Author Archives: NatureScot

The Herald of Winter – and other November fungi

Posted on November 13, 2020 by NatureScot

As the trees turn bare and opportunities for momijigari diminish – a Japanese word for admiring the colours of autumn leaves – lower your eyes when out on your woodland walks and you’ll find that there are still a good … Continue reading →

Posted in foraging, Fungi, mushrooms, Uncategorized, woodlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mentoring the next generation of conservationists

Posted on November 11, 2020 by NatureScot

In February 2020, Murray Borthwick was staring down a telescope at Morton Lochs, undertaking fieldwork for his honours thesis and simultaneously realising that studying birds was what he wanted to do for a living. Fast forward to the summer and … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, conservation, NatureScot, SNH, Young people | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sharing our views: the Scottish Beaver Forum

Posted on November 2, 2020 by NatureScot

Today’s blog is written by the Chair of the Scottish Beaver Forum and NatureScot’s Tayside & Grampian Area Manager, Denise Reed. In Scotland, beavers became a European Protected Species in May 2019. Their numbers have expanded across Tayside and beyond … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, conservation, mammals, Rewilding | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dis-guising water beasts!

Posted on October 30, 2020 by NatureScot

Preparing a spooky disguise this Halloween? Did you know that, in our celebrated rivers and lochs, there are many animals that also like to use camouflage at this time of year? Some are even quite gruesome! Find out more about … Continue reading →

Posted in Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#YCW2020 A Day in the Life – Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) Project Officer James Symonds

Posted on October 29, 2020 by NatureScot

During the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, we’ve been joining NatureScot staff and partners working along our shorelines and watery places to gain an insight into the important and varied work they do. This month we hear from SISI … Continue reading →

Posted in invasive non-native species | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Autumn waterfalls to take your breath away!

Posted on October 27, 2020 by NatureScot

Autumn, with more frequent rainfall, is often a stunning time for waterfalls, with the the glorious colour of the foliage adding even more drama. In this week’s pictorial blog, we’re featuring our photographer, Lorne’s, favourite waterfalls from this spectacular time … Continue reading →

Posted in autumn, biodiversity, NatureScot | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The salmon run: an autumn ending to a long journey

Posted on October 23, 2020 by NatureScot

Each year, Atlantic salmon make an incredible journey back from the ocean to return to their breeding grounds. To get there, this mighty fish propels itself, like a dart, up and over the fast-flowing waters of some of our finest … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Ecology, Marine, NatureScot, Year of Coasts and Waters, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Ceòl a bu Bhinne Chualas / The Sweetest Music Ever Heard

Posted on October 20, 2020 by NatureScot

Sgrìobh an sàr-bhàrd Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir mu a ghràdh do nàdar. ’S dòcha gu bheil a bhàrdachd fhèin a cheart cho airidh air moladh ’s a tha òran nan cearcan monaidh … The master wordsmith Duncan Bàn MacIntyre … Continue reading →

Posted in Gaelic, History, Nature in art, poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spectacular autumn in Scotland

Posted on October 16, 2020 by NatureScot

Today we’re highlighting some of amazing wildlife spectacles you can see in Scotland in autumn, including the fierce deer rut, thousands of migrating geese and much more. Of course, many of us aren’t able to get out and about to … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Birds, deer, mushrooms, National Nature Reserves | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A quest to learn more about humpback whales in Scotland

Posted on October 9, 2020 by NatureScot

As part of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, Ron Macdonald, chair of the North East Biological Records Centre and an avid humpback whale watcher, introduces a blog by Lyndsay Macneill, a talented and enthusiastic citizen scientist who discovered a love of whales … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, citizen science, Year of Coasts and Waters, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment