Category Archives: Uncategorized

Island life – volunteering on The May

Posted on July 15, 2019 by

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 by

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

A’ Mhuc Bheag Reamhar a Bhios a’ Puthadaich / The Little Fat Puffing ‘Pig’

Posted on June 24, 2019 by

Tha grunn fhaclan Gàidhlig airson ‘porpoise’; thàinig am fear as cumanta on Albais / There are many Gaelic names for the common or harbour porpoise; the most common came into the language from Scots A’ Mhuc Bheag Reamhar a Bhios … Continue reading →

Posted in Gaelic, Uncategorized

Why we welcome beavers – but also need to support farmers

Posted on May 31, 2019 by

It has been one month since beavers were added to the list of European Protected Species of Animals and protected under Scottish law. We look at the benefits beavers can bring, and work being done to tackle the problems they … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, wildlife management

An t-Eun Subhach a tha a’ Ro-innse Bàs / The Joyful Bird that Foretells Death

Posted on May 24, 2019 by

Tha a’ chuthag subhach, ach faodaidh i naidheachd dhuilich a ghiùlan leatha, co-dhiù a rèir beul-aithris / The cuckoo is a happy bird but can carry sad news, according to Gaelic tradition An t-Eun Subhach a tha a’ Ro-innse Bàs … Continue reading →

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Helping Orkney’s Native Wildlife Thrive

Posted on May 17, 2019 by

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 by

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 , , , ,

Livestock Worrying – “Your Dog – Your Responsibility”

Posted on April 26, 2019 by

Enjoying the outdoors with your dog can be a fantastic experience but it’s important to remember to explore responsibly. Many people live, work and day-trip in the countryside so there are many things to think about when looking after your … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Taking the Lead on Responsible Dog Handling

Posted on April 8, 2019 by

As weather continues to improve you may be looking for new places to explore but remember that dogs and livestock rarely mix well. This week we have a guest post from Karen Ramoo, a Policy Adviser in Access, Conservation & … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

SNH seabird scientist on lessons learned in Antarctica

Posted on April 4, 2019 by

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 , ,