Nature News from RSPB Scotland

Stephen and Kate are seeing early signs of Spring. They are joined by young naturalist Sorrel Lyall to talk about what it's like to work on North Ronaldsay ringing birds. Stephen also takes a walk on RSPB Scotland's Loch Leven Nature Reserve with Senior Habitats and Species officer James Silvey to see what evidence of spring there is amongst the sleet. Stephen apologises to some ducks an...

Join Kate, Stephen and Head of Habitats and Species Paul Walton for a bit of birdwatching and some tips on how to have a great Big Garden Birdwatch. The team also delve into the real science behind the event. Paul chats about glow in the dark blue tits, Kate is thinking about pigeon milk and Stephen doesn't want to play wrens at board games. LINKS NATURE PRESCRIPTIONS https://www.rspb.org.uk/...

Stephen and Kate are joined by Senior Policy Officer Isobel Mercer and Senior Conservation Officer David Hunt to look back at 2021. It's been a massive year for nature and the conversation ranges from the biggest Big Garden Birdwatch of all time to Glasgow's moment in the global spotlight during COP26. They also take time to share their biggest personal nature moments of the year. LINKS...

Stephen and Kate are joined by RSPB Scotland Director Anne McCall to analyse the deal done at COP26. They pick out what’s good for nature in the agreement and discuss the impact of activism on the summit. There’s also nature news involving long tailed tits, gallus foxes and juvenile delinquent gulls. Stephen also hears from two young activists Milly Hayward and Oluwaseyi Moejoh who spent the last...

A deal is done! Stephen is joined by RSPB staffer Melanie Coath who has been working for nature throughout the summit. They analyse the final agreement and reflect on the last two weeks. I f you've enjoyed these podcasts don't forget to listen to Nature News from RSPB Scotland and make sure you like and subscribe. You can find it in this fed or anywhere you get podcasts.

As it becomes clear COP26 will roll on past its Friday deadline Stephen is joined by Melanie Coath to find out where nature features in the latest draft agreement. He also chats to young activists  Rob Knott and Ruari Brogan about their experiences at the summit. Let us know what you think podcast.scotland@RSPB.org.uk

As crunch time approaches Stephen is joined by two of the RSPB's staff working inside Cop Melanie Coath and Fiona Dobson. They discuss the increasingly prominent role nature is taking at COPs and what an eventual deal might look like. He also catches up with former world champion cyclist Chris Boardman. And hears from ambient music pioneer and climate change campaigner Brian Eno.

As a draft deal is published Stephen is joined by RSPB Scotland's COP26 Project Manager Lottie van Grieken and Parliamentary Manager Patrick McGlinchey to examine this first indication of what a deal might look like. They ask whether nature is being given the attention it needs. Stephen also takes a trip to one of Glasgow's many parks with Dr Scott Shanks to get an insight into the role...

Today is Gender Day at COP26. Stephen Talks to Bianca Pitt, Co-Founder of She Changes Climate. It was set up to campaign for equal representation at COP for women. He also hears from two women who have travelled from Africa to attend COP, Prudence Muchinouta of Zambian organisation COMACO and Judy Muriithi of Kenya's Focused Conservation. Let us know what you think about COP podcast.scotland@...

Stephen talks to RSPB Scotland Director Anne McCall about Saturday's Day of Action and what the atmosphere is like inside the negotiations. He's also joined again by Principal Policy Officer Beatriz Luraschi to discuss what the likely sticking points of any deal might be and whose voices are the loudest in the room. Don't forget to let us know what you think podcast.scotland@RSPB.or...

It's the Day of Action and thousands are marching in Glasgow and elsewhere to speak up for nature and the climate. Stephen and Kate catch up with RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight, naturalist and campaigner Chris Packham, CBeebies star and RSPB stalwart Rory Crawford and Nadeem Perera of Flock Together. It's raining and the helicopters are back, but nothing can dampen their spirits or d...

As COP26 starts to really get into the hard work of forging a deal Stephen talks to Principle Policy Officer Beatriz Luraschi about the realities of negotiations. She's at her sixth COP and is closely observing events in Glasgow. Stephen also talks to young advocates for nature Oluwaseyi Moejoh from Nigeria and Milly Hawyward, a a residential volunteer at RSPB Forsinard Flows. They discuss wh...

Stephen is joined by Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of the RSPB and Patricia Zurata CEO of BirdLife International to get an insight into what's happening in the negotiating rooms of COP 26. Beccy outlines how we'll know if COP has produced a good deal. Patricia gives a global perspective on what's happening in Glasgow and Stephen sees a pretty fancy looking Police boat. Don't f...

Today the focus is on forests. Stephen talks to Scotland's Environment and Land Reform Minister Mairi McAllan MSP about what the Scottish Government plans to do to restore Scotland's rainforest. He also chats to Director, Scotland Anne McCall and Principal Policy Officer Andrew Weatherall about this unique habitat and the threats it faces. All this comes as world leaders promise to end d...

Stephen is actually at COP26, or at least just the other side of the security fence. But fear not as he has guests who have been inside making the case for nature. He's joined by Milly Hayward, a residential volunteer from RSPB Scotland's Forsinard Flows nature reserve who is in Glasgow to share her enthusiasm for our peatlands. The podcast also features a chat with Paul Walton from RSPB...

In the first of our special podcasts Kate and Stephen talk to Emma, a young person from Glasgow about her hopes for COP26. Emma is a member of the COP26 Youth Climate Steering Group and has been working with other young people to make sure their voices are heard at the summit. We'll be bringing you more updates over the next couple of weeks. Let us know what you think @RSPBScotland on Twitter...

Stephen and Kate are joined by RSPB Scotland’s Director Anne McCall to look ahead to the COP26 summit. There’s also news of snow buntings, a grouse based confrontation and a wildlife mystery to solve. Star of CBeebies, Rory Crawford also shares some tips about engaging kids with nature. Send us your nature news podcast.scotland@RSPB.org.uk   LINKS Take the Peat Free Pledge https://t.co/YqYLngFsq0?...

In this episode Stephen has lunch with some ducks and Kate gets an unusual view of a sparrowhawk. They are joined by Policy Officer Isobel Mercer to discuss how well Scotland's protected areas are actually looked after in practice and what the future holds for these key habitats. There's also a trip into the woods to go looking for fungi with James from the Comms team and a lovely autumn...

In this week's episode Kate and Stephen talk to Dr Francis Daunt of the UK Centre for Hydrology and Ecology about why seabirds are behaving strangely - and even dying - down the UK's East Coast. Over the last few weeks reports have come in of birds feeding in unusual areas and members of the public have been finding dead guillemots and razorbills along the coastline. We explore whether c...

Join Stephen and Kate on a damp day to chat sun kissed machair, benign neglect and whether or not we can get a listener in Antarctica. They’re also joined by Parliamentary Officer Nora Casey for a look at the Scottish Government’s programme for government.  You can vote for your favourite Nature Champions of the Decade here Nature Champions of the Decade (rspb.org.uk) Information on nature friendl...

Stephen and Kate are joined by Senior Conservation Officer David Hunt to talk about the approach of Autumn and the marvels of migration. There are some surprising revelations about the identities of the little brown birds in the garden and an attempt to get into the mind of a green sandpiper. Stephen shares his experience of performing starlings and Kate is having soup for lunch. Let us know your...

Kate and Stephen discuss Eco-Anxiety in the wake of the IPCC report on climate change, the success of the Edinburgh Swift City Project and hear about a new wetland on RSPB Scotland's Loch Lomond nature reserve. They also reflect on some of their own nature moments from the last couple of weeks. The Swift City Project is supported by ScottishPower Foundation. The Loch Lomond wetland is being c...

Kate and Stephen share their nature news after some hot weather brings out all that's good and slightly less welcome from the world of invertebrates. There's advice on how to help birds in warm weather. We look ahead to a vital climate conference in Glasgow. And we hear from a young woman who has fallen in love with the peat bogs at RSPB Scotland's Forsinard reserve. Don't forg...

Join Stephen and Kate as they mark midsummer by hearing about the "Simmer Dim" in Shetland. The podcast also covers recent nature news including a mass influx of rosy starlings and how to make sure you and your dog enjoy the outdoors without causing problems for wildlife. Let us know what you think of the podcast and what you want us to cover @RSPB Scotland on twitter or podcast.scotland...