A pair of ospreys who have chosen to nest at a site of national importance for its wildlife and habitats are being monitored to see if they can successfully breed and rear young. The ospreys migrated to Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve (NNR) near Golspie, Sutherland, last year, but failed to produce offspring. A reason for that failure is believed to have been their choice of a nest close to a well-used path on the reserve. This year the ospreys have migrated from west Africa to try again and staff from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and local ornithologist Kenny Graham…

Next week, 21 to 29 May 2011, is Scottish Biodiversity Week with a wide range of public events being held across the country. The week is being managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) although most events are being run by local community groups and other organisations. Among the events on offer are: – Countryside ranger led pond dipping events for little children – Guided walks at National Nature Reserves – Story telling events – Seashore safaris – Expert talks on nature – Nature photography workshops To search the database of events have a look at the SNH website.

Walker and blogger Alan Sloman has announced the date for his “Wake for the Wild” protest about what he sees as the death of Scotland’s wild places. On Tuesday 17 May Alan and friends intend to carry a coffin into the Monadhliath hills as a symbol of what he says is the ongoing destruction of Scotland’s wild land by developments including wind farms. Further details of the Wake for the Wild can be found here on Alan’s blog.

Convener of Ramblers Scotland, Dennis Canavan, has called for the next Scottish Government to carry out a fundamental review of the role of windfarm development in future energy strategies. The call comes after it was revealed that windfarm operators in Scotland are being paid to switch off their turbines because the national grid cannot cope with the excess energy being produced. Six windfarm operators have received payments of £900,000 for stopping their turbines for several hours on 5 and 6 April, including £300,000 paid to the operators of the Whitelees windfarm in East Renfrewshire. Dennis Canavan said: “The windfarm gravy…

Visitors and locals in the Highlands are being offered the chance to see the courtship display of black grouse once again. Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, sited part way between Laggan and Spean Bridge, ran a similar event last year which proved so popular that this time it is planned to hold two guided black grouse watches on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May. The displays called ‘leks’ take place in the spring as male black grouse compete to attract females. With the striking black and white plumage of the birds, and their strange bubbling calls, the show is…