Rob Yarham
@robyarham.bsky.social
Nature writer, editor and photographer and RSPB and National Trust wildlife guide and conservation volunteer
Reposted by Rob Yarham
This should be the main story on all TV news programmes. The University of Essex is closing its Southend campus because of the fall in the number of foreign students and the loss of income they provided for the University. www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566689...
December 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This should be the main story on all TV news programmes. The University of Essex is closing its Southend campus because of the fall in the number of foreign students and the loss of income they provided for the University. www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566689...
Reposted by Rob Yarham
More detail on Natural England's decision to close its Hen Harrier Southern Reintroduction Project (& a discussion on how much public funding has been wasted on this pointless project).
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/02/m...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/02/m...
More detail on Natural England’s decision to close Hen Harrier Southern Reintroduction Project
Back in September, Natural England announced its decision to end its controversial plan to ‘reintroduce’ Hen Harriers to southern England (see here). The decision was widely welcomed by…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
More detail on Natural England's decision to close its Hen Harrier Southern Reintroduction Project (& a discussion on how much public funding has been wasted on this pointless project).
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/02/m...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/02/m...
Reposted by Rob Yarham
The Temminck’s Stint at Minsmere today was distant but light was nice….
December 2, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The Temminck’s Stint at Minsmere today was distant but light was nice….
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Finally some reality is seeping into this Govt's climate ambitions. Carbon Capture and Storage is and always will be a pipe dream foisted on the rest of us by the Fossil Fuel industry.
#Graphicoftheweek: The UK has sharply downgraded near-term expectations for engineered carbon removals📉
Our chart shows the scale of this shift, highlighting the need to focus on delivering proven climate solutions like renewables and electrification⚡
https://ember-energy.org/
Our chart shows the scale of this shift, highlighting the need to focus on delivering proven climate solutions like renewables and electrification⚡
https://ember-energy.org/
December 2, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Finally some reality is seeping into this Govt's climate ambitions. Carbon Capture and Storage is and always will be a pipe dream foisted on the rest of us by the Fossil Fuel industry.
Reposted by Rob Yarham
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
December 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
Reposted by Rob Yarham
This Water Pipit was a nice surprise at Island Mere Minsmere just before dusk.
December 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
This Water Pipit was a nice surprise at Island Mere Minsmere just before dusk.
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
Reposted by Rob Yarham
#BirdOfTheDay A Wilson’s Snipe for #Stripes. Taken through a car window this was the closest encounter I’ve ever had with this species..
December 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM
#BirdOfTheDay A Wilson’s Snipe for #Stripes. Taken through a car window this was the closest encounter I’ve ever had with this species..
Reposted by Rob Yarham
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Not just a tragedy for America, but, given the central place the US occupies in the research ecosystem, a tragedy for the world.
“Thousands of very competitive projects in areas like cancer, diabetes, aging, neurological disorders and public health improvements most like went unfunded in 2025.
Similarly, at the National Science Foundation, the roughly 3,000 fewer new grants encompassed reductions to every area of science”
Similarly, at the National Science Foundation, the roughly 3,000 fewer new grants encompassed reductions to every area of science”
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Not just a tragedy for America, but, given the central place the US occupies in the research ecosystem, a tragedy for the world.
Reposted by Rob Yarham
If you are sick and tired of Governments failing to implement a peat compost ban again and again - to save all of the habitat it destroys each year and bring security to jobs and businesses in horticulture - please sign this petition actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal... I’ve signed
Sign the petition to end peat sales!
No more delays: Let's get peat out of gardens once and for all. The time for uncertainty has ended.
actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
December 1, 2025 at 6:32 PM
If you are sick and tired of Governments failing to implement a peat compost ban again and again - to save all of the habitat it destroys each year and bring security to jobs and businesses in horticulture - please sign this petition actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal... I’ve signed
Reposted by Rob Yarham
2014: “I admire Putin as an operator”
2010-14: Appeared on Russia today 17 times
2017: Knighted by a 7 year old girl on RT
2022: blames EU for Russian invasion
2024: “We provoked this war … of course it’s his fault – he’s used what we’ve done as an excuse”
Is this not dodgy?
2010-14: Appeared on Russia today 17 times
2017: Knighted by a 7 year old girl on RT
2022: blames EU for Russian invasion
2024: “We provoked this war … of course it’s his fault – he’s used what we’ve done as an excuse”
Is this not dodgy?
December 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
2014: “I admire Putin as an operator”
2010-14: Appeared on Russia today 17 times
2017: Knighted by a 7 year old girl on RT
2022: blames EU for Russian invasion
2024: “We provoked this war … of course it’s his fault – he’s used what we’ve done as an excuse”
Is this not dodgy?
2010-14: Appeared on Russia today 17 times
2017: Knighted by a 7 year old girl on RT
2022: blames EU for Russian invasion
2024: “We provoked this war … of course it’s his fault – he’s used what we’ve done as an excuse”
Is this not dodgy?
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Sounds like a lot.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
🔎£500m
The government will today commit £500m to landscape recovery projects across England over the next two decades, funding large scale habitat restoration and creation to help meet climate, nature and water targets.
www.businessgreen.com/news/452256...
The government will today commit £500m to landscape recovery projects across England over the next two decades, funding large scale habitat restoration and creation to help meet climate, nature and water targets.
www.businessgreen.com/news/452256...
Environmental Improvement Plan: Defra pledges £500m for landscape recovery in revised plan
Long-awaited update to wide-ranging Environmental Improvement Plan set to be published later today by the government
www.businessgreen.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Sounds like a lot.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
Reposted by Rob Yarham
The Environmental Improvement Plan is out🎉
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
December 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The Environmental Improvement Plan is out🎉
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Senior MPs including Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and Darren Jones are claiming tens of thousands of pounds a year in taxpayer-funded rent expenses while either calling for or implementing benefit cuts on the poorest
By me, for the Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
By me, for the Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
Revealed: MPs rack up huge rent expenses while pushing through cuts to benefits
MPs are allowed to rent a second home, but while they are simultaneously cutting benefits for the vulnerable, the cost feels hard to swallow.
www.bigissue.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Senior MPs including Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and Darren Jones are claiming tens of thousands of pounds a year in taxpayer-funded rent expenses while either calling for or implementing benefit cuts on the poorest
By me, for the Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
By me, for the Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Lee Anderson, who makes nearly £200,000 a year, repeatedly calls for benefit clampdowns, and described Britain as a “food bank for the world”...
...claims more in taxpayer-funded hotel bills than any other MP in England, billing the taxpayer for £22.5k in 2024/25 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
...claims more in taxpayer-funded hotel bills than any other MP in England, billing the taxpayer for £22.5k in 2024/25 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
Revealed: MPs rack up huge rent expenses while pushing through cuts to benefits
MPs are allowed to rent a second home, but while they are simultaneously cutting benefits for the vulnerable, the cost feels hard to swallow.
www.bigissue.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Lee Anderson, who makes nearly £200,000 a year, repeatedly calls for benefit clampdowns, and described Britain as a “food bank for the world”...
...claims more in taxpayer-funded hotel bills than any other MP in England, billing the taxpayer for £22.5k in 2024/25 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
...claims more in taxpayer-funded hotel bills than any other MP in England, billing the taxpayer for £22.5k in 2024/25 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Clear skies and a low sun in your face make for difficult birding - and worse photography - conditions, but you have to keep your eyes peeled for the Bittern popping out to say hello
@rspbminsmere.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
@rspbminsmere.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Clear skies and a low sun in your face make for difficult birding - and worse photography - conditions, but you have to keep your eyes peeled for the Bittern popping out to say hello
@rspbminsmere.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
@rspbminsmere.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Massive decline in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park Peregrine population linked to intensive grouse moor management.
Press release from Cairngorms National Park Authority, copy of the new report, & commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/30/m...
Press release from Cairngorms National Park Authority, copy of the new report, & commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/30/m...
Massive decline in Cairngorms National Park Peregrine population linked to intensive grouse moor management
Press release from Cairngorms National Park Authority (24 November 2025) PEREGRINE NUMBERS IN DECLINE IN CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK The last UK-wide survey of peregrines took place in 2014 and covere…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 30, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Massive decline in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park Peregrine population linked to intensive grouse moor management.
Press release from Cairngorms National Park Authority, copy of the new report, & commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/30/m...
Press release from Cairngorms National Park Authority, copy of the new report, & commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/30/m...
Reposted by Rob Yarham
ScotLab are, for lack of a better word, fucked in May. Sarwar will not be FM.
Ousting Starmer before then, even if they could, wouldn't help. There's no alternative that could overcome a) their existing issues or b) be so appealing to Scots to render those issues irrelevant.
Ousting Starmer before then, even if they could, wouldn't help. There's no alternative that could overcome a) their existing issues or b) be so appealing to Scots to render those issues irrelevant.
Scottish MPs may challenge Keir Starmer over election ‘slaughter’ fear
Labour MPs believe a change of leader could be the difference between dislodging the SNP in May’s Holyrood elections or a rout. But time is running out
www.thetimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
ScotLab are, for lack of a better word, fucked in May. Sarwar will not be FM.
Ousting Starmer before then, even if they could, wouldn't help. There's no alternative that could overcome a) their existing issues or b) be so appealing to Scots to render those issues irrelevant.
Ousting Starmer before then, even if they could, wouldn't help. There's no alternative that could overcome a) their existing issues or b) be so appealing to Scots to render those issues irrelevant.
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Sorry, what now? So not only is Labour creating one of the most anti-asylum systems going, but they're now ending the unit which helps monitor and address situations related to emerging refugee crises and displacement. What could possibly go wrong with that plan?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Fears for UK security as Foreign Office moves to scrap unit on conflict and refugee crises
MPs warn axing FCDO’s migration and conflict directorate amid staff cuts risks undermining peace work and expertise
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Sorry, what now? So not only is Labour creating one of the most anti-asylum systems going, but they're now ending the unit which helps monitor and address situations related to emerging refugee crises and displacement. What could possibly go wrong with that plan?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Another amazing day for watching Humpback Whales off the south Mainland of Shetland with still at least seven individuals recorded along a 10km stretch of coast between Levenwick and Fladdabister!
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
November 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Another amazing day for watching Humpback Whales off the south Mainland of Shetland with still at least seven individuals recorded along a 10km stretch of coast between Levenwick and Fladdabister!
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
Reposted by Rob Yarham
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Bookselling is like the most "people go to the store and buy what looks cool to them without a particular agenda" type business left, and your purchases have a huge influence on what is ordered, what is displayed, and what is recommended.
November 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Here’s a new Gannet for you on #SuperSeabirdSunday. Xx
November 30, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Here’s a new Gannet for you on #SuperSeabirdSunday. Xx
Reposted by Rob Yarham
Reposted by Rob Yarham
30th November marks Remembrance Day for Lost Species and we are remembering the Slender-billed Curlew.
We want to keep the name of the Slender-billed Curlew alive and hold it in our hearts as we learn from the loss.
This cannot happen again on our watch. 💔
📷 Chris Gomersall
We want to keep the name of the Slender-billed Curlew alive and hold it in our hearts as we learn from the loss.
This cannot happen again on our watch. 💔
📷 Chris Gomersall
November 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
30th November marks Remembrance Day for Lost Species and we are remembering the Slender-billed Curlew.
We want to keep the name of the Slender-billed Curlew alive and hold it in our hearts as we learn from the loss.
This cannot happen again on our watch. 💔
📷 Chris Gomersall
We want to keep the name of the Slender-billed Curlew alive and hold it in our hearts as we learn from the loss.
This cannot happen again on our watch. 💔
📷 Chris Gomersall