Author Archives: Scottish Natural Heritage

Island life – volunteering on The May

Posted on July 15, 2019

You might have noticed from Twitter that last week our Chief Exec, Francesca Osowska, was working on our Isle of May National Nature Reserve (NNR).  Her reasons for spending time on the Isle of May were twofold: to see life … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

The wild flowers of St Cyrus

Posted on July 5, 2019

Simon Ritchie has been working at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve since he was 16 – initially as a volunteer, he is currently employed as a Seasonal Reserve Officer. Here Simon talks about one of the many features that make … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Helping Orkney’s Native Wildlife Thrive

Posted on May 17, 2019

The Orkney Islands, just off the north east coast of Scotland, are home to priceless natural heritage and it’s this unique environment that the Orkney Native Wildlife Project protects. Although the combined land area of the 70 islands is less … Continue reading →

Posted in invasive non-native species, Non-native species, Orkney, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , ,

Beautiful but deadly – the plant with a dark side

Posted on May 15, 2019

Rhododendron may appear beautiful – but one type of this impressive looking plant is posing a deadly threat to Scotland’s rainforest plants and lichens. Rhododendron ponticum, a majestic shrub with its early summer explosions of bright pink blooms, is a … Continue reading →

Posted in invasive non-native species, plants, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , ,

Invasive Species Week….and Beyond

Posted on May 13, 2019

This week is national Invasive Species Week. Today’s blog, a collaboration between SNH and the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI), takes a look at invasive non-native species living on our riverbanks and lochsides, and explains the control methods used to … Continue reading →

Posted in invasive non-native species, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Wonderful woodland wanders for National Walking Month

Posted on May 8, 2019

This National Walking Month, we’re celebrating some of the amazing walking opportunities on Scotland’s great National Nature Reserves (NNRs) – here are some of our top woodland walks to get you inspired! May is one of the best times of … Continue reading →

Posted in National Nature Reserves | Tagged , , , , ,

Green Health Week gets underway

Posted on April 22, 2019

This week we’re celebrating Green Health Week! Here we take a look at what green health is, why it’s so important and what we’re doing to encourage it. Scotland’s great outdoors is outstanding and provides a wealth of amazing places … Continue reading →

Posted in green health | Tagged , , , , ,

Why does SNH issue licences?

Posted on April 15, 2019

Here we take a look at SNH’s varied – and sometimes complex – licensing work. From otters to ospreys and badgers to bats, we’re a nation of wildlife lovers, and at SNH, we feel the same. We work hard to … Continue reading →

Posted in wildlife management | Tagged , ,

SNH seabird scientist on lessons learned in Antarctica

Posted on April 4, 2019

Early this year, I travelled to Antarctica for three weeks, with 79 women from all over the world, in the culmination of a year-long women in science leadership development programme called Homeward Bound. This ground-breaking initiative aims to increase representation … Continue reading →

Posted in Marine, Uncategorized | Tagged , ,

Skate spotting and eggcase hunting

Posted on April 2, 2019

SNH skate tracking intern Rachel Mawer reflects on a recent trip to the Outer Hebrides and Shetland to raise awareness of some fascinating marine projects. Back in November, in conjunction with the Scottish Association for Marine Science, we launched the Skatespotter … Continue reading →

Posted in Marine, Marine Protected Areas | Tagged , , , , , , , ,