Posts Tagged ‘conservation’
The story of the bridge between Scotland and England
A special online talk is being held next week to discuss the Welsh connection between the bridge linking Scotland and England. Engineering expert Stephen K. Jones will give an online talk about the Union Chain Bridge on Tuesday 23 February, focussing on its iron work and the innovative foundries in Wales that supplied it. This…
Read MoreRed squirrels put on a diet to help them survive
A Scottish council’s ranger service is putting red squirrels in the area on an diet. Aberdeen City Council’s countryside service ranger service is teaming up with Carnie Woods Community Group and the Scottish Wildlife Trust on a diet plan for the woods’ red squirrel population and other wildlife in the area. The plan follows discussions…
Read MoreFormer RSPB boss lands at seabird centre
THE Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick has named Stuart Housden as the next chair of its board of trustees. Housden is a former director of fellow bird charity RSPB Scotland. He succeeds David Windmill, who has served as chair at the seabird centre for the past eight years. Susan Davies, the centre’s chief executive,…
Read MoreHistoric farm gets new lease of life
A TECHNOLOGY entrepreneur has unveiled plans to turn a historic farm in East Lothian into a museum. George Mackintosh bought Papple Steading in 2017 before adding the farmhouse and adjoining Papple and Papana Woods. Papple Steading was part of the Whittingehame Estate – owned by Arthur Balfour, who served as prime minister between 1902 and…
Read MoreScottish rowan up for European tree award
A ROWAN tree near Moffat will represent Great Britain in a European contest. The Woodland Trust has chosen “The Survivor” at Carrifran to represent Great Britain in the “European Tree of the Year” competition. The public selected “The Survivor” as Scotland’s “Tree of the Year” back in October. It has now beaten off competition from…
Read MorePollution from pandemic on Scottish beaches
FACE masks and gloves were found on almost a quarter of Scotland’s beaches during recent litter picks. More than two thirds of inland litter picks found personal protective equipment (PPE), according to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). The charity said 400 volunteers headed to nearly 100 Scottish beaches to clear and survey litter during the…
Read MoreBotanics invites heroes to lights show
HEROES from the emergency services are being invited to the opening of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Christmas lights display. Some 200 “Blue Light” card holders will be asked to come along to the launch of the trail, which will be open for 32 nights. Regius Keeper Simon Milne said: “The opening of Christmas at…
Read MoreMore wildlife spotted on Invercauld Estate
GAMEKEEPERS at Invercauld Estate on Royal Deeside have spotted more nesting birds from a wider range of species during their latest wildlife surveys. In total, 1,117 breeding pairs of endangered birds were identified during the three-month study, up 16% on last year’s results. Thirty-seven species were recorded nesting on the estate, including curlew, dotterel, and…
Read MoreTrust launches footpath etiquette guide
THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has introduced a footpath etiquette guide to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus without eroding the edges of tracks. The conservation charity has also launched a footpath fund to raise money for repairs. More than 250 miles of paths in upland areas are maintained by the NTS.…
Read MoreSatellite tags reveal tiny Shetland birds’ journeys
BRITAIN’S smallest seabird spends more time around the coast of Shetland than was previously known, according to new research. Satellite tags were attached to storm petrels on the island of Mousa to study their flights between 2014 and 2017. Each bird weighs between 25 and 30 grams – the equivalent of three pound coins. They…
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