Wildlife & Conservation
Search for Scotland’s lost ice age pinewoods begins
They are home to wild Scots pines with an ancestry that can be traced back to the end of the last ice age. But now a project to find Scotland’s ‘lost’ native pinewood has been launched so they can be saved and restored before it’s too late. Caledonian pinewoods are globally unique and support rare…
Read MoreScotland’s chough population could be lost forever experts warn
The red-billed chough is clinging on in its last Scottish stronghold on the islands of Islay and Colonsay, with barely 50 pairs remaining. And now experts have warned Scotland’s critically endangered population of chough could become extinct within decades. Chough are doing relatively well in the UK and Ireland, although it noted some concerns about…
Read MoreWatch: Crown actors Dominic West and Jim Murray explore salmon fishing on the River Deveron
Watch as The Crown actors Dominic West and Jim Murray discover what is being done to help wild Atlantic salmon numbers in the River Deveron. They are an indicator for the health of our rivers, coastal environment and seas. But iconic wild Atlantic salmon numbers are in crisis having suffered a decline of 70% across…
Read MoreBear that survived war in Ukraine arrives in Scotland to start new life
He survived the war and was saved from an abandoned zoo in Ukraine, and now Yampil – an Asiatic Black Bear – has arrived at his new home in Scotland. When Ukrainian soldiers entered the village of Yampil, after five months of Russian occupation, they discovered an abandoned zoo on the outskirts. Out of nearly…
Read MoreRum welcomes two rare Highland pony foals
Rum National Nature Reserve has welcomed some new residents with the arrival of two rare Highland pony foals. The foals, named Fhuarain and Shellesder, are settling in well to their island home where NatureScot maintains a herd of around 20 ponies. The translation of the Gaelic Fhuarain means spring or burn, while Shellesder means Iris.…
Read MoreVisitors to Balmoral Estate now able to see rare Capercaillie mating ritual
The elusive mating ritual of one of our most endangered birds can now be seen without any risk of disturbance thanks to a new visitor attraction on Balmoral Estate. The capercaillie lek is one of nature’s wonders, where the turkey-sized males square up to each other to prove to a hen that they are a…
Read MoreExtremely rare moss rediscovered near Edinburgh
An extremely rare moss has been rediscovered near Edinburgh, having not been found anywhere else in the UK since 1987. Round-leaved bryum has been found at Threipmuir Reservoir near Balerno, Edinburgh, thanks to a collaboration between NatureScot and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Scientists have been rewarded after a 13-year wait to see one of Scotland’s…
Read MoreVisitors to Balmoral Estate now able to see rare Capercaillie mating ritual
The elusive mating ritual of one of our most endangered birds can now be seen without any risk of disturbance thanks to a new visitor attraction on Balmoral Estate. The capercaillie lek is one of nature’s wonders, where the turkey-sized males square up to each other to prove to a hen that they are a…
Read MoreExtremely rare moss rediscovered near Edinburgh
An extremely rare moss has been rediscovered near Edinburgh, having not been found anywhere else in the UK since 1987. Round-leaved bryum has been found at Threipmuir Reservoir near Balerno, Edinburgh, thanks to a collaboration between NatureScot and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Scientists have been rewarded after a 13-year wait to see one of Scotland’s…
Read MoreBeavers to be released at UK’s biggest national park
Beavers are set to be released at sites in the UK’s biggest national park. NatureScot has approved a licence application for six beaver families to be released in the Cairngorms National Park. Sites in the upper River Spey catchment have been selected for beavers despite some farmers raising concerns about the beavers damaging crops. NatureScot…
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