Walkhighlands self-catering advertising members, Somerset and Carolyne Charrington have been crowned Britains best wildlife farmers after a close-run public vote. The annual RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award celebrates the fantastic work farmers are already doing for wildlife, with a top prize of £1,000 for the very best. The Charringtons who run a 750ha upland livestock farm at Treshnish on the Isle of Mull have taken to heart the need to manage the land in tune with nature whilst ensuring it provides a sustainable business. Their farm lies on some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on Mull and the…

Four golden eagles, the most recorded in a single year, were amongst 29 birds illegally poisoned last year, according to the latest annual report by RSPB Scotland. The report, “The illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland in 2010”, indicates that persecution remains at high levels and continues to pose a serious risk to the long-term populations of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable birds of prey. The report also highlights the importance of dead birds found by walkers in remote areas although it is acknowledged that many suspicious bird deaths are likely to never be known about or investigated.…

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking for help from the public to help keep the beach at St Cyrus national nature reserve litter-free and safe for wildlife. Every year thousands of birds, seals, dolphins and marine mammals die by swallowing or becoming entangled in rubbish. The St Cyrus Beach Clean takes place from 11am to 2.30pm on Sunday September 18th at St Cyrus. The Beach Clean is part of the Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch, a national initiative now in its 18th year, with thousands of volunteers taking part every year. Therese Alampo, St Cyrus reserve manager, said: “Hundreds of birds…