The National Trust for Scotland is creating a series of online guides for different areas they manage in Scotland, and the one included here is for some of the wildlife to look out for if you are lucky enough to be walking on Goatfell! The wildest and highest parts of Arran are also home to …
Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill. How can we protect the Inshore Waters and their communities? 30X30: A Blueprint for Ocean Protection By Sally Campbell This Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 17 June 2020. Sadly however, the vote to support the Wildlife Crime Bill Amendment 61 as proposed by …
By Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North On 17 June I was pleased to vote in favour of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill. Acting to stop animal cruelty is important to many people and I received hundreds of emails from constituents urging me to support specific amendments to the Bill. …
Some of us might have a bit more time on our hands due to the lockdown, so here are a number of things you can do for wildlife around your home and garden if you do have the time. You can download the PDF of this post here (including images!). To do in the garden …
Lockdown is for the birds – but a radio station is asking you to record the sounds now you can hear them! It seems lockdown really is for the birds! As the number of vehicles on the roads decreases, it’s much easier to hear the songs, twitters and warbling of our feathered friends. For some …
By Sally Campbell The world’s oceans take up more than a quarter of the carbon humans are emitting into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, partially mitigating the greenhouse effect of that carbon. The Southern Ocean accounts for nearly 40 percent of this marine carbon absorption, even though it makes up only one-fifth of Earth’s ocean …
The Arran Banner reported recently (28th December 2019) on the journey of a short-eared owl between Arran and Morocco. This owl is part of the Short-eared owl Tracking project that the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)https://www.bto.org runs, and which we find out more about below. The project is a fascinating and important way to understand …
By Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North. I am sure you have felt the effects of this winter’s often terrible weather. In December, high winds and heavy rain meant ferry cancellations, fallen trees, closed Christmas markets and warmer winter jackets that on occasion left us feeling decidedly un-festive. For some, it is harder to cope …
A report from local MSP Kenneth Gibson In February, the SNP Government announced that the Eurasian or European beaver will be added to the list of European Protected Species of Animals, protected under Scottish law. This means that from 01 May 2019, shooting will only be allowed under licence, which will be managed by Scottish …
The new squirrel hide that was set up in Brodick castle gardens over the summer has thrilled visitors, providing both a great place for some of the island’s squirrels to feed and play, and a brilliant viewing place to watch the creatures feisty antics. While Arran’s red squirrel population can thrive in relative undisturbed safety, …