Category Archives: St Cyrus National Nature Reserve

The wasp and the ladybird

Posted on July 15, 2020 by NatureScot

Photographer in residence at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Pauline Smith, not only takes awesome wildlife photos, she writes fascinating blog posts too! Today she looks at the intricate adaptations and evolution of mind and body-controlling parasites, through the very … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, gardens, Insects, National Nature Reserves, photography, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marvellous Mining Bees

Posted on July 7, 2020 by NatureScot

The discovery of mining bees in Simon Ritchie‘s parents’ garden inspired him to read-up on these scarce burrowing insects. There are more than 1,300 species of mining bee around the world. However, only a fraction of these species are known … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, gardens, Insects, National Nature Reserves, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why we should love dandelions!

Posted on May 11, 2020 by NatureScot

The dandelion is not much loved. But Therese Alampo, Manager of St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, is here to tell us the many reasons we should appreciate these cheery, early spring flowers… The humble dandelion is one of the first … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Flowers, gardens, National Nature Reserves, photography, plants, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Uncategorized, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toads versus frogs at St Cyrus NNR

Posted on April 6, 2020 by NatureScot

Frogs and toads clearly have a lot in common. For many, if not most of us, trying to tell the difference between the two is as confusing as being introduced to identical twins, called Anna and Hanna. But not for … Continue reading →

Posted in amphibians, biodiversity, photography, Reptiles, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The bountiful birds of St Cyrus NNR

Posted on October 14, 2019 by NatureScot

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. Simon  has previously written about his passion for the wildflowers of … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, coastal, Flowers, gulls, National Nature Reserves, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Staff profile, Uncategorized, Volunteering, wild flowers, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Find autumn gold in Scotland’s National Nature Reserves

Posted on August 29, 2019 by NatureScot

Autumn, with its depth of colour and light, is a fantastic season to get out and explore our mountains, forests and coasts, especially if you’re looking for ideas to get the kids active during the school break. Scotland’s wonderful National … Continue reading →

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, beaches, Beinn Eighe NNR, Birds, coastal, deer, Flanders Moss NNR, Glasdrum NNR, green health, Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, mushrooms, National Nature Reserves, Natural Health Service, Noss National Nature Reserve, photography, Rum NNR, Scotland's Protected Places, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Taynish NNR, The Flow Country, trees, Uncategorized, woodlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Turning the tide on marine plastic at NNRs

Posted on September 17, 2018 by NatureScot

This weekend was the Great British Beach Clean, an initiative of the Marine Conservation Society. We held clean-up events at Forvie and St Cyrus National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and encouraged members of the community to join us. Our NNR Reserve … Continue reading →

Posted in beach, beaches, coastal, Community engagement, Marine, marine pollution, sea life, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

St Cyrus’ most wild and rare

Posted on May 24, 2018 by NatureScot

Simon Ritchie is the newly appointed Seasonal Reserve Assistant based at the SNH St Cyrus National Nature Reserve (NNR), north of Montrose. Growing up in the area, Simon has developed a wealth of experience, and knowledge of the reserve. As … Continue reading →

Posted in beach, beaches, biodiversity, coastal, Flowers, Marine, National Nature Reserves, plants, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Staff profile, Uncategorized, Volunteering, wild flowers, Year of Young People, Young people | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Surfing dolphins and the scent of coconut

Posted on April 11, 2016 by NatureScot

Nature is bursting into life at St Cyrus NNR. Therese Alampo, the Reserve Manager, describes the seasonal antics of its regular inhabitants as well as those of some of its more unusual visitors. The wild weather seems to be settling … Continue reading →

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St Cyrus reflections on 2015

Posted on December 11, 2015 by NatureScot

Therese Alampo provides our guest blog today, reflecting on the sights and sounds around St Cyrus as autumn rolls into winter. What a year we have had, a huge thanks to Kim Ross our seasonal reserve assistant for all her … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Fungi, National Nature Reserves, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment