Links and Information

3 December 07
Caithness locals urged to help Swifts
Members of the public are being invited to join Highland Council's Countryside Rangers to build bird boxes for Swifts, at the Seadrift visitor centre, Dunnet this Saturday (8th December 2007). The Swift Box Day has been organised by the Council's Rangers in the Planning and Development Service and after the event, volunteers will be rewarded with coffee and baking at the local hotel. The build is one of the local Biodiversity Projects taking place around the county and features in the Caithness Countryside Volunteer programme of events.

20 October 07
Important Areas for Nature in Caithness
Can You Help With Information About Caithness?
Of course, the appropriate institutions have told us what the important places are in Caithness for nature and wild things, haven’t they? So it is all tidy, isn’t it? Well, the people of Caithness know a lot about what goes on around them and have a lot of information that does not reach the right ears. Also, people in “the appropriate institutions” tend to be rather busy with paper chases and do not get around enough. So some local natural history enthusiasts are trying to capture more of the local knowledge to give a better rounded picture of nature and wild things.

For example, which hedgerows have the best range of summer flowers – do you drive or cycle or walk past a good one and value it? This summer we walked round the loop of road at Harpsdale, south of Halkirk, and found 116 species. Does your favourite wayside get mowed down by a well-intentioned Highland Council? Tell us about it.

Do you know where bats fly in the evening? Do you know where they hang out? They eat midges so maybe you want more of them around! We would like to know what you know!

18 June 07
Highlanders Urged To Provide Homes For Migrating Birds
People in the Highlands are being urged to take up the offer of free nesting boxes by The Highland Council to provide homes for visiting swifts. Results from a Highland Swift survey carried out in 2006 found that one of the factors affecting Swifts is a loss of nest sites due to refurbishment and repair of old houses. To try and minimise the effect of this, sixty Swift nest boxes have been built for this year’s swift survey. Householders in key Swift areas are being invited to install a box on their houses. In Caithness boxes are available from the East Coast Ranger in Wick.

12 June 07
Lesser Butterfly Orchid
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. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking people to lend their support to a survey by looking out for the Lesser Butterfly Orchid's distinctive creamy-white petals as they walk in fields, over hills and along roadside verges. Such is the Lesser Butterfly Orchid's perilous status that it in January 2007 the Minister for the Environment announced that it would become one of 32 species for special action under Scotland's Species Action Framework and it is being considered as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species.  Report Lesser Butterfly Orchid HERE

16 May 07
Online Biodiversity Photo Competition
Scottish Biodiversity Week 19- 27 May 2007
Online photo competition offers worldwide exposure to budding Scottish nature photographers.

An innovative nature photography competition launched today is giving Scots the chance to reach a worldwide audience with their own images of nature and wildlife. The competition has been organised by Scottish Biodiversity Forum (SBF) as part of this year's Scottish Biodiversity Week programme of events. Organisers want budding nature photographers of all ages and abilities to take part by simply sending their best photo entries by email as an attachment to bit@snh.gov.uk

The photo competition is promoting the theme of "'Earth, nature and you - connected" by inviting people to capture an inspiring image of their natural local surroundings and win some fantastic prizes using their camera phones or digital cameras. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is hosting the competition on its website and an online photo gallery of the images can be viewed at www.snh.org.uk/biodiversityweek . Organiser Zeshan Akhter says: "People use, and take inspiration from nature in so many ways - to recharge their batteries, for art, literature, music, science and faith. We want Biodiversity Week and the nature photo competition to be an opportunity for people to express and share this inspiration. We hope people will dig out their cameras and go visit the places where they feel connected to nature: where they feel rested, uplifted, refreshed or joyful - and tell us about it through their photographs."

First prize is an inspiring day spent working with top professional nature photographer Philip Price at his Loch Visions' purpose built photographic zones on the banks of stunning Loch Awe. Here the winner will discover the secrets of photographing wild and natural subjects using a purpose built vole and forest bird hide, wild flower and butterfly meadow and loch side vantages.

Entrants should email their photos by 18th June as an attachment to bit@snh.gov.uk  with "Photo Contest" in the subject line. Entries must be original, have a title and information about where in Scotland the photo was taken and name and contact details. SNH will add entries to create an online gallery of entries on the theme of 'Earth, nature and you - connected."

Winners will be notified in July 2007 and the winning entries will be posted on the Scottish Biodiversity Week website and highlighted in the Scottish Biodiversity Forum's quarterly newsletter. The runner up will receive a high quality Nikon SLR digital camera and and the 3rd prize-winner the Royal Society for Protection of Birds Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography.

Scottish Biodiversity Week events are being held throughout Scotland and include talks, guided walks, pond-dipping, bird watching trips, nature reserve open days, wildflower planting days, nature photography/painting workshops and exhibitions. The website www.snh.org.uk/biodiversityweek  carries a full programme of events and projects which give people opportunities to examine and interact with the biodiversity on their doorstep.

10 September 06
Jail Warning As Freshwater Pearl Mussel Kills Discovered
The discovery of a large pile of dead freshwater pearl mussels beside a river has today promoted a jail warning from police and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The find of this fascinating and little-known river dweller was made by two SNH staff members at an unspecified Highland river over the past few days. It follows a find at another river system recently and has again raised the illegal activity of killing these animals for the pearls they sometimes produce.

SNH and Northern Constabulary have again warned that people in the Highlands should not interfere with these animals. Freshwater pearl mussels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and anyone taking, disturbing or harming them is liable to prosecution and could face a prison sentence.

It is also illegal to sell the pearls that the mussels sometimes produce without a licence from the Scottish Executive. Scotland is the European stronghold for this species and contains half of the world's known viable populations.

The move came after SNH staff members Iain Sime and Tim Dawson discovered a large number of emptied freshwater pearl mussel shells on the Highland riverbank.

Iain, the organisation's Freshwater Group manager, said: "Sadly, these finds we made are only the most recent of three pearl mussel kills recorded in Scotland during 2006.

"People should be aware that taking of what is a fascinating and increasingly rare creature is illegal and may lead to a custodial sentence. The freshwater pearl mussel population in Scotland is now so endangered it is now on a par with the tiger in Asia.

"This grim statistic only makes it more important that this important part of Scotland's natural heritage should be left well alone."  Northern Constabulary PC John Bryden, Wildlife Crime Officer, said: "These molluscs are of vital importance to Scotland's biodiversity. "These creatures once purified our rivers. They are indicators to the welfare of our countryside and anyone found interfering with this fragile creature will be dealt with severely.

"Northern Constabulary treats this offence very seriously and anyone with information should contact their local police office."

Pearl mussels once formed a major industry in Scotland worth hundreds of jobs, but over-exploitation resulted in stocks being almost wiped out.  In 1998, freshwater pearl mussels were given full protection as numbers plummeted to critical levels.

These latest finds demonstrate that criminals still raid mussel beds, ripping out mussels up to 100 years old, and opening and discarding the inedible mussel in their search for pearls.

As two of the members of PAW (The Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime), SNH and the police are keen to see these criminals stopped. Ben Ross, SNH's co-ordinator for PAW, said: "The freshwater pearl mussel isnow a priority species in the fight against wildlife crime.

"We are committed to finding the means to tackle their decline in Scotland because failure means they will become extinct. We would urge people not to disturb this precious asset in our rivers and we are warning that taking this species is illegal and may result in criminal prosecution and possibly even jail."

Freshwater pearl mussels can live for 80 to 100 years but only mature after around 10-15 years so young mussels cannot form a sustainable population. They thrive in clean, fast running, low nutrient waters which are low in calcium and have a mix of stones and sand on the bottom. Pollution, the decline of salmon and river engineering works have all played a part in their gradual disappearance.

Larvae attach themselves to the gills of salmon and trout in the summer, and remain, without harming the fish, until the following spring when they drop off and burrow into the river bottom to grow into adulthood. The mussels act as biofilters, filtering out particles and help to maintain water quality and are an integral part of many river systems.

Freshwater pearl mussels were once common in Scotland, with one Roman writer commenting that they were the reason Julius Caesar invaded Britain. The Kelly or Kellie pearl, found in a tributary of the river Ythan in 1621, was one of the largest ever found in Scotland. It was presented by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen to King James VI and it is now in the Scottish crown jewels. Due to destruction for the pearls they sometimes contain, pollution and the decline of salmon which form part of their life cycle, the pearl mussel is now one of the most endangered species in Scotland. Mussels are now extinct or populations are not viable in 70% of sites were they were once found. Scottish Natural Heritage is the government body with respect to conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of Scotland's natural heritage. It works for and with Scotland's people.
Website www.snh.org.uk and
More About Freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera
Photos Of the Fresh Water Pearl Mussel

Biodiversity News April 2007

8 September 06
‘BIODIVERSITY ON THE EDGE’
Wednesday 20th September 2006, 5pm-6.30pm
Environmental Research Institute, Castle Street, Thurso
CAITHNESS BIODIVERSITY GROUP
Are you aware of the exciting biodiversity of Caithness or the current projects taking place around the county?
The Caithness Biodiversity Group would like to invite you to find out more about the Biodiversity projects happening in your area and work of the local group.
We have recently discovered that Caithness is one of the few strong holds for the water vole and have undertaken several habitat enhancement projects to encourage wildlife to thrive.
Please come along to find out more and perhaps suggest your own ideas for future projects.
The event is kindly hosted by the ERI and sponsored by UKAEA.
Talks, displays, refreshments & nibbles.
Everyone most welcome!
For further details, please contact Marina Swanson on 01955 607758 or e-mail marina.swanson@highland.gov.uk

17 August 06
Lungwort Lichen Survey
A long term survey into a species of lichen that indicates levels of air pollution has been started in Caithness. The survey has been organised through Highland Council's Planning and Development Service Countryside Rangers as part of the Caithness Countryside Volunteer programme of events. Caithness Countryside Volunteers commenced the survey last Tuesday 8th August under the direction of experts in the field, Sandy and Brian Coppins. "Lobaria pulmonaria" is a special type of lichen species found in Britain. It is a leafy shaped lichen with the undersides resembling the insides of lungs and therefore better known and remembered as lungwort. Although common in the West, the species is rare in Caithness.

4 April 06
Launch Of Highland Biodiversity
Partnership Agreement Forum
The Highland Biodiversity Partnership Agreement, which is a commitment from over 20 organisations operating in Highland to work together to help understand, safeguard, restore and celebrate the biodiversity within the Highland Council area, was launched at the weekend at the 2006 Highland Biodiversity Forum held at the Town House Inverness.

The Forum provided an opportunity for delegates to be updated on the 40 projects, which have been taken forward by local individuals or groups over the last two years.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Sustainable Development Committee, said: “There is a record of considerable biodiversity achievement in Highland and community groups and others across the area are to be applauded for their hard work and success. There is a quiet but justifiable satisfaction with the progress to date. The challenge is to do yet more, but there is the confidence and commitment to do just that and we are far from complacent over the need for additional biodiversity action. ”

“The launch of the Highland Biodiversity Partnership Agreement is a significant step and provides the linkage and coherence of structure which will add to our ability to act effectively and also seek to maximise the available resources.”

The Forum also provided the opportunity to run workshops which encouraged a full discussion on key issues and future goals. The feedback from the workshops will be used to inform future work programmes and share information and good practice from across Highland.

Highland biodiversity officer, Jonathan Willet, said: “It can be easy to feel depressed about the state of the natural world and our effect on it. But gatherings such as these show that there is a huge amount of positive work being done to protect and restore the Highland’s Biodiversity and a huge number of enthusiastic people involved. With further money for projects close to being secured for the next three years we hope that there will be even more good news about Highland’s Biodiversity to celebrate in 2007 and even more people involved”

5 February 06
The Distribution of the Water Vole in Caithness
E Fraser, D Glass and S Hogg
The distribution of the Water Vole in Caithness was investigated during August/September 2005. Thirty-four locations were surveyed using a consistent survey methodology based on field signs. Positive occupancy was recorded at 56% of locations. The results indicate that the water vole is widely distributed in Caithness. Locations in the peatlands were the most suitable and the best populated.

19 January 06
Caithness Farmer In Line For Biodiversity Award
Danny Miller who farms at Bilbster is one of the five finalists in line to win the NFU Scotland Farmland Biodiversity Award.  The NFU Scotland Farmland Biodiversity Award, sponsored by RSPB Scotland, was established six years ago.   The Award aims to recognise and reward farmers or crofters whose contributions have benefited priority species or habitats as defined by RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. Danny farms almost 1300 hectares at Wick in Caithness.  The key achievement he cites since embarking on his work towards biodiversity is the return of grey partridge to the farm, as well as increasing numbers of brown hare and huge numbers of swallows and bats.  Biodiversity Pages

Caithness Biodiversity Newsletter October 2005
Biodiversity is one of the ‘buzz’ words that seems to pop up all the time these days. It simply means the "variety of life on earth”. This includes all living things, from the tiny garden ant to the giant redwood tree. You will find biodiversity everywhere, in window boxes and wild woods, in roadsides and rain forests, on seashores and snow fields. The concept is a relatively new perspective on the natural world and how we as humans relate to it, which has developed over the last couple of decades.  Catch up on a few of the Caithness biodiversity projects helping to keep the county's varied wildlife and natural habitats.

17 August 05
New Era For Globally Important Peatlands
A new strategy for the long term management of the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland was launched by Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development on Tuesday 16 august 2005.  Caithness and Sutherland have the biggest extent of blanket bog in the UK and possibly the world. Large parts of the area are formally recognised under the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act and the EC Wild Birds and Habitats Directives, and have also been proposed as a World Heritage Site.

30 March 05
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
A landmark study released today reveals that approximately 60 percent of the ecosystem services that support life on Earth – such as fresh water, capture fisheries, air and water regulation, and the regulation of regional climate, natural hazards and pests – are being degraded or used unsustainably. Scientists warn that the harmful consequences of this degradation could grow significantly worse in the next 50 years.

18 October 04
Biodiversity Action Grants
New Applications accepted late February early March 2005

14 July 04
Ross & Cromarty (East)
Biodiversity Plan - Launched
The Ross & Cromarty (East) Biodiversity Action Plan was launched on Tuesday 13th July 2004 in Alness.  It has been drawn together over the last year, following an initial workshop in May 2003.  At the workshop, 11 local people agreed to meet as the Ross & Cromarty (East) Biodiversity Group to oversee the drafting process.  The Group comprises representatives of local land users and conservationists, and the Plan was written with help and input from Scottish Natural Heritage and The Highland Council.

30 May 04
Sutherland Biodiversity Plan
Got a question about Sutherland and its rich flora and fauna.  surprisingly the county may be one of the least studied in the UK even though it is the biggest.  With the low population maybe there are not enough folk to study it all.

21 January 04
Divers, Fishermen And Local People Asked To Look Out For Rare Underwater Plant
Divers, inshore fishermen and local people from West Sutherland and North West Ross are being asked to report sightings of a rare underwater plant. Common Eelgrass, (Zostera marina) is a species of seagrass with leaves that are said to look like green eels when they move with the current of the sea. It is the subject of a survey being carried out this year by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to find out where it occurs around the north coast. Common eelgrass likes a sheltered sand or mud substrate to grow in and does not like to grow deeper than 10m. There are three different species of eelgrass in the UK and all are considered scarce. It is an important species for the biodiversity of Scotland's marine environment by providing shelter for flatfish and, in some areas, for cephalopods such as squid and octopus.

19 December 03
The Biodiversity Photo Collection
400 fantastic photographs showing the range of habitat, plants, birds, animals and much more.  the collection will be added to in coming weks.

9 December 03
Free 2004 Calendar - Focus on Caithness BIODIVERSITY
The Caithness Biodiversity Collection, a set of over 400 images of the wildlife, landscapes and land uses of Caithness, was launched last Friday, 5th December in the Waterlines Centre, Lybster.  The Collection represents a year's work by wildlife and landscape photographers Ken Crossan and Iain Sarjeant, and by underwater photographer Sue Scott.  After a short introduction, those present were treated to a slide show of a selection of the images and given a calendar that has been produced from the collection.

14 September 03
COUNCIL AIMS TO  ENSURE BETTER
MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL WATERS
The Highland Council is determined to ensure better management of coastal waters. Vice-Convener Dr Michael Foxley made the commitment in launching two new marine initiatives in Shieldaig, West Ross.  He said: “With more than 1,900 sq km of coastline – 49% of the Scottish mainland  coastline – we have a large area to safeguard and manage.  We have promoted and strongly supported regulatory orders to allow local fishermen to manage the inshore shellfish fishery and we continue to lead the campaign to control the passage of hazardous cargoes in our waters.”

14 August 03
Bumblebees
Bumblebees come in several species and some have become very rare due to modern agricultural practices.  Comprehensive research still remains to be carried out to find out where they all are.  Caithness, the north and Western Isles are home to the Great Yellow which was once common all over the UK but has disappeared from everywhere except the wild and rugged landscapes of the far north and the islands.  But how common are they and other bumblebees.  Bumblebees are important pollinators for many plants and also require a range of plants throughout the season to find food......................

14 July 03
Know about Bumble Bees! - Caithness Field Club
2pm on Sunday 10th August 2003  Caithness Field Club is organising an afternoon with Bumble Bees, led by two experts on Highland species, Murdo MacDonald from Strathpeffer and Gill Nesbit from Boat of Garten.  Do come along and meet them!   Meet at the Dunnet Wildlike Ranger Station, Dunnet Sands at 2pm on Sunday 10th August 2003  All Welcome. Further information from Ken Butler 01847 89 3549............

14 May 03
Highland Biodiversity Newsletter 2

11 March 03
Caithness Biodiversity Projects
A growing list of projects has been started with help from the biodiversity group.  They cover a diverse range of topics and include a photographic project to assist other groups and businesses on a not-for-profit basis.

10 March 03
Caithness Biodiversity Plan
The full biodiversity plan launched on 22 February 2003 at Dunnet is now available.  The plan outlines what is to be found in Caithness in terms of flora and fauna and the wide variety of habitats as listed by local people.  The plan also identifies some of the opportunities for the future that could help to conserve the biodiversity over the next ten years. 

27 February 03
Caithness Launches Bio-Diversity Plan
The Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan was launched on Saturday 22nd February 2003 at Dunnet.  The launch event was held in the Northern Sands Hotel, attended by 29 people. Highland Biodiversity Project co-ordinator Janet Bromham gave a presentation on the plan itself, followed by a number of presentations from practical biodiversity projects that have received funding over the past year.

26 February 03arch
Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy Published

25 October 2002
Caithness Views Wanted
Local people are being asked for their views on what is special about the wildlife and plantlife of Caithness in response to the consultation on the draft Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan, which was launched today. People will have until the end of November 2002 to tell the Caithness Biodiversity Group what they like about the flora and fauna on their doorstep and what projects they would like to see undertaken to help protect or enhance it. 
Comments are to be sent to Paul Castle, c/o Caithness Ranger Service, Dunnet Pavilion, Dunnet, Caithness by 30 November 2002.  If anyone would like to discuss this further, please either contact Paul on capacastle@btopenworld.com or Janet Bromham janet.bromham@highland.gov.uk  , telephone 01463 702274.

21 August 2002
Biodiversity Week In Caithness
30 August - 8 September 2002
The Ranger Service are running a series of events.

7 August 2002
A Framework For Bio-diversity Highland
Reproduced to let you know what is being looked at.

23 July 2002
Check out Life Peatlands Project
The site has information about the peatlands of the far north and in particular Caithness and Sutherland

12 July 2002
New Biodiverstiy Group For Caithness

16 May 2002
Biodiversity News Issue One