Nature detectives are invited to try and spot dragonflies as well as other wildlife, with a bit of expert help, on a guided walk searching for wildlife clues at Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve on Sunday 3 July. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) reserve staff will help people on the walk spot a variety of birds, dragonflies and other insects and plants, as well as touching on the cultural history of the Endrick Mouth area. Tim Jacobs, SNH’s Loch Lomond reserve manager, said: “We hope that people will join us for this fun look at the reserve. This is an opportunity…

A National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Country Park ranger has been involved in identifying and looking after a rare vagrant parti-coloured bat that was found grounded on the Isle of Arran earlier this year. Ranger Corinna Goeckeritz received a phone call from a family in Kildonan, a few months back. Nine-year old Victoria Mowatt, who is a member of the local National Trust for Scotland Young Naturalists’ Club and attends Whiting Bay Primary School, found that bat on the ground. Victoria looked closely and established the bat was still alive, although obviously in trouble. With the help of her family,…

An urgent international call for action on peatland protection and restoration has been made following the release of findings at a landmark peatlands conference. Delegates heard that a loss of only 5% of the carbon stored in UK peatlands would equate to the total annual UK greenhouse gas emissions. The conference, Investing in Peatlands: Delivering Multiple Benefits, has been organised by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) UK Peatland Programme in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The event has drawn together a wide range of scientists, experts and land managers from across…

The cost of a controversial power line from Beauly to Denny has almost doubled. The total cost of the controversial scheme, which will see 600 giant pylons erected along most of the 137 mile route, is now expected to be £600 million, almost double that of the estimated price of £331m. The power line is being constructed by Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power and consumers will pay for the increased cost. The BBC reports that the regulator Ofgem estimated it would add up to 10p to electricity bills for each UK household a year.

An RSPB study has shown that the Isle of Mull benefits by 5 million pounds a year from the re-introduction of the white-tailed eagle, or sea eagle. 1,200 visitors to the island were suveyed in 2010 and the findings suggest that tourism generated by the birds supports the equivalent of 110 full-time jobs. Almost a quarter of visitors said the eagles were an important factor in them choosing Mull as a destination. The results come at a time when crofting and farming communities have the chance to help sea eagles and their local communities by applying to join a new…

An area of the north west Highlands is the focus of what has been described as Scotland’s largest habitat conservation project. Landscape charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) is working with several landowners to protect and restore habitat across 172,973 acres (70,000 hectares). The project covers the Coigach and Assynt area north of Ullapool and wildcats, golden eagles, freshwater pearl mussels and the Scottish wood ant are some of the species that could benefit. The Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape is a partnership project between the John Muir Trust, Assynt Foundation, Culag Community Woodland Trust, Eisg Brachaid Estate, Tanera Mòr…

Experts from Forestry Commission Scotland are allaying public fears over the ‘browning’ of many trees on the west coast of Scotland. Although the trees may look unhealthy, it is hoped that most will recover over time. Experts are citing the exceptionally strong winds and salt laden sea air of 23 May as the cause for scorching the trees and turning them brown. Many broadleaved trees and larches have been affected and, to a lesser extent, pine and other conifers. The main geographical area affected appears to stretch from Dumfries and Galloway north to Fort Wiliam on the western seaboard. Hugh…

The Ski Club of Great Britain’s annual resort clear up, the Big Spring Clean, returns to Scottish ski resorts for a fourth year on Sunday 12 June. This year volunteers will not only be tackling the damaging litter left on the slopes by mountains users at CairnGorm Mountain and the Nevis Range but also, new for 2011, at Glenshee. Last year 122 helpers turned out to gather up litter at CairnGorm and the Nevis Range with a total of 60 bags of rubbish collected. The Ski Club works with the resorts to ensure volunteers cover areas most frequented by winter…