Rob Thomas
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robthomasbirds.bsky.social
Rob Thomas
@robthomasbirds.bsky.social
3.1K followers 2.7K following 1K posts
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.
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robthomasbirds.bsky.social
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
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
I am currently hosting a data analysis intern called Monty.
January 17, 2026 at 10:55 PM
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
First moth-trap of the year for me, in my Cardiff back garden :)
January 16, 2026 at 9:49 PM
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
An excellent opportunity to work on this iconic long-term study.
mcmahok.bsky.social Keith McMahon @mcmahok.bsky.social · 2d
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
We are seeking to appoint four full-time field assistants to work on the Wytham Tit Project for 4-8 weeks in spring 2026. Two 8-week field assistants will join the nest monitoring team; duties for these posts will include (i) collecting standardised data from nest-box breeding populations of blue and great tits, (ii) catching and ringing parent birds, (iii) ringing nestlings, and (iv) inputting data collected in the field. These positions with run from approximately Tuesday 7th April to Monday 1st June. Successful candidates for these positions must have (or be qualified to obtain) a BTO permit to ring adult great tits and blue tits. A further two field assistants will be hired to support a project collecting behavioural (foraging) data for great tits breeding in the Wytham population. These roles will involve a significant amount of nightwork. Duties will include (i) setting up and calibrating electronic tracking equipment and nest box cameras in the field, (ii) mapping tracking equipment locations using GPS, (iii) helping with catching and ringing parent birds and fitting tracking devices, (iv) assisting with mistnetting to re-trap tagged parents, and (v) inputting data collected in the field. These positions with be approximately 7 and 4 weeks in duration, starting from 13th April and 4th May, respectively. Possession of a BTO ringing permit with misnet endorsement and driving license are highly desirable for these roles. All fieldwork will take place in Wytham Woods, near Oxford. All Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate skill and enthusiasm for biological research as well as experience of fieldwork under arduous conditions, and both lone work and working as part of a team. Due to the short-term nature of these posts, successsful applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Salary & Accommodation: Field assistants will be paid at grade 5.2 (£17.37/hour). Contact eleanor.cole@Biology.ox.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
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
nthatsthetruth.bsky.social
Evergreen.
I Don't Know How To Explain To You That You Should Care About Other People Our disagreement is not merely political, but a fundamental divide on what it means to live in a society.
January 15, 2026 at 11:11 PM
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
“I have zero self-awareness…”
paleofuture.bsky.social Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 3d
“María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”
Trump: It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María! 13 ReTruths 47 Likes 1/15/26, 4:48 PM
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
nfbr.bsky.social
forum.inaturalist.org/t/guidelines...
Guidelines: - Best Practice for Using iNaturalist in the UK:
Best Practice for Using iNaturalist in the UK A practical, optional guide to help your observations integrate smoothly with the UK biological recording system This guidance is entirely optional. You...
forum.inaturalist.org
January 15, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
drkatemarvel.bsky.social
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
hausfath.bsky.social Zeke Hausfather @hausfath.bsky.social · 4d
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
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
My good friend and collaborator (and now colleague!) talking about his work tracking Leach’s Storm Petrels on their incredible journeys at sea.
rspbscience.bsky.social RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 4d
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
edhawkins.org
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
carolecadwalla.bsky.social
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
stubutchart.bsky.social
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
carolinelucas.bsky.social
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
olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social
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
clancyny.bsky.social
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
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
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
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
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
josie.zone
Renee Macklin Good's wife, Becca Good, released a statement and it moved me to sobbing tears:

archive.is/ur35j
First, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people who have reached out from across the country and around the world to support our family. This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind, In fact, kindness radiated out of her. Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn't wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine, Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it Where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole. Like people have done across place and time, we moved to make a better life for ourselves. We chose Minnesota to make our home. Our whole extended road trip here, we held hands in the car while our son drew all over the windows to pass the time and the miles, What we found when we got here was a vibrant and welcoming community, we made friends and spread joy: And while any place we were together was home, there was a strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other. Here, I had finally found peace and safe harbor. That has been taken from me forever. We were raising our son to believe that no matter where you come from or what you look like, all of us deserve compassion and kindness. Renee lived this belief every day. She is pure love. She is pure joy. She is pure sunshine On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns. Renee leaves behind three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father. I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way. We thank you for the privacy you are granting our family as we grieve. We thank you for ensuring that Renee's legacy is one of kindness and love. We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace, refusing division and knowing we must come together to build a world where we all come home safe to the people we love. E
January 9, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
nealhockley.bsky.social
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
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
@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
btobirds.bsky.social
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
eastglambto.bsky.social
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
A bird ring, silver in colour, placed on a wooden table.
January 8, 2026 at 10:24 AM
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
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.
hausfath.bsky.social Zeke Hausfather @hausfath.bsky.social · 10d
The US stands alone in dismissing the problem of climate change.
January 8, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Reposted by Rob Thomas
ipbes.net
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