Category Archives: survey

A blizzard of butterflies – “an incredible day” counting northern brown argus

The northern brown argus, at this time of year, is in its twilight months as a hungry caterpillar. The larvae will begin to pupate in May and emerge as butterflies to brighten up small patches of the Scottish countryside through … Continue reading

Posted in citizen science, coastal, Insects, Moths and butterflies, survey, Uncategorized, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moths on the move

Mike Thornton, SNH Operations Officer for the Forth Area, describes how integral moths are to Scotland’s biodiversity, and why it’s crucial to know how their populations are changing. I lift the egg cartons out of the moth trap, slowly revealing … Continue reading

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, biodiversity, citizen science, climate change, conservation, Ecology, moth, science, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, survey, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remarkable achievements at Ben and Glen Nevis

Over the last five years, the Nevis Landscape Partnership has achieved what it says on the side of its bus – carried out a programme of 19 projects, with tremendous volunteer support. This £3.4 million scheme has had a tangible … Continue reading

Posted in Access, citizen science, Community engagement, conservation, Diversity, Ecology, Flowers, Lichens, mosses, paths, plants, Projects, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, survey, Trail, Uncategorized, Visitor centre, Volunteering, wild flowers, wild land | 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

Stormie nights on Fair Isle

Fair Isle sits at the southernmost point of Shetland and its name derives from the Old Norse name Friðarey, meaning ‘island of peace’. Fair Isle is famous for its knitwear, historic shipwrecks and its diverse bird life, so what better … Continue reading

Posted in Birds, coastal, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Non-native species, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, seals, Shetland, SNH, survey, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monitoring the condition of our Marine Protected Areas

Almost 90 years after St Kilda’s last 36 residents were evacuated to the mainland, the islands remain hugely important for the wildlife they support.   The World Heritage Site hosts huge seabird populations, including the world’s second largest colony of North … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, Birds, conservation, cowries, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, photography, Priority Marine Features, Protected Areas, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, SNH, survey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New leadership’s first annual report sees year of successes and looks to the future

2017/18 was a year of change for SNH.  We welcomed a new Chair and a new CEO; and we refreshed our Corporate Plan, with an eye to the future and a stronger focus on the benefits that connecting people and … Continue reading

Posted in 25 years of SNH, active travel, biodiversity, climate change, coastal, Community engagement, conservation, deer, Green infrastructure, Habitat Map of Scotland, Land management, long distance routes, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, National Nature Reserves, National Walking and Cycling Network, Natural Capital, Outdoor learning, peatland restoration, Planning, Renewable Energy, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, survey, sustainable farming, sustainable travel, Uncategorized, Volunteering, website, wildlife management | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Orcas, Warships and Seasearch

Today we have a further insight into the contribution volunteer citizen scientists make to marine conservation in Scotland. Our guest post today comes from Natalie Hirst, a coordinator for Seasearch Scotland. Seasearch is a project for volunteer sports divers who have … Continue reading

Posted in citizen science, coastal, Community engagement, conservation, mapping, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Priority Marine Features, sea life, SNH, survey, Uncategorized, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Great skua behaviour and Fair Isle’s lifeline

Fair Isle is Britain’s most remote inhabited island, 38 km from the next nearest island and 125 km from the northernmost tip of the UK mainland. A boat runs from the island but most visitors and most of the 60 … Continue reading

Posted in Access, biodiversity, Birds, coastal, conservation, graduate placement, gulls, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Protected Areas, SNH, survey, sustainable travel, Uncategorized, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment