A new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) confirms results from previous years showing that Scotland's seabird numbers are continuing to decline, although there are two species that have fared better than others. The report uses data collected by volunteers and professionals from samples of breeding colonies around Scotland. It shows that, from 1986 to 2012, the number of seabirds breeding in Scotland has dropped by 46%. The latest statistics shows that of the 11 species for which abundance could be calculated, nine have shown sustained declines since 1986. The largest declines have been for Arctic skua (80%), a decrease…

Tree lovers have tracked down some of Scotland's oldest Scots pine trees at a highland beauty spot. Volunteers from the Woodland Trust Scotland and Trees for Life have recorded more 200 ancient and veteran Scots pine trees in Glen Affric. Andrew Fairbairn from the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “Ancient trees are the natural equivalent of listed buildings so it’s vital that they are recorded for their future protection. Thanks to the fantastic support received from players of People’s Postcode Lottery we are coming close to having 1,000 pine trees recorded on the Ancient tree Hunt in Scotland.” Volunteer Jim Christie…

A different approach to tree-planting is being trialled by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). In areas with deer, it is normal for trees to be planted with fencing to protect rarer native saplings. But under a technique being trialled at Creag Meagaidh and Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserves, managed by SNH, trees will be planted without fences. Methods will be trialled to establish tree species which struggle to gain a foothold due to deer browsing. Some species have died out in areas due to the presence of deer, and are unlikely to naturally recolonise as a result of a lack of…

The John Muir Trust, which owns and manages a number of mountain landscapes in Scotland, including Ben Nevis, has launched a £500,000 appeal to buy an important ecological site in the Snowdonia National Park. The purchase of Carreg y Saeth Isaf, Lower Rock of the Arrow, would be the first property outside Scotland acquired by the Pitlochry-based wild land charity. It is within a Special Site of Scientific Interest and is part of a wider Special Area of Conservation and Biogenetic Reserve. Stuart Brooks chief executive of the John Muir Trust said: “Carreg y Saeth Isaf would be our first…

The Astronomer Royal for Scotland, the John Muir Trust and the Scottish Wild Land Group have sent an open letter to the Scottish Government asking it to update Scottish Planning Policy to prevent the construction of wind farms in Europe's only Gold Tier Dark Sky Park. Located around the Galloway Forest Park in south-west Scotland, the Park has provided a major boost to Scotland’s profile and educational and tourist resources. Following years of hard work by local communities, it now boasts the only publicly accessible, research-grade observatory within a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park in the world. This inspirational project…

The Scottish Government plans to consult on the wild land map, drawn up by SNH, which will be used to define protected areas in any future wild land policy. This move has been seen by supporters of the proposed policy as a delaying tactic that is likely to result in a reduction and dilution of the proposed protected wild land areas. Stuart Brooks, John Muir Trust chief executive said: “Responses to the Scottish Planning Policy consultation document reveal a concerted assault on the core wild land map by energy corporations and property developers. “They clearly see Scotland’s wild land as…