Author Archives: NatureScot

Sphagnum moss – a tiny plant with a big impact

Posted on May 10, 2024 by NatureScot

Over a fifth of Scotland is covered by peaty soils. Soils built up over thousands of years – mainly by sphagnum mosses as they grow and die down. Layer upon layer, turning from lush carpets of green, gold and red … Continue reading →

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Life as a wader

Posted on May 8, 2024 by NatureScot

As part of Wader Week, we’re continuing to shine the spotlight on wading birds and the threats they face. In today’s blog, NatureScot Ornithologist and Working for Waders Chair, Dave Parish gives us an insight into the various species, their … Continue reading →

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Welcome to Wader Week

Posted on May 6, 2024 by NatureScot

Today marks the start of the first ever Wader Week (6-12 May) and to celebrate, we asked NatureScot Ornithologist and Chair of the Working for Waders partnership, Dave Parish to tell us about it in today’s guest blog. Welcome to … Continue reading →

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How Scotland’s peatlands support our adders

Posted on May 3, 2024 by NatureScot

This week, ecologist and herpetological specialist Stephen Corcoran shares some fascinating information about adders and how our peatland areas support them. Bogs are commonly thought of as bleak, inhospitable places, with little value. Yet, closer examination reveals that these wetlands … Continue reading →

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Thomas Garnett and the ‘Innis’ Islands of Loch Lomond

Posted on April 29, 2024 by NatureScot

A 1798 account of the islands in Scotland’s most famous loch highlights a singular toponymy. Continue reading →

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Tòmas Garnett agus Ìnnsean Loch Laomainn

Posted on April 29, 2024 by NatureScot

Tha ainmean-àite iongantach an locha bhrèagha seo a’ tighinn beò ann an seann chunntas bho 1798. Continue reading →

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How is Scotland’s east coast bottlenose dolphin population doing?

Posted on April 26, 2024 by NatureScot

The Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation (SAC), designated in 2005, protects the only resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the North Sea, which is the most northern resident bottlenose dolphin population in the world! In today’s blog, Rona Sinclair … Continue reading →

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Every chough counts

Posted on April 24, 2024 by NatureScot

In today’s blog, NatureScot’s Ornithology Adviser, Dave Parish gives us an insight into some of the ways farmers are helping to support Scotland’s critically endangered chough. This is an exciting time of year…chough are now laying their eggs at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, biodiversity, Birds, coastal, conservation, Farming, NatureScot | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Healthy peatlands – nature’s firewall

Posted on April 19, 2024 by NatureScot

When we think of spring in Scotland, we don’t often associate it with wild fires – yet surprisingly the months between March and June are the most likely to see our hills, forests and moors ablaze than any other time … Continue reading →

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The new tech helping to modernise deer management

Posted on April 16, 2024 by NatureScot

From drones to artificial intelligence (AI), new technologies are changing the face of wildlife management. In today’s blog, our wildlife management officer Nathan Berrie looks at some of the advantages – and limitations – of these new tools for monitoring … Continue reading →

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