Birdwatchers will take flight to Elgin next month

Birdwatchers are set to flock to Elgin for an annual conference in March. Each spring, the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) and the British Trust for Ornithology BTO) organise a one-day conference, attracting over 200 bird enthusiasts from around the country. This year, the event it is being hosted by the Moray branch of the SOC…

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Harsh winters have hit Scotland’s woodland birds

Harsh winter weather is thought to be a factor in a short-term decline in woodland birds between 2017 and 2018. Official statistics published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) track the abundance of Scotland’s terrestrial breeding birds using results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey. The latest figures show that while farmland and upland birds remained…

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There’s more to the cuckoo than its famous call

Towards the end of April every year, I, like millions of other country people, have my ears cocked listening out for spring’s first cuckoo. It is one of nature’s finest sounds and never fails to send a frisson of excitement through me. But in recent years it has become more difficult to witness that celebrated…

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Final stands available for the Edinburgh Art Fair

More than 60 national and international galleries will be selling the work of over 500 artists from all four corners of the globe at Scotland’s premier art fair. The Edinburgh Art Fair is now in its 14th year and has firmly established itself as the largest event of its kind in the UK outside of…

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Concern as butterfly numbers drop in survey

Two declining butterflies suffered their worst year on record in 2017 after hopes of a butterfly revival were dashed by a chilly snap in spring and a gloomy, wet summer, a study has revealed. Grayling and Grizzled Skipper recorded their lowest numbers since records began as difficult weather conditions caused problems for some of the…

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Art fair ready for its 13th run in the capital

This year’s prestigious Edinburgh Art Fair is preparing for its 13th run. Running from Friday November 17 – Sunday 19 at Edinburgh Corn Exchange, the annual fFair will be opened by renowned crime writer Ian Rankin at the exclusive preview evening on Thursday, November 16. Having established itself as Scotland’s premier art fair, the event…

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