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, …
On Saturday 22nd September thousands of people went to Hyde Park in London to join the People’s Walk for Wildlife to demonstrate support for action to reverse the collapse in nature going on all around us. Organised by Chris Packham and others, the event was held in order to highlight that not enough is being …
The Badgers at Brodick Castle by Jackie Kemp, Arran Ranger Although badgers are found throughout the United Kingdom, they are not native to the Isle of Arran. So, when did they arrive and where did they come from? Articles dating from the end of the 19th century indicate badgers were introduced to Glen Sannox around …
One of our readers writes: Whilst out on a walk one of my dogs raised her head and set off to see what was at the end of the sniff – and there it was. I managed to get 5 pictures in total and the otter slumbered throughout. It did wake up after about 5 …