A pioneering approach to bat conservation begins in Scotland today, as the National Trust for Scotland launches the nation’s first ever dedicated bat reserve at Threave Estate in Dumfries and Galloway. The conservation charity says that is hopes the reserve, which is generously supported by Scottish Natural Heritage, will become a centre of learning and research for the flying mammals and increase public awareness of how to live in harmony with these nocturnal animals. Both bats and their roosts are protected by law in the UK. Over the past century, their populations have suffered serious decline. Now there are signs…

The first beaver kits to be born in the wild as part of the Scottish Beaver Trial have now been spotted in Knapdale Forest, Mid-Argyll, Scottish Beaver Trial staff announced today (Friday 13 August). As part of the partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which achieved conservation history last May by launching the first formal trial reintroduction of a mammal back to the UK, the newborn beavers (known as kits) are estimated to be eight weeks old and their sighting marks a positive achievement in the progress of this landmark project. Christian…

The departure of the UK’s oldest breeding osprey, known as ‘Lady’, from its annual breeding ground at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre has sparked a flood of goodbyes and well wishes from around the globe as concerns now mount that this could be the last time the famous bird is seen in the UK. Over 2,000 wildlife enthusiasts watched live online yesterday (5 August 2010) as the bird failed to return to its nest, indicating that it had taken to the skies to begin its annual 3,000 migration to West Africa. Experts…