Rob Thomas
@robthomasbirds.bsky.social
Bird-watcher & conservationist in and from Wales. Associate researcher at Cardiff Uni, co-director of Eco-explore Community Interest Company, trustee of Initiative for Nature Conservation Cymru & Craig y Rhondda. Received Marsh Award for Ornithology 2025.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Should ecologists be worried about the carbon footprint of their own use of “AI” and LLMs?
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
The role of AI in ecology’s computational carbon footprint
Click on the article title to read more.
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Should ecologists be worried about the carbon footprint of their own use of “AI” and LLMs?
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
"You seem happier"
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
"You seem happier"
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
I wonder if Republicans dread spending Thanksgiving with their tolerant and accepting family members.
November 23, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I wonder if Republicans dread spending Thanksgiving with their tolerant and accepting family members.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Hard hitting words from Chris Packham to politicians and leaders at the National Emergency Briefing on climate and nature:
"You MUST listen to the science. We didn't just elect you. We've given you our trust. You are about to hear from leading scientists. I beseach you to hear their truth"
"You MUST listen to the science. We didn't just elect you. We've given you our trust. You are about to hear from leading scientists. I beseach you to hear their truth"
November 27, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Hard hitting words from Chris Packham to politicians and leaders at the National Emergency Briefing on climate and nature:
"You MUST listen to the science. We didn't just elect you. We've given you our trust. You are about to hear from leading scientists. I beseach you to hear their truth"
"You MUST listen to the science. We didn't just elect you. We've given you our trust. You are about to hear from leading scientists. I beseach you to hear their truth"
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Powerful morning of gut-punching presentations on true gravity of #climate & nature emergency from leading scientists speaking at packed #nationalemergencybriefing. Overwhelmingly clear we can only make the necessary green transition if social justice & equity are at its heart
November 27, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Powerful morning of gut-punching presentations on true gravity of #climate & nature emergency from leading scientists speaking at packed #nationalemergencybriefing. Overwhelmingly clear we can only make the necessary green transition if social justice & equity are at its heart
Reposted by Rob Thomas
🚨BOOM! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 70,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000 this week. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
🚨BOOM! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 70,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000 this week. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Lads, don’t do this and then wonder why the place is full of foxes and corvids.
November 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Lads, don’t do this and then wonder why the place is full of foxes and corvids.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
As I'm planning next years field season, I wonder if anyone on here would like to run a small island project on Skúvoy with me. I will be catching and samling great skuas, but there will be good opportunities to investigate other aspects of seabird island ecology 🌍🧪 #seabirds
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 PM
As I'm planning next years field season, I wonder if anyone on here would like to run a small island project on Skúvoy with me. I will be catching and samling great skuas, but there will be good opportunities to investigate other aspects of seabird island ecology 🌍🧪 #seabirds
Please consider signing the UK parliamentary petition for a public enquiry into Russian influence on UK politics and democracy. Following the jailing of Reform's recent Wales leader (Nathan Gill) for accepting Russian bribes, this has never been more important.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Please consider signing the UK parliamentary petition for a public enquiry into Russian influence on UK politics and democracy. Following the jailing of Reform's recent Wales leader (Nathan Gill) for accepting Russian bribes, this has never been more important.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
The legendary Steve Roberts will be talking about funny buzzards on Saturday 6th December at Goytre Village hall. £2 entry, iodine tablets available on the door.
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The legendary Steve Roberts will be talking about funny buzzards on Saturday 6th December at Goytre Village hall. £2 entry, iodine tablets available on the door.
Another spectacular autumn day counting poo in the Wye Valley woodlands.
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Another spectacular autumn day counting poo in the Wye Valley woodlands.
Please attend the National Emergency Briefing @annamcmorrin.bsky.social
- We need all MPs to turn up and show solidarity.
- We need all MPs to turn up and show solidarity.
#COP30 has failed to deliver. Over 1,000 scientists now urge all MPs to attend the UK National Emergency Briefing on the #climate & #nature crisis.
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
www.nebriefing.org/open-letter
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
www.nebriefing.org/open-letter
National Emergency Briefing
An unfiltered assessment of the latest threats to UK food supply, health and national security from eight leading experts to an invitation-only audience - also covering positive solutions. Westminster...
www.nebriefing.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Please attend the National Emergency Briefing @annamcmorrin.bsky.social
- We need all MPs to turn up and show solidarity.
- We need all MPs to turn up and show solidarity.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
GREAT NEWS in #conservation: the government of New Zealand has announced that they will include feral cats in their PredatorFree 2050 strategy, aiming to benefit #seabirds and landbirds across NZ by removing feral cats:
Feral cats to be added to Predator Free 2050
The Government is delivering on its campaign promise to add feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 target species list to protect our precious native wildlife, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:24 AM
GREAT NEWS in #conservation: the government of New Zealand has announced that they will include feral cats in their PredatorFree 2050 strategy, aiming to benefit #seabirds and landbirds across NZ by removing feral cats:
Reposted by Rob Thomas
An incredible opportunity to work with the @rspb.bsky.social and Storm petrels as part of your Master's degree! 🕊️
#research #seabirds
#research #seabirds
Studying for an MSc this year & looking for a #seabird research project?
We're looking for a student to help investigate the factors that influence #StormPetrel response rates during playback surveys. 🔊🐣
🔗Do get in touch if you have any Qs: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #seabirds #ornithology
We're looking for a student to help investigate the factors that influence #StormPetrel response rates during playback surveys. 🔊🐣
🔗Do get in touch if you have any Qs: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #seabirds #ornithology
November 24, 2025 at 1:24 PM
An incredible opportunity to work with the @rspb.bsky.social and Storm petrels as part of your Master's degree! 🕊️
#research #seabirds
#research #seabirds
Reposted by Rob Thomas
We have a talk coming up this week on Friday 28th November about bird ringing at Oxwich Marsh. The talk will be at St Paul's Parish Centre in Sketty and will start at 19:30. Full details at the link below:
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
November 24, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We have a talk coming up this week on Friday 28th November about bird ringing at Oxwich Marsh. The talk will be at St Paul's Parish Centre in Sketty and will start at 19:30. Full details at the link below:
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/ringin...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Hen Harrier found dead in Northumberland National Park with shotgun damage to satellite tag raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/24/h...
Hen Harrier found dead in Northumberland National Park with shotgun damage to satellite tag
This is a blog about one of those dead Hen Harriers for whom we’ve been waiting over a year for Natural England to confirm the cause of death. A Hen Harrier (photo by Pete Walkden) The young …
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Hen Harrier found dead in Northumberland National Park with shotgun damage to satellite tag raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/24/h...
Reposted by Rob Thomas
The only reason Gill stopped being the Reform UK leader in Wales was because he failed to win a seat in the 2021 Senedd election.
Zia Yusuf keeps trying to make this sound like this is ancient history, and Reform washed their hands of him, but nothing is further from the truth.
Zia Yusuf keeps trying to make this sound like this is ancient history, and Reform washed their hands of him, but nothing is further from the truth.
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The only reason Gill stopped being the Reform UK leader in Wales was because he failed to win a seat in the 2021 Senedd election.
Zia Yusuf keeps trying to make this sound like this is ancient history, and Reform washed their hands of him, but nothing is further from the truth.
Zia Yusuf keeps trying to make this sound like this is ancient history, and Reform washed their hands of him, but nothing is further from the truth.
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Studying for an MSc this year & looking for a #seabird research project?
We're looking for a student to help investigate the factors that influence #StormPetrel response rates during playback surveys. 🔊🐣
🔗Do get in touch if you have any Qs: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #seabirds #ornithology
We're looking for a student to help investigate the factors that influence #StormPetrel response rates during playback surveys. 🔊🐣
🔗Do get in touch if you have any Qs: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #seabirds #ornithology
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Studying for an MSc this year & looking for a #seabird research project?
We're looking for a student to help investigate the factors that influence #StormPetrel response rates during playback surveys. 🔊🐣
🔗Do get in touch if you have any Qs: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #seabirds #ornithology
We're looking for a student to help investigate the factors that influence #StormPetrel response rates during playback surveys. 🔊🐣
🔗Do get in touch if you have any Qs: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #seabirds #ornithology
Reposted by Rob Thomas
It was nice having a mass higher education system for half a century
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
It was nice having a mass higher education system for half a century
Please consider signing this important petition for a public inquiry into Russian influence in UK politics & democracy. This follows the conviction of Welsh "Reform Party" leader, Nathan Gill, who this week was jailed for 10 years for accepting Russian bribes.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 23, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Please consider signing this important petition for a public inquiry into Russian influence in UK politics & democracy. This follows the conviction of Welsh "Reform Party" leader, Nathan Gill, who this week was jailed for 10 years for accepting Russian bribes.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Terrifying. What do people see in these Reform criminals?
That feeling when your country looks likely to tip from having a government that is at best hugely disappointing and actively complicit in mass war crimes to something much worse
Nowcast Update - Green's vote share surpasses Lib Dems, as Labour hits new low.
RFM: 350 (+345), 30.2% (50 Maj.)
LAB: 87 (-324), 18.8%
LDM: 75 (+3), 13.0%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
CON: 38 (-83), 17.6%
GRN: 23 (+19), 13.5%
PLC: 7 (+3), 1.1%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.1%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
RFM: 350 (+345), 30.2% (50 Maj.)
LAB: 87 (-324), 18.8%
LDM: 75 (+3), 13.0%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
CON: 38 (-83), 17.6%
GRN: 23 (+19), 13.5%
PLC: 7 (+3), 1.1%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.1%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
November 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Terrifying. What do people see in these Reform criminals?
Reposted by Rob Thomas
Open letter from over 1,000 UK scientists urging all MPs to attend the National Emergency Briefing. A huge list full of highly respected names.
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP. #NEB2025
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP. #NEB2025
National Emergency Briefing
An unfiltered assessment of the latest threats to UK food supply, health and national security from eight leading experts to an invitation-only audience - also covering positive solutions. Westminster...
www.nebriefing.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Open letter from over 1,000 UK scientists urging all MPs to attend the National Emergency Briefing. A huge list full of highly respected names.
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP. #NEB2025
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP. #NEB2025
Reposted by Rob Thomas
🌊Investigating where Swinhoe's Storm-petrels go across the north-western Pacific and Indian Oceans
🛰️Insights from geolocators recovered from four birds: doi.org/10.1017/S095...
#BirdConservation #Ornithology #Conservation #Research
#Swinhoe's #stormpetrel #seabird #tracking #migration
🛰️Insights from geolocators recovered from four birds: doi.org/10.1017/S095...
#BirdConservation #Ornithology #Conservation #Research
#Swinhoe's #stormpetrel #seabird #tracking #migration
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
🌊Investigating where Swinhoe's Storm-petrels go across the north-western Pacific and Indian Oceans
🛰️Insights from geolocators recovered from four birds: doi.org/10.1017/S095...
#BirdConservation #Ornithology #Conservation #Research
#Swinhoe's #stormpetrel #seabird #tracking #migration
🛰️Insights from geolocators recovered from four birds: doi.org/10.1017/S095...
#BirdConservation #Ornithology #Conservation #Research
#Swinhoe's #stormpetrel #seabird #tracking #migration
Reposted by Rob Thomas
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 🌍
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
Postgraduate opportunities
The RSPB is offering a variety of exciting research projects for postgraduate students in 2026.
www.rspb.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
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 🌍
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
Reposted by Rob Thomas
I have improved the birding 'starter pack'.
For new people here looking for birding/ornithology content, this link includes ~100 active accounts and the three biggest ukbirding and ornithology feeds. 🪶🧪
go.bsky.app/QcrV7vb
For new people here looking for birding/ornithology content, this link includes ~100 active accounts and the three biggest ukbirding and ornithology feeds. 🪶🧪
go.bsky.app/QcrV7vb
November 9, 2024 at 7:25 PM
I have improved the birding 'starter pack'.
For new people here looking for birding/ornithology content, this link includes ~100 active accounts and the three biggest ukbirding and ornithology feeds. 🪶🧪
go.bsky.app/QcrV7vb
For new people here looking for birding/ornithology content, this link includes ~100 active accounts and the three biggest ukbirding and ornithology feeds. 🪶🧪
go.bsky.app/QcrV7vb