Wildlife & Conservation
Spot the smaller things in nature this summer
Travel writer Phoebe Smith and binocular maker Swarovski offer tips to help countryside explorers slow down this summer and notice the little things in nature. 1. Look for nature’s clues Sometimes, when we take a walk, we can get so fixated on where we are headed to that we forget to take the time to…
Read MoreFrom the seabed to your sofa…
ARMCHAIR explorers can learn how to survey the sea and shoreline thanks to online training launched by conservation agency Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The training accompanies the Community-led Marine Biodiversity Handbook, Scotland’s first “how to” guide for planning and carrying out surveys and monitoring. Participants will learn about habitats and species and how to improve their…
Read MoreArtist supports golden eagle project
PRINTMAKER Lisa Hooper has won a competition to create a print that will promote the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. The Wigtownshire-based artist’s design will be used on a poster and information leaflets. Hooper said: “I don’t normally do commissioned work, but this brief really grabbed me because of the subject matter and the…
Read MoreSuccess for birdwatchers’ mobile app
Just a year after its launch, more than 10,000 users have downloaded the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club’s free mobile app, Where to Watch Birds in Scotland.
Read MorePoint of no return?
A recent study of 121 black grouse leks (breeding sites) by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust has shone a light on the parlous state of numbers in Scotland. The black grouse population has now declined to the point where the species is a high conservation concern and action is needed to halt their decline.…
Read MoreThe Big Farmland Bird Count
Sixty Scottish farmers took part in this year’s Big Farmland Bird Count, which saw more than 1,500 farmers across Britain overcame challenging February conditions to make the annual count of birds the biggest since it was launched by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust in 2014. More than 120 bird species were recorded across 1.4…
Read MoreWhy the mink must be exterminated
Mink are not cute and they’re not cuddly – this is one alien invader our indigenous wildlife could happily live without. At the time of Neanderthal man, animal skins were worn as a necessity against the elements. Indeed, without them life would have been well nigh impossible. These days, attitudes towards wearing fur clothing change…
Read MoreOur guide to Scottish wildlife spots continues
Scottish Field’s guide to the best places to enjoy the best of the country’s wildlife continues. We bring you 10 more places to go and see some of the fantastic creatures we have – at land, at sea and in the air – and where we recommend to see them. Click to read PART ONE…
Read MoreHave your say and pick Scotland’s Tree of the Year
Six trees are in the running for Scotland’s Tree of the Year. Organised by the Woodland Trust, they are looking for people’s favourite wooden growth in Scotland. The contenders are: The Cadzow Oak, Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton This is one of 300 very ancient oaks growing on what were the hunting grounds of the Duke…
Read MoreThey are helping Scotland’s wildlife to a full recovery
Caring for Scotland’s wildlife is back in focus next week. This new documentary series takes a look inside the Scottish SPCA’s wildlife rescue centre. The sixth episode is due to be shown next Monday, 8 April, There’s excitement in the bird centre as a juvenile raven comes in with a broken wing – the combined…
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