Scottish wildcat benefits from six new protection sites

Six sites in Scotland have been identified by Scottish Natural Heritage as key areas for Scottish wildcats following research into the endangered cat species.

The sites; Angus Glens, northern Strathspey, Morvern, Strathavon, Strathbogie (around Huntly) and Strathpeffer, have been designated as potential wildcat strongholds woth preserving after evidence of cats showing strong wildcat features were found.

“The survey findings support that there are wild-living cats displaying many of the typical wildcat features in these areas,” said Dr Rob Ogden, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Head of Science. “Although some of the best examples caught on camera were not tested for their DNA, some of the cats tested had a high proportion of wildcat genetic markers. Hence a pragmatic view is that our wildcats remain distinctive and are worthy of protection.

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Wild lynx to be brought back to British countryside

Wild lynx could be allowed to roam the British countryside for the first time in almost 1,000 years under plans by a group of leading wildlife experts.

By Richard Gray, Science Correspondent

7:30AM BST 26 May 2013

Senior biologists and cat specialists are this week due to apply for a license to reintroduce the cats, which can grow up to four feet in length, into an area of forest on the west coast of Scotland.

Under the plans, which have been backed by officials from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), two pairs of Eurasian lynx would be brought to this country from northern Europe.

A new charity, the Lynx UK Trust, has now been set up by the biologists to oversee the project. They are to submit an official application for a permit to Scottish Natural Heritage, which regulates species reintroduction in Scotland.

The initial reintroduction would act as trial to see whether lynx could then be reintroduced to other areas of the country including parts of Wales and northern England.

The plan, however, is expected to be controversial with farmers and some land owners, who will see the lynx as a threat to livestock and grouse.

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150 beavers found living in Scotland 'unofficially'

Landowners encouraged to report beaver issues

December 2012. A study, run by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), has confirmed that approximately 146 beavers are presently living in the wild in rivers in Tayside. Surveys from May and July 2012, along with long-term observations, found that there are about 40 groups of beavers and seven dams in the Tay catchment. The beavers were found in the Tayside rivers and lochs stretching from Kinloch Rannoch, Kenmore and beyond Crieff in the west, to Forfar, Perth and Bridge of Earn in the East.

The researchers also spoke to farmers, fishermen and ghillies in the area. In response to their concerns about dam building, the report recommends measures such as installing devices to control water flow at problem beaver dams, protecting large and valuable trees next to rivers, and protecting lodges from being washed away to keep beaver construction activities to a minimum.

Official beaver study - Vast cost

The Scottish government issued a license to release a few beavers in Knapdale as part of a trial beaver introduction, at great expense. The cost has reached some £2 million, which seemd rediculous at the time. Now that they have revealed taht there is already a large, and thriving beaver population in Tayside, it makes the £2 million look even more wasteful.

Land use issues

The Tayside Beaver Study Group is encouraging landowners to contact them if they have any issues with beavers on their land.

David Bale, Chair of the Tayside Beaver Study Group, said: "This report is an important starting point for the Tayside Beaver Study Group. For the first time, we have a clear picture of how many beavers there are and how far they have spread. As the beavers are in an area with both farming and fishing, this is a good chance to see how beavers may affect land use.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/tayside-beavers.html

Scottish Natural Heritage objects to windfarm plans

Windfarm would affect wild land - SNH
May 2012. A proposed 22-turbine windfarm at Sallachy, north of Lairg in Sutherland, would result in the loss of a large area of wild land, according to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

In objecting to the proposals, SNH has also highlighted the adverse effect the development would have on the Assynt and Coigach National Scenic Area (NSA), and the potential impacts on a range of other important sites for wild birds and habitats.

Confirming the organisation's objection, SNH's director of operations, Andrew Bachell, said: "We support renewable energy as a means of tackling climate change. Our role is to provide information and advice to help decision makers balance the needs of the industry with those of nature and landscape, and get the right developments in the right places.

"Wild land is a scarce national resource, and most of it is in the Highlands. This particular area in Sutherland has remained free from windfarms and we don't think the concerns we have raised can be addressed to the extent that would be required to protect the wild land. We have been advising the developer and their consultants since 2008 so at least our advice, and the reasons behind it, will come as no surprise."


http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/windfarm-objection.html