COUNTRY NEWS

Including the best country gear put to the test

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER

Single malt whisky maker Glenmorangie is hoping to achieve an environmental first by recreating an extinct native oyster reef in the Dornoch Firth. The distillery has introduced 20,000 oysters into the surrounding waters as part of the DEEP initiative – Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project – working alongside Heriot-Watt University and the Marine Conservation Society. The original reefs were fished to extinction a century ago but it is hoped that over the next five years, the population will be built up to four million, spreading over 40 hectares.

Owl be there

The public are being asked to participate in a study of Tawny owls until 31 March 2019. The species has been added to the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern as their numbers have declined. The British Trust for Ornithology wish to know more about the impacts of urbanisation and light pollution on Tawny owl populations. Register at www.bto.org/owls.

MARINE CONSERVATION ATLAS LAUNCHED

Marine conservation charity Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust have released the first Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas. It showcases findings by the organisation from the past 15 years. According to the charity Scotland’s west coast seas are a global hotspot for whales, dolphins and porpoise – known as cetaceans – and basking sharks, and they need greater protection. Twenty-three cetacean species have been recorded in the Hebrides including the UK’s only resident population of killer whales. Download the atlas at www.hwdt.org.