Posts Tagged ‘Mammals’
More than 300 individual minke whales identified in the Hebrides since 1990
More than 300 individual minke whales have been identified in the Hebrides since 1990, with one visiting the region for nearly 30 years. A minke whale named Snowy has travelled to the area over an astonishing 27-year period – the longest known history of sightings for this species in Europe. Another, known as Knobble, holds…
Read MoreDalkeith named Heritage Tree Hotspot as Experts Record 500 ‘Living Legends’
Dalkeith Country Park has been revealed as a heritage tree hotspot after experts recorded 500 ancient, veteran and notable oaks over the last year. Many of the trees may be descended from a single giant called “The Michael” and are thought to have been planted centuries ago to funnel deer towards aristocratic hunters. Details of…
Read More‘National effort’ needed to save Scottish wildcat
A MAMMALS expert has warned that a “national effort” is needed in order to save the Scottish wildcat from extinction. Roo Campbell, the mammal adviser to government agency NatureScot, used the publication of a report to highlight the threat to the wildcat, which is critically endangered. The report draws together the findings from the Scottish…
Read MoreFirth of Forth marine life mapped
WHALES, dolphins, and other mammals visiting the Firth of Forth have been mapped by scientists and the public. More than 450 people reported sightings of whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seals to researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh using the Forth Marine Mammals group on the Facebook social network. Exotic species such as humpback, minke, and…
Read MoreCity gardeners asked to spot mammals
HAVE you spotted rabbits, foxes, or other mammals in your urban garden? If so then the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) wants to hear from you. The charity is gathering reports of sightings, footprints, and droppings from gardens, allotments, parks, playing fields, cemetries, and other public spaces. Its data will help with conservation work…
Read MoreFred Olsen passengers report 4,400 wildlife sightings
PASSENGERS aboard Fred Olsen cruise ships recorded 4,400 wildlife sightings last year. The most frequent species spotted was – appropriately – the common dolphin, which was sighted 296 times, reaching 1,996 individual dolphins. Other creatures reported during cruises included humpback whales, orca, a blue whale, and even the deepest-diving animal, the elusive Cuvier’s beaked whale,…
Read MoreShetland sanctuary completes its new seal rescue unit
Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary has finished its new seal rescue unit, which will offer a better chance for rescued seals to make a full recovery from their injuries or illnesses. Supported by World Animal Protection, the improvements to this unit included energy efficient heat lamps and insulation features, all of which enables a stable environment for…
Read MorePhotographer to share his freezing filming experiences
BAFTA and Emmy award-winning wildlife photographer Doug Allan is set to share insights into his extraordinary experiences filming at the poles. The cameraman who has worked extensively with Sir David Attenborough – will be discussing his captivating book Freeze Frame: A Wildlife Cameraman’s Adventures on Ice. He’ll be appearing at the popular Bookface Book Swap…
Read MoreFirst killer whale match between Scotland and Norway
What is believed to be the first match of killer whales between Scotland and Norway has been made after experts identified three individuals photographed in southern Norway this month as part of a ‘mystery pod’ seen off Scotland’s west coast in 2018. The discovery solves a three-year enigma after the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust…
Read MoreFirst autumn mammal survey gets underway
THE first autumn “Living With Mammals” survey kicks off on Monday, with Scots being asked to keep their eyes peeled for creatures, tracks and droppings in gardens, parks or other green spaces. People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) normally only runs its survey once a year, but is now capitalising on a successful spring count…
Read More