Category Archives: Research

‘The Life Story of the Adder’ through the Hebridean eyes of the ‘Adder King’

Roddy Maclean ‘reviews’ the remarkable 1924 publication by Lewisman Norman Morrison – in his day the foremost authority on adders. Continue reading

Posted in Folklore, Gaelic, NatureScot, Reptiles, Research | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Beatha na Nathrach-nimhe’ tro shùilean Gàidhealach ‘Rìgh nan Nathraichean’

Tha Ruairidh MacIlleathain a’ dèanamh ‘lèirmheas’ air leabhar iongantach le Tormod an t-Seòladair à Siabost, a bha na latha na phrìomh eòlaiche air an nathair-nimhe. Continue reading

Posted in Folklore, Gaelic, NatureScot, Reptiles, Research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Natural born killers – biocontrol of invasive non-native plants in Scotland

Biological control is the use of living organisms to help control pest populations. In this post Marion Seier, Senior Plant Pathologist at CABI (Centre for Agriculture & Bioscience International), describes the work being carried out by CABI’s Invasive Species group … Continue reading

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Outdoor learning and a life caring for the natural world.

Chris Mackie is a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport.  His research – the first to be funded through Scottish Natural Heritage’s Magnus Magnusson studentship – asks whether outdoor learning can foster … Continue reading

Posted in conservation, Natural Health Service, Outdoor learning, Research, science, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, urban nature, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forvie NNR – the first 60 years

Forvie has long been a special place. Back when people started to settle near the mouth of the river Ythan at the end of the ice age, it was a place rich in wildlife – or food as it would … Continue reading

Posted in coastal, conservation, Forvie NNR, National Nature Reserves, Outdoor learning, Research, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ardnamurchan’s unique day-flying moth

Each year in early summer, volunteers from various parts of Scotland travel west to survey a rare, striking and elusive day-flying moth – the New Forest burnet, at the only site it occurs in the UK.  Since becoming extinct in … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, citizen science, climate change, conservation, Ecology, Flowers, Insects, Land management, moth, Projects, Protected Areas, Research, Scotland's Protected Places, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Species Action Framework, SSSI, Uncategorized, wildlife management, woodlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sea-searchers recognised for 31-year contribution to marine conservation.

SNH has supported Seasearch in Scotland for many years now. The skills and enthusiasm of their union of marine life investigators has in turn supported our own research. Some of our marine team are Seasearch volunteers in their free time. … Continue reading

Posted in Awards, biodiversity, citizen science, coastal, Community engagement, conservation, mapping, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Priority Marine Features, Research, sea life, SNH, survey, Uncategorized, Volunteering, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Building with Nature – Greener Social Housing by Design

Scotland’s urban green spaces provide many benefits for people and nature – from opportunities to exercise; spaces to grow food; refuges for wildlife; and valuable services, such as managing flood water and mitigating the effects of air and noise pollution. … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, climate change, Community engagement, Flood management, Flooding, Flowers, gardens, green health, Green infrastructure, Natural Health Service, Planning, Projects, Research, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Sustainable Drainage Systems, Uncategorized, urban nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tree Coring: What it is and why we do it

We’ve published a new report about tree coring, called A review of the theory and practice of tree coring on live ancient and veteran trees. Here, our Woodlands Policy & Advice Officer Kate Holl tells us more about tree coring … Continue reading

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Surveying Scotland’s marine mammals: life as an ORCA surveyor

On 11-12 June, SNH Marine Operations Officer Dr. Jane Dodd began her Team Leader training while taking part in her 3rd ORCA survey on Caledonian MacBrayne ferries out of Oban. Here, she shares her experience as an Onboard ORCA Marine … Continue reading

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