Naturescot

Agriculture accounts for 70 per cent of land use in Scotland, and according to NatureScot’s Farming with Nature Programme Manager, Daniel Gotts, the sector must now become a main driver of nature restoration.

Bylaws are regulations set by local councils, the National Trust, and government conservation bodies like Natural England, NatureScot, Natural Resources Wales, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Counts are ongoing, but NatureScot said initial observations from some of the main sites in Shetland suggested "significant breeding population declines" for great skuas.

Des Thompson of NatureScot discussing the formation of microtopography with the assessors and project team.

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said: “As we tackle the devastating nature and climate crisis, it’s crucial we take bold action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and reduce the effects of climate change.

The NatureScot report, published on Tuesday, analysed the unprecedented avian flu outbreak among wild birds since 2021, providing advice to support the work of Scotland’s avian flu task force.

The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project is supported by a grant from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF), led by NatureScot and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

A spokesperson for NatureScot said: “We want to make sure there are events that work for everyone, so we have arranged a full schedule of both formal consultation events and drop-in surgeries throughout Dumfries and Galloway.

Is NatureScot part of the campaign?

NatureScot, which issues lethal control licences, has so far failed to lead on beaver relocations to its national nature reserves.

Others are firmly against the plans Cllr Drysdale added: “The GNPA state ‘A National Park Made In Galloway For Galloway,’ yet the vast majority of residents feel the NatureScot consultation is flawed and does not meet the national standards of engagement.

The deadline for nominations for a new National Park is February 29. They will then be appraised before a detailed investigation is carried out by NatureScot.

Jane Dodd, NatureScot marine operations officer, said: “We have been observing and monitoring the egg for a year-and-a-half so to see it hatch successfully and be released back into the ocean was a wonderful moment.

Over 1,000 people were asked whether they agreed or disagreed that NatureScot should relocate beavers before considering authorising their killing.

The flapper skate egg was looked after by staff from NatureScot and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams), and recently hatched at the Sams aquarium just outside Oban.