I am Beccy Speight, CEO of Europe's largest nature conservation organisation, the RSPB. Ask me anything!

I've noticed so many birds of prey knocking about these past couple of years (in Ireland).

I lost count of how many buzzards I saw hanging around the motorway on a long drive last week.

We also have a resident kestrel at my workplace.

Have farmers finally stopped poisoning these birds, or is the surge in numbers due to something else?

It's great that you're seeing so many birds of prey. It means that hopefully, wherever you are, there's plenty of food for them. A resident kestrel sounds brilliant too. We have had particularly great success reintroducing species like red kite and white-tailed sea eagles back into the UK.

Unfortunately, our gamebird review that we released last year determined that there has been a spike in raptor persecution and we’re working tirelessly to tackle this issue. However I would hesitate to point the finger directly at farmers, many of whom are doing incredible things for wildlife and sustainable farming. You can find out more about our gamebird review here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/policy-insight/gamebird-review/

Thanks everyone for your questions. Apologies if I haven't been able to get to them all. Just a quick reminder that the Big Garden Birdwatch starts tomorrow. Simply count the number of birds you see in an hour and send your results back to us. This data is vital in helping us understand how our garden birds are faring: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Hi Beccy! I'm an RSPB member. What's your favourite bird?

My favourite bird is a kingfisher. They look so exotic - like a bright blue dart. And its whistle sounds like it's piping you on board ship

Hi, long term RSPB member here! What effect has the pandemic had on the UKs wildlife? For eg a drop in vehicle traffic, people being forced/encouraged to explore their own local areas more for daily exercise, areas that would usually be high in foot traffic being empty, people taking an interest in birdwatching and wilding their garden etc. (Long or short term effects.)

Hi Alancake. We've definitely seen a huge increase in the number of people who have engaged with nature during the pandemic. It's been a much needed comfort for so many of us. A million people across the UK took part in last year's Big Garden Birdwatch, which is just incredible. If we help nature, nature helps us!

Hi Beccy, I’m a life member. What’s your fave bev down the pub?

It's got to be a good old pint of IPA

Hi Beccy, what's the most unusual bird fact that you can pluck from thin air, and what's your favourite bird joke?

Can I go with 'why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side' or is that a cop out? As for my favourite bird fact - white tailed eagles are known as flying barn doors because of their enormous wing span. Amazing!

Hi Beccy! Y’all hiring?

We are indeed. Our vacancies page is here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/rspb-job-vacancies/vacancies-listing/

Hey Becky, great to have you here!

I feel that in animal conservation the importance of zoos is often underestimated. Does the RSPB currently work with zoos in or outside of britain for scientific or for conservation efforts? If so, could you link some of the projects. I'm very interested since I plan to write my M.Sc. next year primarily in animal conservation and biodiversity. Thank you in advance!

Hi Jayer244. Great question! We have on occasion partnered up with zoos for events and joint research projects. Our focus is on trying to create more spaces for nature out in the big wild world and working to ensure the survival of species. We do some brilliant work at home and abroad. Check out some of our international work here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/at-home-and-abroad/international/. Good luck with your M.Sc!

What roles have you worked in in the past that lead to you being CEO of the RSPB?

What do you see as the main challenges for the RSPB in the next few years?

What kind of music do you like to listen to? Any faves atm?

What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time when you're not busy saving the birds? 🐦😊

It's a long story. I'm not a scientist or an ecologist as you may expect. I even once worked as a management consultant! But I went to see the National Parks in the US and had a revelation that I wanted to do something that felt more meaningful to me. I worked for the National Trust and the Woodland Trust and then came to the RSPB as it felt like somewhere I could make a difference to the climate and nature crisis, which I believe is the challenge of our generation.

My music taste is very eclectic. But right now I’m listening a lot to Lost Spell Songs (a kind of folk super group inspired by a book written about nature words disappearing from the Oxford Junior Dictionary) and also Everything But The Girl are favourites from years back and Ben, who wrote and played, is a massive birder doing great things to restore Welsh Harp reservoir in London.

As for hobbies - I like walking, camping, gardening theatre, films, singing – even though I don't get enough time to do any of them!

Hi! How did you get into bird preservation as a career?

It's a long story. I'm not a scientist or an ecologist as you may expect. I even once worked as a management consultant! But I went to see the National Parks in the US and had a revelation that I wanted to do something that felt more meaningful to me. I worked for the National Trust and the Woodland Trust and then came to the RSPB as it felt like somewhere I could make a difference to the climate and nature crisis, which I believe is the challenge of our generation.

Hi Beccy! Do you have a favourite RSPB reserve you like to go to? Do you get the chance to visit them often? I have many fond memories of Leighton Moss.

I try not to have favourites, but I do love Arne as it's close to where I grew up in Dorset. It's such a patchwork of habitats - heath, woodland and brilliant views into Poole Harbour. Not to mention all the brilliant species you can see there like Dartford warblers and nightjars. Leighton Moss is fab too!

If you ruled the universe for a week, what would you do

a) for the good of the world

And

b) purely for yourself?

Assume that neither causes accidental harm :)

A) for the good of the world, I would get at least 30% of our land and seas protected and managed primarily for nature
B) For myself, I would spend a week on Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides listening to corncrakes. And then not come home!