Extra National Park Rangers and an increased police presence are now in place in a bid to step up conservation of threatened capercaillie on the islands of Loch Lomond. The birds are vulnerable to disturbance from people and dogs. That can be particularly apparent where capercaillie use habitat in heavily visited parts of the countryside. One area affected at busy times is the Loch Lomond islands, which will now see new signs strategically placed to educate people about capercaillie. It is hoped this will avoid further disturbance issues at five islands within Loch Lomond. Visitors enjoying the stunning scenery will…

An agreement paving the way for more collaborative work between conservation and game interests is welcomed by Scotland’s Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson at the Scottish Game Fair at Scone last Friday. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) have agreed that both organisations will promote integrated and balanced land management through farming, sporting, fisheries and forestry to benefit Scotland’s economy, wildlife and habitats. A key aim is to address nature conservation issues in the wider countryside, as well as protected areas, by promoting suitable management activities. Minister for Environment and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson said:…

At the same moment it was announced that some of the next Batman movie will be filmed in the Highlands, a full survey of bats and their habitats at Scotland’s only bat reserve is underway. The survey, which started on Friday 24 June and runs until Friday I July, is the first to take place at the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave estate in Dumfries and Galloway since it became the nation’s first ever dedicated bat reserve last summer. A group of Thistle Campers (working holidaymakers) are onsite at Threave this week, assisting with the work. Opened with generous support…

16 baby sea eagles flew into Edinburgh Airport last week from Norway and have been sent to a secret location in Fife over the weekend as part of the re-introduction programme in east Scotland. The East Scotland project is being run jointly by RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland. Last year, 19 white-tailed sea eagles were released into the wild in Fife. The latest batch of arrivals were welcomed at Edinburgh Airport by Norwegian Consul Mona Rohne and Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson. Mr Stevenson said: “The reintroduction project has been a long haul but the care and…