Rob Thomas
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robthomasbirds.bsky.social
Rob Thomas
@robthomasbirds.bsky.social
Bird-watcher & conservationist in and from Wales. Principal Conservation Scientist with RSPB Cymru, Associate Researcher at Cardiff Uni, co-Director of Eco-explore CIC, Trustee of INCC & Craig y Rhondda. Views are my own, but you are welcome to share them.
Tomorrow I’ll be starting my new job as Principal Conservation Scientist with RSPB Cymru - using science to underpin the conservation of birds and other wildlife across Wales. Looking forward to taking on new projects, forming new collaborations and working for the benefit of Welsh biodiversity!
January 18, 2026 at 8:48 PM
I am currently hosting a data analysis intern called Monty.
January 17, 2026 at 10:55 PM
First moth-trap of the year for me, in my Cardiff back garden :)
January 16, 2026 at 9:49 PM
An excellent opportunity to work on this iconic long-term study.
We are hiring at the Wytham Woods for the upcoming field season. 4 roles available. Please share with anyone who might be interested. #UKbirds #birdringing
January 16, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
The Little Terns at Beacon Ponds have made a remarkable recovery, but they need urgent help to thrive in 2026. Your support can fund a professional warden, ensuring these birds are protected from threats. Please share and contribute if you can!

gofund.me/83bf3bdd8
Donate to Save the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project, organized by Spurn Bird Obs
Without urgent support, the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project may not be able … Spurn Bird Obs needs your support for Save the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project
gofund.me
January 16, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Evergreen.
January 15, 2026 at 11:11 PM
“I have zero self-awareness…”
“María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
The heat energy we added to the ocean LAST YEAR is the equivalent of:
- Detonating ten hydrogen bombs every minute
- operating over a hundred large power plants continuously for all of written human history
- Five times all the electricity human beings have ever used
Ocean heat content increased by 23 billion trillion joules, which was around 39 times greater than global primary energy use this year. This is the largest rise in OHC since 2017; overall OHC has increased by over 500 zettajoules since the 1940s.
January 14, 2026 at 9:05 PM
My good friend and collaborator (and now colleague!) talking about his work tracking Leach’s Storm Petrels on their incredible journeys at sea.
Join our Marine Team on an expedition to track the Leach's Petrel 🪶

These birds can travel over 2000km during a single foraging trip, but are only the size of a starling!

Watch the full film here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrXB...

All birds were caught and handled under licence by RSPB staff
Travel to a remote Scottish island to see how tagging seabirds can help protect them
YouTube video by RSPB
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Spiralling global temperatures (1850-2025)

The last 3 years really jump out, rather like 2015-6 did when we first produced this graphic back then. Now, 2015-6 looks rather cool...

More on the spiral: doi.org/10.1175/BAMS...
January 14, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
If you want to understand why the Ministry of Defence’s ‘strategic partnership’ with Palantir is so profoundly dangerous, please read my latest piece open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
January 13, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Translocation of Raso Larks to the island of Santa Luzia in 2018 after eradication of invasive cats has been spectacularly successful, with nearly 1000 individuals now. Great work by @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social partner Biosfera, and long-championed by Mike Brooke www.birdguides.com/news/raso-la...
Raso Lark reintroduction proves a triumph
After a small number of Raso Larks were translocated to Santa Luzia in 2018, the population has grown to as many as 1,000 individuals.
www.birdguides.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
This is beyond shocking - how can this be allowed to happen? Why on earth can’t they be released on bail? They have a right to a fair trial, appropriate medical treatment, & the removal of punitive Prison Service conditions. Govt’s ban on Palestine Action is simply intolerable
January 12, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
hi, political philosopher here! this is not funny, central banks only do this when they're in extreme distress
January 12, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
At last night’s candlelight vigil for Renee Nicole Good, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire announced he had asked the clergy of the diocese to get their affairs in order and to make sure they have their wills written ...,
January 11, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Happy Natur Cymru delivery day, to those who celebrate! Congratulations to Lizzie Wilberforce on another fantastic issue, packed full of interesting articles. @inccymru.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 7:21 PM
If anyone wants to know the levels of deer activity-density and browsing pressure at any of these 266 point locations across three woodlands in the Wye Valley, just give me a shout, yeah?
January 10, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Renee Macklin Good's wife, Becca Good, released a statement and it moved me to sobbing tears:

archive.is/ur35j
January 9, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Catching up on this piece by @ebenmyrddin.bsky.social challenging @plaidcymru.bsky.social on their environmental 'blind spot'. If Plaid want to retain their #caerphilly coalition for 2026, they will need to explain how they will restore Wales' wildlife nation.cymru/opinion/the-...
The Missing Agenda: Plaid Cymru’s Nature Blind Spot
Eben Myrddin Muse This weekend Welsh politics is comprehending a new political reality, confirmed by Caerphilly’s electorate – Plaid Cymru are the rising force in Welsh politics, the presumptive gover...
nation.cymru
October 31, 2025 at 9:49 AM
@bbcnews.bsky.social are *still* [midnight news] leading with JD Vance's un-evidenced and seemingly un-challenged view that Renee Good, who was shot in the face and killed by an ICE officer, was a "deranged leftist". Are you *absolutely sure* that she wasn't killed by a "deranged rightist"?
January 9, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Hear from Dr Ellie Leech, Head of our Ringing & Nest Recording Team, as she talks about positive breeding success for 14 species, and the value of data gathered by BTO bird ringers. #Ornithology
January 8, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Alex Hill and Calum Stringer found this ring, minus a bird, while searching for fossils recently on the beach at Lavernock Point.

It is a Finnish ring about 8mm in width. But can you guess which species of bird originally carried it?

Tune in tomorrow for a very interesting answer! #BirdRinging
January 8, 2026 at 10:24 AM
For red-green colour-blind people: The US stands alone in dismissing the problem of climate change. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
The US stands alone in dismissing the problem of climate change.
January 8, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
A new report from Natural Resources Wales has found that almost 3,000 species are at risk of disappearing from Wales. Steve Ormerod said the climate emergency and agricultural intensification were key pressures in the crisis.

Read more from Steven Morris in The Guardian : https://ow.ly/xjF550XJyuv
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 AM