Tom Finch

In case you missed it, our paper on the challenges and benefits of getting UK ag/land to net zero is now out: doi.org/10.1016/j.on...

If you are, or know, a Master's student looking for a research project for next year, @rspbscience.bsky.social have a really diverse set of opportunities here: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...

Slowly working my way through this: link.springer.com/article/10.1... "The original conveners of the SpSh framework and their academic progeny [is this me?] became vanguards for the concept of land sparing" Mostly feel like it is critiquing a version of sparing which few actually agree with

We're excited to announce our MSc projects for 2027 are live! 🧪🪶 Our postgraduate opportunities page now also advertises placement projects for PhD students too Find out more here: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...

New job alert 🪶🧪 We are hiring a Conservation Scientist to work on links between hydrological restoration and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker conservation Deadline: 7/10/26 Apply here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car... #SpeciesRecoveryProgramme @naturalengland.bsky.social 📷Ben Andrew

We provide 8 policy recommendations: from protecting critical migratory nodes and restoring breeding habitat to assessing wind-farm impacts. For migratory species, protecting one place is rarely enough. We need to protect the network of places connecting an entire life cycle. 2/3

The biggest revisions are on the high end – the new high scenario is noticeably lower than the high scenarios in the past three generations of scenarios, reflecting a reassessment of the plausible range of future emissions in light of past trends and changing technology costs.

New job alert🪶 2.5yr fixed term Conservation Scientist role in our England and Wales team Project: Developing a trial management intervention for upland breeding Whinchat through a programme of new science Deadline: 23 Sept Full details here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car... 📷Ben Andrew

While I have your attention, let’s cover the harm caused by SUVs compared to standard cars - greater danger to cyclists & pedestrians - bigger impacts on infrastructure - eg roads - & traffic - higher emissions & particulate pollution - larger batteries in electric SUVs, depleting mineral resources

You can't adapt to climate change without also doing aggressive mitigation, otherwise the thing you are trying to adapt to will keep changing. (It's going to keep changing anyway, even with aggressive mitigation - just less badly and less quickly than in the absence of mitigation).

A six-tern day is a good day

Osprey at Doune Ponds earlier this afternoon @upperforthbirds.bsky.social #birdingscotland

Back home after another great week on Jura, our last year organising the fell race. Wildlife highlight was a Ringed Plover nest mid-hatching. Lowlight was pulling out 27 ticks after an 8km jog.

Finally seen one of the local beavers - honest! 500m from home.

Enjoying hearing both Willow and Grasshopper Warbler singing from (though definitely not in) our garden. Wheatears back on the hill too, and first House Martins spotted over the weekend #birdingscotland

Drax has confirmed it won't progress with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) "in the short to medium term”, leaving a significant hole in the UK's carbon budget. What now? 🧵 A quick thread

🔊 JOB VACANCY Would you like to work at the heart of a global ornithological membership society? BOU are seeking a Journal and Engagement Manager to play a central role in delivering our mission ⏰ Apply by 14 April bou.org.uk/vacancy-j... #ornithology 🪶

Is hayfever season upon us already? Here in Central Scotland I've looked like a bee sting victim / unsuccessful boxer for the last three days. Seen some high forecasts for Cypress tree pollen, but don't think Met Office pollen forecasts start until later this month

This #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience meet just six of the inspiring women in our Conservation Science department and hear about some of their most memorable moments at the RSPB 🧪 Read the full story here: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

Little Egret at confluence of Allan Water and Forth this afternoon @upperforthbirds.bsky.social

Good news - I suspect many other respectable organisations will follow soon.... www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Reconciling top-down and bottom-up treescape objectives Wednesday - 1215 - Tinto @tfinch.bsky.social @britishecologicalsociety.org 📷Tom Finch

Trees or breeding waders? THREAD 1/4 There's little point paying farmers to leave space for breeding waders if their neighbours are going to plant trees. besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... New review paper by Emma Sheard et al suggests that forests create ... #ornithology

3 woodcock between Cocksburn reservoir and Dumyat summit this morning #BirdingScotland @upperforthbirds.bsky.social

Are you an MSc student based at a UK university? Or do you know one? RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #ornithology #conservationscience 🌍

📣Job vacancy!📣 Research Fellow in Global Conservation at Leeds, working with Dave Williams (and me, a bit) to assess the impact of conservation initiatives on biodiversity, carbon, and people: jobs.leeds.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx... #ConservationScience 🌍

🦠 SAVE THE DATE! 🦜 I'm excited to announce that the theme of the 2027 BOU conference is Avian Disease Ecology! 📍 Nottingham, UK 📅 6–8 April 2027 🔗 Full details: lnkd.in/gPvFFDJe Please share widely! #BOU2027 #Ornithology #WildlifeDisease #AvianDisease #EcoHealth

📢 REGISTRATION OPEN #BOU2026 | Birds and people | 31 March - 2 April 2026 University of Nottingham & Zoom & Bluesky Check out the programme and book your place today! bou.org.uk/event/bir... #ornithology 🪶

📣PhD opportunity📣 Farming Futures: comparing regenerative and conventional practices on soil, chemical use, and ecosystems in a changing climate With @ukceh.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social and others 🔗 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Job vacancy 🧪 Principal Conservation Scientist, RSPB Cymru Can you provide the evidence needed to save and restore the iconic species and landscapes of Wales? Deadline: 3rd Nov Location: Flexible within Wales Duration: Permanent Apply here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car... 📷Jake Stephen

Fully funded PhD working on insectivorous bird declines with a broad range of stakeholders. Starting ASAP #ornithology #zoology #biodiversity #science #ecology www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...

New job alert: An amazing opportunity - our International science team are hiring for a 2yr position (initially) for an experienced scientist to work on tropical forest conservation 🌍🧪 Full details here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car... 📷Nick Williams/RSPB

We're hiring!🧪🪶 Join our Conservation Science Technical team and help design and develop field equipment for research activities such as tracking and monitoring Full details here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...

I really like this paper, which models patterns and drivers of occupancy change across GB for 1252 insect species. Especially like Fig 5 which shows the most important negative and positive drivers for each grid square #conservationscience 🌍 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Check out the graphical abstract for a paper recently published in Ecological Modelling. I have papers published in Ecological Modelling. Never again, I guess.