COUNTRY NEWS

A round-up of what’s happening in Scotland’s countryside

Rural news and the best outdoor gear put to the test

OTTERLY AMAZING

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative have launched their new monthly ‘Wildlife Watcher’ feature. The project has been using wildlife cameras at riverside locations to help detect the presence of the invasive, non-native American mink, which can then be controlled. But these cameras have also been capturing a range of other, often secretive, native animals as they go about their business, including a family of three otters, one adult and two juveniles. Find out more about the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative or volunteer with the project by contacting the team on sisi@nature.scot or visit www.invasivespecies.scot

BACKING BEAVERS

A number of leading Scottish wildlife charities and individuals with an interest in conservation have signed an open letter to the First Minister calling for a firm date to be set on granting European Protected Species status to beavers in Scotland.

The letter was published in The Guardian on 21 December 2018 and comes one year after the announcement that legislation to secure European Protected Species status for beavers would be laid down in the Scottish Parliament in the first half of 2018.

WATER WORLD

A report published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has revealed that St Kilda’s special reefs and sea caves are in good condition. The survey is the result of extensive investigations carried out in 2015 by a team of divers. Almost 90 years after St Kilda’s last 36 residents were evacuated to the mainland, the islands remain vitally important for the wildlife they support, which includes the world’s second largest colony of North Atlantic gannets. For the full report visit www.nature.scot