Farmon wildlife shortlist

A Doune farm has been shortlisted for two prestigious wildlife awards.

Beef and sheep farm, Ardgaty, home of the wellknown red kite project, has been nominated for a food and farming award and a nature tourism gong by RSPB Scotland.

And three young people from the Stirling area have also been shortlisted for a young nature champion award: Alasdair Lemon, Ross McIlwrath and Robert Walsh.

Alasdair champions species which are less charismatic yet equally essential to the preservation of Scotland’s biodiversity; Ross ran training courses entitled ‘micro moths for beginners’ and recorded moths for the first time and made several regional discoveries.

Argaty has centralScotland’s only red kite feeding station. For 22 years it has provided a safe haven for kites, feeding the birds, monitoring their growing population and telling visitors their story.

The estate also supports raptors, owls, waders and song birds, and recently opened a new red squirrel hide.

This is the seventh year of the awards which recognise and celebrate those people and projects who passionately work towards excellence and innovation in Scottish conservation.

Over 50 people, projects, or organisations have been recognised with a Nature of Scotland Award since the first awards in 2012.