A new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) confirms results from previous years showing that Scotland's seabird numbers have continued to decline, although there are some species that have fared better than others. The report uses data collected by volunteers and professionals from a sample of breeding colonies around Scotland. It shows that, from 1986 to 2011, the numbers of seabirds breeding in Scotland has dropped by around 53%. Of the 11 species reviewed over the 25-year period, the numbers of nine decreased. The largest declines were for the Arctic skua (74%), Arctic tern (72%) and black-legged kittiwake (66%). Two…

A John Muir Trust/YouGov poll shows that 43% of UK citizens, including 36% of Scots, are less likely to visit a scenic area with lots of wind turbines. This comes after First Minister Alex Salmond recently claimed that wind farms do not negatively impact Scotland’s scenery and that they actually enhance the appeal of Scotland as a country. However, just 2% agree with him and say they are more likely to visit to an area of natural beauty with large numbers of turbines. The JMT results show a widespread demand (40% in the UK and 37% in Scotland) for government…

Green energy companies gathering for a major exhibition and conference in Glasgow are being asked for their support in protecting Scotland's mountains. In the absence of political leadership from Scottish Ministers, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is calling for energy companies that care about the environment to collaborate on plans to protect the most sensitive and precious mountain areas from unsuitable wind farm developments. Letters have gone out to many companies attending RenewableUK 2012 (at the SECC from 30 October to 1 November), inviting them to discuss how to harmonise clean energy production with the preservation of Scotland’s natural…

Another baby beaver has been successfully born at the Scottish Beaver Trial site in Kapdale, Argyll. Trial field staff made the welcome discovery after reviewing camera footage from the site and spotted the first time parents, Trude and Eoghann, emerge from their lodge with their new born youngster following closely behind. The kit was first spotted at the end of September and the youngster, who has been identified as a little female has just received her first health check from the trial team. In August, three beaver kits were spotted. They came from the pair living on the Dubh Loch,…

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a golden eagle was found close to death having been shot. The bird was found next to the Southern Upland Way by a member of the public on Saturday (6 October). The golden eagle is now receiving veterinary treatment and specialist care at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre. Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “This eagle has been caused tremendous pain and suffering. “It became grounded after being shot, which caused the feathers on its tail and wings to break and meant it was unable to search for food. “If the eagle hadn’t…

A new report commissioned jointly by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the Cairngorms National Park and Scottish Natural Heritage reveals widespread public appreciation of wild land in Scotland, and deep concern that it may be under threat. The report, Public Perception Survey of Wildness in Scotland, measures how much people: Use the outdoors, perceive the idea of wildness, and value wild areas. The results show that: 81 per cent visit the outdoors at least every few months 72 per cent consider it ‘very important’ that Scotland has wild areas 60 per cent feel that wild areas in Scotland…

A range of national actions to save the Scottish wildcat look set to be agreed over the next six months. The move follows the first-ever meeting of a diverse group of land management, research and conservation organisations at Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) Battleby conference centre, near Perth, on Friday 14 September. The Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Group includes representatives from SNH (chair); Forestry Commission Scotland; Cairngorms National Park Authority; Scottish Wildcat Association; Royal Zoological Society of Scotland; Scottish Gamekeepers Association; National Museum of Scotland; University of Oxford, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit; Highland Foundation for Wildlife, and the National Trust for…