Crofters are adapting their farming practices in north Skye to support the population of corncrakes: in 2024, 27 males were recorded giving their distinctive 'crex crex' call - an increase on the number in 2023. Corncrakes migrate 6000 miles from the Democratic...
by Janet Ullman, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation janet.ullman@arc-trust.org Saving Scotland's Amphibians and Reptiles is a project of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC). We work with crofters to support their needs in establishing or maintaining populations...
Members of Skye Naturalists' Network have found a new butterfly species for Skye – the Chequered Skipper – at Dalavil in Sleat, with the nearest known colonies at Morar on the mainland. (Photo by Martin Benson). They also found a number of rare or unusual species such...
After No-Mow May comes Let it bloom June! Some tips on how to manage your lawn for nature all year round from Plant Life's Let it Bloom June campaign. Things don’t have to get messy and you can still be in control while maintaining a space for your local wildlife....
Bats are generally smaller than one thinks. Common Pipistrelle bat. Photo: Gilles San Martin Bats are the only true flying mammal, making up more than quarter of mammal species in the UK. All our native species are insect eaters, beautifully adapted to aerial...
This project is being conducted by Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the Gaelic place-names partnership. It is mapping all Scottish place-names that indicate a historical woodland presence, resulting in a digital map showing over 15,000 locations. The majority are Gaelic names,...
Hear a podcast about the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) with Callum Sinclair of NatureScot. Non-native invasive species like Japanese knotweed and American mink are not just persistent nuisances but significant threats to Scotland's ecosystems and...
Formalised monitoring on Canna recorded at least 12–14 calling corncrake males this year, compared with counts of just 1 or 2 corncrakes over the last few decades. Corncrakes are summer visitors to the UK, and are in long-term decline; the last stronghold of this...
by Phil Knott With the generous support of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub and the Highland Community Waste Partnership, Broadford and Strath Community Company were able to run Apple Day at Broadford Hall on Saturday 5th October. It was a successful inaugural...
Highland Council ecologist Dawn Anderson explains that Scotland is globally important for waxcaps – a group of fungi most commonly found on species-rich grasslands, old lawns and graveyards. As Scotland now has only 3% of its original species-rich...