace-seeking people

Defra refuses funding for another futile ‘dialogue’ process to address ongoing killing of Hen Harriers on grouse moors Back in March 2025 I blogged about the prospect of another futile ‘dialogue’ process between gamebird shooters and conservationists, purportedly to find a ‘solution’ to the ongoing ille…

Glad to see Defra has seen sense and rejected this funding bid.

Tackling illegal persecution of Hen Harriers on UK grouse moors requires robust & effective enforcement, not cosy chats drinking tea & eating soft biscuits.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/09/d...

Woodlark

Watching this Woodlark in the Brecks today (from a public right of way) reminds me I need to get on with my visits for the UK-wide Woodlark Survey in the next few days. Check out the BTO website - still lots of squares to cover!
www.bto.org/our-science/...
@btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding

50,000 people support the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group’s petition to ban possession of dangerous, raptor-killing pesticides Many, many thanks to all of you who signed the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group’s (NIRSG) petition calling for a ban on the possession of dangerous, raptor-killing pesticides. The petition…

Great effort by @nirsg.bsky.social to secure this many signatures.

The Minister needs to create an Order listing the proscribed pesticides without further delay. It is just a technical formality, there can be no excuse.

#RaptorResearch

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/03/03/5...

BREAKING NEWS!

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has acquired a 7,618ha estate in the Highlands.

Read the full story: buff.ly/3QD6hBu

#WorldWildlifeDay

World's glaciers melting faster than ever recorded

Wild Justice appoints first Chief Executive - Wild Justice Conservation campaign group Wild Justice has appointed Bob Elliot as its first Chief Executive. Bob has worked in the nature […]

Wild Justice appoints first Chief Executive wildjustice.org.uk/general/wild...

'No cat ban in Scotland' says First Minister after Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, which advises ministers on animal welfare, had urged them to look further into the pros and cons of "compulsory containment" of cats in certain parts of Scotland.

Lynx captured after illegal release in Highlands Two lynx that were unlawfully released in the Highlands have been successfully recaptured by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)

Lynx captured after illegal release in Highlands
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/L...

59% would support Scottish independence if we abolished the monarchy.

An independent Scottish republic?

A huge majority would support independence if it also meant removing the King as head of state.

A newly independent Scotland must be based on a foundation equality and democracy. These principles are simply incompatible with monarchy.

Nigerian Authorities Seize 2 Tons of Pangolin Scales and Arrest Key Broker in Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust The suspect is believed to be part of a network involved in the major supply of pangolin scales to trafficking networks based in Lagos.

Major arrests and recoveries of pangolin scales and elephant ivory in Nigeria. UK could have the same disruptive effect on wildlife crime if governments and senior police officers would treat it with more urgency. www.goodnewsnetwork.org/nigerian-aut...

RSPCA accused of ‘failure of leadership’ as Chris Packham resigns Packham and Caroline Lucas stood down as president and vice-president after workers at the charity’s approved abattoirs were filmed mistreating animals

Chris Packham @chrisgpackham.bsky.social and Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social resign as president and vice-president of RSPCA @rspcaofficial.bsky.social after workers at the charity’s approved abattoirs were filmed mistreating animal www.thetimes.com/uk/environme... #AnimalWelfare

Wolves in EU lose safeguards, allowing culls as numbers soar

Cheeky! #squirrels #Kilmany

Today, finally, the ban on inhumane snares comes into force in Scotland. All the protesting, lobbying and marching has finally paid off. Hopefully signs like this one near #Kilmany in North Fife will soon be removed.

My article is by no means original. People have been protesting against the use of #fireworks for years. Here's a link to The Firework Campaign UK who have been campaigning to reform UK firework legislation since 2013. They have an ongoing petition. #BanFireworks
fireworkcampaign.com?fbclid=IwY2x...

Just a scattering of snow on Forret Hill #Kilmany #StormBert