Northwoods Rewilding Network plants 100,000 trees

THE Northwoods Rewilding Network has planted more than 108,000 native trees during its first two years, according to figures released this morning. The network, which has grown to include 55 partners spread throughout Scotland, said the trees cover an area equivalent to 210 football pitches. More than 4,100 of the trees are along rivers, where…

Read More

Dhoom helps Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park

DHOOM Indian Steatery & Bar in Dunfermline has donated £1,000 Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park, the community group that looks after the peacocks. Chef-proprietor Dhaneshwar Prasad said: “The Glen is one of Scotland’s outstanding heritage parks, with the peacocks a huge draw in attracting families and all sorts of visitors to the town. “It’s a tranquil…

Read More

Peatland restoration roadshow shifts into gear

MONDAY marks the start of a peatland restoration roadshow. Peatland consultancy firm Caledonian Climate Partnership (CCP) has organised the discussions, which are touring Scotland until 23 March. The roadshow – which is supported by NatureScot and Peatland Action – is aimed at “people with an interest in land management and nature restoration, including farmers, keepers,…

Read More

Beavers could return to Glen Affric

BEAVERS could soon return to Glen Affric in the Highlands as early as this autumn. Conservation charity Trees for Life is applying to NatureScot – the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage – for a licence to reintroduce the creatures to the glen. The application is supported by four landowners and Forestry…

Read More

Is this the ultimate ‘off-grid’ job?

THE island of Rona aims to double its population by offering what’s billed as the ultimate “off-grid” job. The island, which is accessed only by a private boat, wants to recruit a live-in estate worker, along with a partner who will work part-time. Duties include “estate and property maintenance and management, housekeeping, logistics, and assisting…

Read More

Highlands Rewilding buys Argyll’s Tayvallich Estate

THE Highlands Rewilding project today revealed it has raised the £10.5 million it needed to buy the 3,500-acre Tayvallich Estate in Argyll. The initiative, which already owns Beldorney in Aberdeenshire and Bunloit near Loch Ness, raised the funds ahead of last night’s deadline. Highlands Rewilding announced in December that it was in exclusive talks to…

Read More

Move from research to conservation to save migrating birds

SCIENTISTS want efforts to shift from research to conservation in order to save migrating birds. Species under threat include cuckoos, swifts, and turtle doves, as well as swallows and whinchats. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) warned that gaps in research into the problem shouldn’t…

Read More

Ducks given helping hand with nest tubes

NOW is the “ideal time” to install nest tubes for ducks, according to the Brititsh Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC). The charity’s push to erect more platforms is part of its wider duck monitoring project. Last year, 48% of the 225 raised nests monitored by the project were occupied, with 98% showing signs of…

Read More

Perth event to examine grouse conservation

SCOTLAND’S four grouse species will be under the spotlight during an event in Perth. The symposium – entitlted “Practical Conservation for Scotland’s Grouse species” – is being organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and the World Pheasant Association (WPA). Taking place at Balhousie Castle on 5 May, the event will examine the…

Read More

Scotland’s ‘ice age’ pinewoods on knife-edge

THE remnants of the Caledonian pinewoods could be wiped out within a generation, according to a study unveiled today. Four years of analysis by conservation charity Trees for Life – the first major research into Caley pines for more than 60 years – found that “high deer numbers, spread of non-native conifers, lack of long-term…

Read More