Scottish Mink Initiative continues mink monitoring and removal

Details
Written by Gus Jones
Category: Meetings
Published: 21 June 2011
Scottish Mink Initiative continues mink monitoring and removal
 
The Scottish Mink Initiative (SMI) is looking for people to join over 200 volunteers in the monitoring and removal of breeding American mink.  The SMI covers over 20,000 hectares of north Scotland and the Highlands, and incorporates the previous water vole conservation projects.
 
As the new work area is much larger than before, new volunteers are being sought to monitor mink rafts every fortnight and report on any footprints found.  Equipment, training and support are provided by the Initiative through local Officers.
 
The Initiative is being carried out in partnership by the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS), Scottish Wildlife Trust, the University of Aberdeen, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and more than 16 other organisations.
 
The £920,000 funding has been awarded in recognition of the huge impact American mink have on native wildlife.  Species which are particularly at risk are those which mink find easiest to catch; populations of water voles have been found be disappear from areas which mink have colonised and birds such as curlew and oyster catchers are vulnerable as mink catch adults as they sit on the nest and raid nests to eat the eggs.
 
If you would like to find out more about the Initiative and how you can get involved, please contact Cat Robinson at either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 07825 185178.

The Scottish Mink Initiative (SMI) is looking for people to join over 200 volunteers in the monitoring and removal of breeding American mink.  The SMI covers over 20,000 hectares of north Scotland and the Highlands, and incorporates the previous water vole conservation projects.

mink tracks and scats 1 20110623 1679096354

As the new work area is much larger than before, new volunteers are being sought to monitor mink rafts every fortnight and report on any footprints found.  Equipment, training and support are provided by the Initiative through local Officers.

The Initiative is being carried out in partnership by the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS), Scottish Wildlife Trust, the University of Aberdeen, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and more than 16 other organisations.  

The £920,000 funding has been awarded in recognition of the huge impact American mink have on native wildlife.  Species which are particularly at risk are those which mink find easiest to catch; populations of water voles have been found be disappear from areas which mink have colonised and birds such as curlew and oyster catchers are vulnerable as mink catch adults as they sit on the nest and raid nests to eat the eggs.

If you would like to find out more about the Initiative and how you can get involved, please contact Cat Robinson at either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 07825 185178.

Illustrated talk: Discovering Lichens in the Highlands - 31 March

Details
Written by Tessa Jones
Category: Meetings
Published: 20 March 2011
Illustrated talk  by Dave Genney, 7.30pm on 31 March, Nethybridge Church Hall.  Everyone Welcome.
 
The next meeting of the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group is an illustrated talk on ‘Discovering Lichens of the Highlands’ by Dr Dave Genney. This will take place on Thursday March 31 at 7.30 in Nethy Bridge Church Hall. Scotland has a remarkable 1,500 species of lichen and their abundance and variety makes them internationally important. They grow in an enormous range of habitats from the seashore to the high tops, including in extreme environments hostile to many other forms of life.
 
Dave Genney is Scottish Natural Heritage’s lichen specialist. He made the exciting find of a new lichen for Scotland when he came across the black beaded lichen in the west highlands.
 
Lichens are sensitive indicators of pollution, food for reindeer and nesting material for  birds. They were once commercially important for traditional dyeing in Scotland, giving rise to the proverb ‘Cattle on the hills, Gold on the rocks’.
 
The meeting is open to everyone and non members are welcome.

Illustrated talk  by Dave Genney, 7.30pm on 31 March, Nethybridge Church Hall.  Everyone Welcome.

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The nationally scarce dog lichen 'Peltigera britannica'. 
Photo: © 2010 Stewart Taylor.

The next meeting of the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group is an illustrated talk on ‘Discovering Lichens of the Highlands’ by Dr Dave Genney. This will take place on Thursday March 31 at 7.30 in Nethy Bridge Church Hall. Scotland has a remarkable 1,500 species of lichen and their abundance and variety makes them internationally important. They grow in an enormous range of habitats from the seashore to the high tops, including in extreme environments hostile to many other forms of life.

Dave Genney is Scottish Natural Heritage’s lichen specialist. He made the exciting find of a new lichen for Scotland when he came across the black beaded lichen in the west highlands.

Lichens are sensitive indicators of pollution, food for reindeer and nesting material for  birds. They were once commercially important for traditional dyeing in Scotland, giving rise to the proverb ‘Cattle on the hills, Gold on the rocks’.

The meeting is open to everyone and non members are welcome.

Please print and display Event Poster.

Illustrated Talks: Guassa Geladas & Bwindi Gorillas

Details
Written by Administrator
Category: Meetings
Published: 21 February 2011
Open Public Meeting
Illustrated Talks
By Claire Dunn and Roy Brown
 
‘Guassa  Geladas & Bwindi Gorillas

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Open Public Meeting, Illustrated Talks By Claire Dunn: Guassa Geladas and Roy Brown: Bwindi Mountin Gorillas.

Wednesday 23rd February 7.30 pm, Nethybridge Church Hall.

Admission Free.  All Welcome.

Open Public Meeting
Illustrated Talks
By Claire Dunn and Roy Brown
 
‘Guassa  Geladas & Bwindi Goril

Help Mary Scanlon MSP know the environment is a top concern

Details
Written by Administrator
Category: Debates
Published: 18 February 2011

mary scanlon msp 20110218 1566161829

We urge Highland Ward 21 voters to let  Mary Scanlon  Highland list MSP know the environment is a top concern by completing this short feedback form.

CNPA says appeal will cost the taxpayer

Details
Written by Administrator
Category: Debates
Published: 31 January 2011

Taxpayer faces bill for appeal (PDF link)
Strathspey and Badenoch Herald, 26 January 2011
The chairman of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's planning committe has said that a legal challenge to thier planning blueprint will cost the taxpayer.