Species Action Framework

 A move to boost the conservation of red squirrels in Scotland has taken place with the release of 32 animals at a site in the north west Highlands of Scotland.

Work to establish causes of lamb mortality in areas of Scotland which have been blamed on sea eagles aims to start next spring with the backing of local crofters, SNH has confirmed.

A conservation project to help protect the capercaillie, one of Scotland's most flamboyant and iconic species, has received a £120,000 funding boost from SNH.

A major international conference on the subject of species management gets underway in Edinburgh this week.

This week 200 threatened native oysters were safely returned to a sea loch in Argyll, following prompt action by a member of the public.

The management of wildlife species for conservation, conflict resolution and sustainability, will be the subject of a major international conference to be held in Scotland next month (October).

Rural Affairs and Environment Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead will use GPS technology today (Wednesday) as part of a fact-finding mission into one of the world's most technologically advanced mink trapping schemes.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) staff on the Isle of May woke to find an unusual visitor on the island at the weekend. A sea eagle, recently released from the east coast reintroduction project in Fife, had decided to take a trip to the island reserve in the Forth.

One of Scotland's rarest and most vulnerable species continues to be the target of unscrupulous wildlife criminals and reckless destruction of its habitat, Scottish Natural Heritage and police warned today.

A growing tally of non-native mink have been taken from the Western Isles over the past week as work on one of the world's largest high-tech eradication programmes continues.

Stunning footage of Europe's largest eagle preparing to take off has been captured by a BBC crew filming the wildlife at a nature reserve managed by Scottish Natural Heritage.

The UK's rarest freshwater fish has become extinct in Bassenthwaite Lake according to leading wildlife experts from across the UK. But all is not lost, as practical action by a partnership of conservation bodies has successfully managed to bring the fish back from the brink of extinction by establishing a new population of Bassenthwaite vendace in a remote Scottish hill loch.

A non-native species of seaweed, known as wireweed, has been spreading along Scotland's west coast and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is investigating just how widespread it has become. The species is included in SNH's Species Action Framework which promotes action to protect and enhance Scotland's biodiversity.

Scottish Natural Heritage is driving forward conservation work to tackle the threat posed to our native species by invasive species which do not naturally occur in Great Britain. The organisation will be playing a key role in implementing the newly launched Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy for Great Britain (GB)

The first confirmed case of a non-native grey squirrel has been made in the Highlands, which is a stronghold of the red.

25/09/2008

Invasive seaweed spreading fast

An alien species of seaweed, which can cause commercial and environmental damage, has been found as far north as Loch Sunart in Ardnamurchan and Tarskavaig on Skye, and as far south as Luce Bay in the Solway Firth. The sightings, reported by members of the public, mean that wireweed (Sargassum muticum) has spread much further and much more quickly than previously thought. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has asked the public to continue reporting any sightings to help track its spread.

18/03/2008

Seminar to help save Scotland's rare pine wood flowers

Leading botanists, conservationists, foresters and land managers will gather today (Tuesday 18th March) at Scottish Natural Heritage's (SNH) Headquarters, Great Glen House, to agree a rescue strategy for an iconic Scottish woodland species

19/02/2008

Scottish Wildcat Survey launched by Environment Minister

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is calling on visitors and workers in the outdoors to be alert for any sightings of our most elusive predator, the Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris). The organisation believes people using the countryside for work or leisure in 2008 can play a key role in helping the plight of one of Scotland's rarest and most secretive mammals. 

Scotland's species star in SNH 2008 Calendar

Stunning images of twelve of Scotland's rare and spectacular species feature in Scottish Natural Heritage's (SNH) 2008 calendar. The calendar celebrates the theme of Scotland's Species Action Framework; a five-year programme of work to ensure the native wildlife of Scotland is protected for future generations to enjoy.

11/12/2007

Tayside estates help in raptor conservation

A recent meeting of organisations and individuals interested in moorland estate management saw an important new manual being presented to estate members. The survey work described in the Raptor Monitoring Handbook identifies the presence of protected nesting birds of prey so that the managers of the moorland can take this into account when managing the estate.

07/11/2007

SNH launches new hen harrier management scheme

A new initiative to preserve internationally important numbers of hen harrier, one of the UK's most persecuted raptors, by rewarding good land management practices has been launched by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

06/112007

Rotting tree stumps help insect threatened with extinction

An extinction-threatened insect which relies on rotting tree stumps for the success of its breeding cycle is the focus of unusual conservation action in the Highlands.

24/10/2007

Appeal launched to track spread of invasive seaweed

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has today (24 October 2007) launched a public appeal to help track the spread of a non-native species of seaweed that has been spreading rapidly along Scotland's west coast.

02/10/2007

Local people can have say on islands' mink project

A community-based scheme linked to the Western Isles' American mink project has seen high levels of interest - even before a public meeting is held later this week.

20/09/2007

Major new project to explore novel approach to the conservation of raptors on grouse moors

One of the most ambitious and innovative land management and conservation projects ever to be carried out in Britain is launched today (Thursday 20 September) by Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell.

29/06/2007

Mink position now clear with GPS technology

Hand-held satellite technology is being used to 'map' out the best ways of clearing a non native predator in the Western Isles of Scotland.

12/06/2007

SNH ask people to look out for threatened native beauty

People throughout Scotland are being asked to report sightings of one of Scotland's most beautiful and rare native flowers in a bid to help ensure its survival.

22/05/2007

Reports highlight climate change survival issues for Scotland's species

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has welcomed the publication of two new reports which detail the threat posed by climate change to some of Scotland's most valued wildlife.

16/05/2007

SNH advice on mink traps

Members of the public have been asked not to tamper with traps used in a mink removal project following reported incidents in the Western Isles.

11/05/2007

First fatal case of red squirrel virus confirmed in Scotland

Veterinary surgeons in Edinburgh have confirmed the first fatal case of squirrelpox virus occurring in Scotland's red squirrel population.

04/05/2007

Plan to control mink on Mull and Iona drawn up

The days of the non-native American mink on Mull and Iona could be numbered as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are funding a study on how best to control the mink population on the islands.

02/04/2007

Pioneering research on UK's rarest bumblebee

A pioneering research scheme aimed at discovering the relationship between the UK's rarest bumblebee and crofting in rural locations has been unveiled by Scottish Natural Heritage.

23/03/2007

SNH launches its research strategy for the next five years

A new Research and Development Strategy was launched today (Friday 23 March) by Scottish Natural Heritage setting out its priorities for research in the natural heritage over the next five years.

12/03/2007

In-training trappers help save birds in mink scheme

Trappers in the Western Isles who have yet to complete their training are already helping protect ground nesting wader birds under threat from non native mink.

06/02/2007

£346,000 for moorland scheme at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

The hen harriers of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park are sitting on a tidy "nest egg" after Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) announced funding of £346,000 to support positive management of the moorlands on which they live.

23/01/2007

Five year action plan for Scotlands wildlife launched

Thirty two species of wildlife in Scotland, including the white-tailed eagle and the great yellow bumble bee, have been prioritises for management action in a new report A Five Year Species Action Framework launched today (23 January) by Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development Sarah Boyack.