An innovative project in Renfrewshire is combating declining hen harrier numbers. Over the last three years, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been working with land managers in the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to support management of their moorland for wildlife. In all ten land managers have signed up to a management scheme, covering 8,380 hectares of moorland. Known as Renfrewshire Heights, the moorland is internationally important for breeding hen harriers and it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area. Over a number of years muirburn and high levels of grazing have caused a…

Following the decision on 14 December by Shetland Islands Councillors to recommend the Viking wind development for approval, the UK's leading wild land charity, the John Muir Trust (JMT), believes it is essential that an independent Public Local Inquiry investigates the impact of the proposed development. The Trust believes that the size and scale of the Viking development, which consists of 127 turbines reaching to 145 metres high, 104 kilometres of tracks, and associated buildings and quarries, makes it unsuitable for one of the wildest areas in the UK. Helen McDade, head of policy for the John Muir Trust, said:…

Tracking the effects of climate change and severe weather episodes on Scotland's species will be just one of the challenges ahead for 10 would-be ecological surveyors. The Scottish Wildlife Trust will soon call for applications for an exclusive training programme set to turn 10 promising environmentalists into the ecological surveyors of Scotland's future. Thanks to project funding provided under their Skills for the Future programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund is making a £398,000 investment in Scotland’s future environment which will see the Scottish Wildlife Trust provide 10 full-time 18-month training placements, including an annual bursary of £12,500, set to run…

A butterfly that is in serious decline across the UK has been found in abundance in newly discovered colonies in the Highlands, and their chances of thriving next year have been given a boost by the recent cold snap. The pearl bordered fritillary has been found at several Forestry Commission Scotland sites near Contin and Garve, just to the west of Dingwall. Discovered by Commission staff and volunteers from the Blackwater Wildlife Group, the sites had not previously been recorded by the Commission or appeared in the National Biodiversity Network records. Graeme Findlay for the Commission in North Highland said:…

Northern Constabulary are appealing for information after two buzzards were found poisoned next to a rabbit bait in a farm field near Boat of Garten next to the A95 road on 15 October this year. The birds were found by Strathspey Estate staff, who immediately alerted Police. Subsequent examination of the birds and the bait confirmed that the banned pesticide ‘carbofuran’ had been used to kill the birds. Northern Constabulary and Strathspey estate are working closely together in the investigation of this incident. A spokesman for Strathspey Estate commented: “Everyone at the estate is shocked by this discovery. Considering the…

Beavers currently loose in parts of Tayside are to be recaptured. The animals are being recaptured because it is illegal to allow their escape or release into the wild and because their welfare may be at risk. There was no consultation with local people; there was no licence issued for their release; there is no monitoring of their welfare; and there is no certainty that they are the appropriate species or type of beaver for Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) said, “There is a licensed and carefully managed trial reintroduction underway at Knapdale in Argyll. This trial is being carried…

Sea eagles had a bumper crop of chicks this year, producing more young than in any other year since they were reintroduced 35 years ago. RSPB Scotland said 46 young birds fledged which was 10 more than the previous year. The charity also reported that Scotland also has 52 adult pairs, an increase of six on 2009 figures. The birds were first reintroduced to Rum in 1975 and at other places on the west coast and have recently been reintroduced in Fife. Last year, a sea eagle was spotted over Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway after it flew down from…