Posts Tagged ‘NatureScot’
Peatland restoration roadshow shifts into gear
MONDAY marks the start of a peatland restoration roadshow. Peatland consultancy firm Caledonian Climate Partnership (CCP) has organised the discussions, which are touring Scotland until 23 March. The roadshow – which is supported by NatureScot and Peatland Action – is aimed at “people with an interest in land management and nature restoration, including farmers, keepers,…
Read MoreBeavers could return to Glen Affric
BEAVERS could soon return to Glen Affric in the Highlands as early as this autumn. Conservation charity Trees for Life is applying to NatureScot – the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage – for a licence to reintroduce the creatures to the glen. The application is supported by four landowners and Forestry…
Read MoreWildlife struggles as climate change bites
SCOTLAND’S wildlife is struggling to recover due to biodiversity loss and climate change, according to experts. Figures published this morning by NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, showed species are struggling to increase their numbers or to spread their locations. More than 2,800 species are stuck at 1990s’ levels, which…
Read MoreWildlife news round-up: Rewilding, capercaillie, and more
Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest wildlife news from Scotland. A MIXED picture has emerged from Scotland’s national nature reserves (NNRs) this season, with bird flu decimating great skuas – or bonxies – and gannets at Noss on Shetland, with kittiwake and Arctic terns fairing better. Terns of all varieties – Arctic, common, little, and sandwich…
Read MoreGaelic specialist celebrates winter solstice
A GAELIC specialist is helping NatureScot to mark today’s winter solstice. The Scottish Government agency, known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, asked broadcaster, storyteller, and writer Ruairidh Maclean to compile a Gaelic compendium that “celebrates the nature, land, and heritage of Scotland in the winter”. Maclean said: “As keepers of a unique language and culture,…
Read MoreFossils hunters have their say on Scottish Fossil Code
SCOTLAND’S fossil hunters are having their say on the revised Scottish Fossil Code. NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, published the code in 2008. It’s now being revised, with the next version due to be issued early next year. Katherine Leys, NatureScot’s head of biodiversity and geodiversity, said: “Fossil collecting…
Read More‘End is nigh’ again for capercaillie, warn experts
THE capercaillie could become extinct in Scotland for a second time unless its predators are controlled, according to conservationists. This year’s brood survey by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) found only 300 to 400 birds now live in Scotland, with 90% confined to part of Strathspey. That number has fallen from around 2,200…
Read MoreForaging Fortnight begins on Saturday
SCOTLAND’S Foraging Fortnight begins on Saturday, with events taking place throughout the country. Talks, workshops, and walks have been organised as part of the Orkney International Science Festival, which also begins on Saturday. The Scottish Wild Food Festival is also taking place at Tir na nOg, near Drymen, on 17 and 18 September. The Foraging…
Read MoreRestoring Cairngorms forests – one burger at a time
VENISON from red deer shot in the Cairngorms is being sold to fund tree planting. Deer are culled in the Cairngorms National Park to stop them from eating the growing tips off tree saplings. The venison has gone on sale in the shop at the RSPB’s Loch Garten nature reserve. Previously, Lynbreck Croft – which…
Read MoreBeavers bid by Glen Affric
LANDOWNERS in Glen Affric hope to reintroduce beavers to the Highlands. Four estates and government agency Forestry & Land Scotland have launched a joint consultation on the plans, coordinated by conservation charity Trees for Life. Beavers are already found at the Aigas field centre near Beauly and at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig. Reintroducing…
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