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Recent Posts
- How do adders hibernate? April 8, 2021
- Gulls: a balancing act April 1, 2021
- The Robin ‘Redbreast’ – but which ‘red’? March 30, 2021
- Dè an dath – agus ainm ceart – a th’ air a’ Bhrù-dhearg? March 30, 2021
- How many lakes are there in Scotland? March 22, 2021
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Tag Archives: birds
The bird with the golden eye
Goldeneye may bring to mind one of the better James Bond movies of the 1990s but it is of course also a medium sized duck which is found all around the world’s more northerly regions, from North America, across Europe … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, coastal, Marine, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized
Tagged birds, ducks, goldeneye, nature, Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH
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A small bird with a big impact
Weighing in at less than 12 g and 10 cm long, the wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) is one of Britain`s smallest birds; only the goldcrest and firecrest are smaller. Nigel Buxton, our Natura Project Manager, tells more about this surprisingly successful bird. … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, SNH, Uncategorized
Tagged birds, Fair Isle, Shetland, Troglodytes troglodytes, wren
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Why the chough needs a champion
Did you know that there is now a parliamentary majority of ‘Species Champions’ in the Scottish Parliament? Amanda Trask from the University of Aberdeen tells us more. This is great news for Scotland’s wildlife – 65 MSPs have each chosen … Continue reading
Growing up on the Isle of May
A busy breeding season on the Isle of May National Nature Reserve is all but over. Here Reserve Manager David Steel reflects on the season, and shares one or two charming pictures of the new batch of youngsters. My how … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, National Nature Reserves
Tagged birds, Isle of May, National Nature Reserve, Scottish Natural Heritage
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Species of the month – the Manx shearwater, the charming frequent-flier
A remarkable bird that flies up to 1 million miles over a lifetime? Athayde Tonhasca, SNH Species Advisory Officer, tells its story. From September to October, thousands of Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) leave their breeding grounds located on a few islands off … Continue reading
Posted in biodiversity, Birds, Rum NNR
Tagged biodiversity, birds, Isle of Rum, Manx Shearwater, National Nature Reserve, Scottish Natural Heritage
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Deadwood … good wood
There is great ‘natural’ value in deadwood, as Sarah Smyth of our Ecoystems and Biodiversity team explains. Trees contribute a huge amount as living organisms providing shelter and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, pollution reduction, water runoff reduction , … Continue reading
Birds and habitats – the domain of Rob Fuller
Andy Douse and Des Thompson reflect on the work of Professor Rob Fuller, who has recently retired as Director of Science with the British Trust for Ornithology. In 1982 an important volume was published in the now classic Poyser series … Continue reading
The changing nature of our climate
Imagine if you could no longer find your favourite bird on the wetland in winter, or if trees were dying in your local wood for lack of water in summer. What if the fish in our rivers changed, and salmon … Continue reading
Species of the month: North Atlantic gannet
Killer acceleration, ultra-streamlined body, wrap-around airbags and dazzling speeds – we’re not talking supercars here but a seabird. In fact, the biggest seabird in the North Atlantic, with a wingspan of just under 2 m: the northern gannet. For the … Continue reading
Posted in biodiversity, Birds, Marine, photography, sea life, Species of the month
Tagged Bass Rock, biodiversity, Bird, birds, Coast, gannet, gannets, images, nature, North Atlantic gannet, photography, Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Shetland, SNH, St Kilda, Wildlife
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Swallows and heavy water – the making of a remarkable scientist
Professor Des Thompson, our Principal Adviser on Biodiversity, celebrates the pioneering work of life scientist Professor Dave Bryant, who celebrates his 70th birthday today. Along with the spring return of swallows in 1972 a young lecturer arrived at Stirling University’s … Continue reading
