Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. Today we're talking about one of Scotland's most iconic groups of farmland birds – our waders.

Species such as lapwing, curlew, redshank and snipe have long been part of the Scottish farming landscape. Their calls and displays are synonymous with springtime on farms and crofts across the country, yet many of these species have experienced significant declines over recent decades.

Toby Wilson from RSPB Scotland joins us to discuss what is driving these changes, what practical management can help reverse them, and how current funding schemes can support farmers and crofters who want to make space for nature alongside productive agriculture.

Timestamps

01.17 Introducing Toby Wilson (RSPB Senior Conservation Officer)

02.43 How agricultural landscapes fit into wider wildlife conservation

04.23 The importance of farmers and crofters for delivering nature conservation outcomes

06.44 Farm Wildlife Walks

10.02 The Forth Estuary

15.18 Habitat value of coastal marshland for waders

16.55 The importance of a supporting mosaic of habitats

19.24 Wader numbers in Scotland and some of the main pressures affecting waders

25.55 Habitat connectivity specifically for waders

29.22 What gives Toby hope

33.51 Nature Scot – Nature Restoration Fund

41.50 The future for waders in Scotland

44.34 Toby’s take home messages

Resources

RSPB Scotland

Working for Waders

Making a difference for waders in the Cairngorms

Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot

New strongholds for wader recovery proposed | NatureScot

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme

Farm Wildlife Walks 2026 | Helping farmers in Scotland

toby.wilson@rspb.co.uk

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Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson are joined by SAC Consulting forestry consultant David Eadie to discuss farm woodlands, as well as bringing you the latest industry updates.

Timestamps

00:35 How are things with George & Tiffany?

02:21 Upcoming events?

04:00 Important deadlines to be aware of

06:18 The World Cup

10:23 Introduction to David Eadie

10:50 Why might a farmer consider woodlands?

12:45 Specialist advice available for woodlands

14:58 Woodland creation

15:57 Is scoring for woodland creation competitive?

17:30 What does the maintenance grant cover

20:39 What is the optimum site for planting?

22:09 Thinning & felling

24:30 Process of obtaining felling permission?

25:27 Harvesting & processing grants?

26:50 What are the signs of woodland disease?

FAS Resources

RSABI Keepie Uppy challenge https://www.rsabi.org.uk/rsabi-social-challenge-takes-off-as-excitement-builds-towards-farmer-football-tournament/

FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/

FAS Specialist advice https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/

Future Farming Investment Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/

Agri – Environment Climate Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/

Forestry Grant Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant-scheme/

Scottish Forestry https://www.forestry.gov.scot/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

In this episode Tiffany Stevenson is joined by Simon Oxley to discuss Arable innovation along with Dr Neil Havis to discuss what growers can expect to see at the upcoming SRUC Crop trial events, which take place on the 23rd & 25th June 2026.

With increasing pressure on margins, rising input costs and more challenging growing conditions, arable innovation and making the right variety and crop protection decisions has never been more important.

The upcoming crop trial events provide a valuable opportunity to see current and upcoming Winter Wheat and Spring Barley varieties performing under local conditions and hear directly from researchers, industry specialists and fellow farmers about what is looking promising for the seasons ahead.

Timestamps

0:10 Introduction to Neil & Simon

2:32 What does Innovation mean?

6:27 Where is the most potential for innovation?

10:48 How are crops looking this season?

15:14 Changes to crop varieties?

17:28 What to expect at the upcoming crop trial events?

26:14 Impact of climate change on arable production?

27:50 How can growers make the best decisions?

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot