UK Government announces two new marine Special Protection Areas and extensions to four other sites to safeguard rare seabirds …
Nearly 150,000 rare seabirds – including the iconic little tern and black-throated diver – will be better protected as the UK’s ‘Blue Belt’ of marine protected areas extends by over 650 square miles, Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey announced today. Continue reading The Blue Planet effect: UK Blue Belt extended to protect rare seabirds
Ten-year plan to stop decline of pollinating insects
A new strategy has been launched to make Scotland a more pollinator friendly place by protecting indigenous bee and butterfly populations.
Since 1980 the number of pollinating insects in Scotland – honey bees, bumble bees, the solitary bee, butterflies and hoverflies – have declined by an estimated 51%, leading to fears of a negative impact on agriculture, food security, the economy and human health.
The Pollinator Strategy calls for:
Speaking at The Hidden Gardens in Glasgow, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham (pictured above) said: “Scotland’s biodiversity is one of our key assets, and the contribution the humble bumble bee and other pollinators make to this wonderful environment should not be underestimated. That is why we are committed to making Scotland a more pollinator friendly place.
“Pressures like land use change, pesticides, pollution, disease and climate change are threatening these life-giving insects, so we must act now to protect the pollinators and in turn safeguard our environment, our food and in turn our health.”
Scottish Natural Heritage has led the development of the Pollinator Strategy working closely with a range of environmental and land management organisations.
SNH chairman Mike Cantlay said: “Growing evidence shows our native bees and insects that carry out pollination are facing tough times. Pollination is crucial for our environment – and, therefore, our own health, wealth and wellbeing.
“This strategy, a key part of the Scottish Biodiversity 2020 route map, sets out what needs to be done to ensure these bees and insects survive and thrive for generations to come, contributing to healthy ecosystems and landscapes in our country. We look forward to continuing this important work with our partners to strengthen the resilience of our native pollinator species.”
Anaconda found loose in West Pilton!
A four foot-long anaconda was rescued by a street cleaner who found it lying next to a fence in West Pilton Bank last Saturday. Gordon Fraser first thought the yellow snake was a child’s toy – until it moved!
Gordon bravely coaxed the snake into a box and took it back to his depot before contacting the Scottish SPCA.
William, as the snake has been named, is now being cared for at the charity’s Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno. He’s recovering well following three days of treatment at a vets.
Gordon Fraser explained: “I noticed the snake lying behind some cardboard next to a fence and thought it was a toy at first. Then it moved and I realised it was real!
“The snake looked in really poor condition so I tried to coax him into a cardboard box and we took him back to the depot. I’m pretty shocked to find out the snake is an anaconda – my workmates kept telling me not to touch him but I don’t think he would have survived for much longer if I hadn’t helped him.”
The SSPCA is now appealing for information. The charity’s June Chalcroft said: “Yellow anacondas need experienced owners as they are temperamental and will bite. However, William was extremely thin and dehydrated when he was found curled up outside and he didn’t put up a fight.
“We rescue all types of animals, including snakes, but they tend to be smaller species such as corn snakes. It’s extremely rare for a 4ft anaconda to be found in public.
“At this stage we don’t know how he came to be found outside. He may have escaped from home but we also have to consider the possibility he has been abandoned.”
Well, are you missing your pet snake?
Call the SSPCA on 03000 999 999
The Scottish SPCA is asking members of the public to call its animal helpline if they find a hedgehog this winter.
Staff at the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire are currently caring for over 50 hedgehogs, the majority of which are too small and weak to survive outside during the cold weather.
Centre Manager Colin Seddon said, “Hedgehogs should be hibernating bynow but there will be some out there who won’t survive without help. We would be particularly concerned for a hedgehog seen outside during the day and would urge anyone who finds one to call us.
“Most of the hedgehogs in our care haven’t been able to store up the necessary body fat to go into hibernation or are from late litters. Many were half their ideal weight when they were rescued.
“Hedgehogs will be out foraging for food such as earthworms, beetles, slugs, snails, insects, fruit and carrion but they’ll be finding it very difficult at this time of year.
“Anyone trying to contain a hedgehog should pick it up using gardening gloves or a thick towel and place it in a secure box. It can then be left with fresh water and tinned cat food, ideally chicken flavoured, until we arrive.
“Our rescued hedgehogs will be released once they have reached a suitable weight of over 600g and the weather has warmed up to a consistent night time temperature of over four degrees centigrade.”
Anyone who finds a hedgehog this winter is being asked to call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
The Scottish SPCA is urging people to help animals stay safe this winter
Scotland’s animal welfare charity has issued advice to pet owners, farmers and wildlife enthusiasts as the temperature falls.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Freezing weather can be very dangerous for domestic pets, equines, farm animals and wildlife.
“Dog owners should keep their pets on the lead near frozen waterways and people must never go after their dog if it walks out onto the ice. Each year we hear of incidents where people have tried to rescue their pet from a frozen river or lake, often with tragic consequences, and we want both animals and their owners stay safe.
“We would always recommend owners wash their dogs’ feet after they have been walking on gritted roads as salt can be an irritant to the paws and can upset the digestive system if ingested.
“Those with cats should make adequate provisions for them by ensuring they have access to somewhere warm when the temperature drops and all pets kept outdoors will need extra food, bedding and access to unfrozen drinking water. In the worst winter weather, owners of rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals kept in outdoor hutches should move them inside where possible.
“Antifreeze is one of the most common causes of cat poisoning, particularly in the winter months, and can result in a horrific death. We would urge anyone servicing their car to take extra care and ensure any spillages are cleaned up and disposed of properly as it could save an animal’s life.
“Treacherous conditions makes it hard for farmers to monitor their livestock but, again, it is vital they have access to unfrozen drinking water and food.”
Anyone who finds an animal in distress over the winter period is being encouraged to contact the charity for help and advice.
Chief Supt Flynn added, “Last year we dealt with a large number of wildlife casualties such as underweight hedgehogs found struggling to survive and orphaned or injured seal pups.
“Wildlife lovers can feed birds to help them through the winter as their natural food sources will be scarce at this time of year.
“Anyone who spots a distressed animal should call our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Abandoned cockerels need new homes
The Scottish SPCA is appealing to find loving new homes for a number of cockerels in their care. Scotland’s animal welfare charity has seen a rise in the number of cockerels being abandoned.
The most recent incident saw four Transylvanian cockerels dumped in woodland in Biggar, South Lanarkshire. The Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre currently have 11 cockerels looking for new homes.
Assistant centre manager Kenny Sharpe said, “The majority cockerels come into our care after being abandoned.
“People often buy chicks thinking they are hens and unfortunately when they realise they are cockerels they often dump the birds as they don’t lay eggs and can be quite noisy.
“Cockerels are very territorial birds, so ideally we are looking to rehome them singly or in small groups to a home with a number of hens.
“The birds would also need access to a secure run or a fully enclosed garden.
“We’d encourage anyone who thinks they can give any of these birds a fresh start to contact us for further information.”
Anyone who can offer any of the cockerels a new home is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA’s Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
Pictures: SSPCA
A newborn grey seal pup has been rescued by the Scottish SPCA after he fell
into the sea at North Queensferry – and staff expect that young ‘Tiller’ will be the first of many during this pupping season.
Less than a week old and still fully furred, the male grey seal pup was spotted lying on rocks by men working on the new Forth Road crossing. As the men approached the pup he fell off the rocks and into the water.
Grey seal pups cannot swim well until they have lost all their fur so the workmen fished the pup out of the water and called the Scottish SPCA for help. Animal rescue officer Joanna McDaid took the seal to the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross, Alloa, where he is now receiving treatment and care.
Staff have named him Tiller.
Centre manager Colin Seddon said, “Tiller is our first grey seal pup of the season and he’s quite unusual in that he was found in an area that is not a known pupping ground. He could have been washed off the established pupping ground at nearby Inchkeith Island or his mother may have been young and inexperienced.
“It sounds as though he took fright when he was approached and slid off the rocks and into the water which is bad news for a newborn seal pup as their thick fur coats act like a sponge and absorb water so he’s unlikely to have survived on his own for long.
“Thankfully, the men scooped him out of the sea and called us for help. Tiller arrived weighing a healthy 13.5kg for a newborn pup and he’s continued to make good progress in our care. Normally the weight would dip but Tiller has remained steady and has even put on a few pounds recently so we’re feeling positive about his rehabilitation.
“He’s being tube-fed fish soup at the moment and that will continue for the next few weeks until he’s old enough and strong enough to feed himself. He’s currently our only grey seal pup but we’ve no doubt he’ll be joined by many more in the coming weeks and months.”
The SSPCA is urging members of the public to contact its animal helpline if they see a distressed seal pup lying on the shore this winter, adding that they could be doing more harm than good by approaching or picking it up.
Colin continued, “We often receive seal pups that are healthy but have been abandoned by their mothers because someone has disturbed them.
“The mother seal will leave her pup on land while she is out hunting in the water so it’s quite natural to see seal pups lying on the shore line for several hours at a time.
“Our message to the public is, if you see a seal pup and you are concerned for it’s welfare then call our animal helpline for advice or assistance on 03000 999 999 before approaching it.”
Tiller will be cared for at the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre until he is fully fit, feeding himself and at the right weight to be released.
Birdwatchers can get close up and personal with a beautiful bird of prey – without having to leave the comfort of their armchairs
A webcam was mounted in a sparrowhawk nest within the Botanic Gardens on 29 May, and since then there’s been live online video of activity at the nest. This is the third year in succession with live video coming from a sparrowhawk nest in the Garden.
Research is showing that the Garden is a key breeding site for these magnificent birds – the regular successful breeding in the Garden is a reflection of a healthy songbird population in this part of Edinburgh as these small birds make up the key prey items of sparrowhawks.
The project is the result of a partnership involving the Garden, RSPB Scotland, Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group and the Scottish Seabird Centre. RBGE is particularly delighted to see the return of the sparrowhawk in this the Year of Natural Scotland, a celebration of our country’s wildlife and natural assets.
To see the local sparrowhawks in action go to
www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/edinburgh/sparrowhawk-nestcam
RBGE
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Magpie boards London to Edinburgh train!
An injured magpie found by a holidaymaker and smuggled aboard a London to Edinburgh train has been released back into the wild by the Scottish SPCA.
An elderly woman discovered the fledgling being attacked by crows when she was visiting family in the Kilburn area of London and took him in as he was too young to feed himself. The bird lover was still concerned for the magpie when she was due to return to Scotland and decided to take him on the train in her handbag.
She later contacted Scotland’s animal welfare charity and the bird was taken to its National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Clackmannanshire. The Edinburgh woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “The
magpie was very traumatised when I found him. I knew he was too young to feed himself so I took him in and began hand-feeding him. I even nicknamed him ‘Pie’. When I was due to leave he still wasn’t self-feeding, so I cleared out my handbag and popped him inside.
“I don’t think anyone on the train realised I had a baby magpie with me. My family have always looked after birds and I initially thought Pie wouldn’t survive, which was really upsetting. People have always said I’m eccentric and I’m sure they’d think that even more so if they knew about this! I’m so happy to hear he’s been released and I’m very grateful to the Scottish SPCA for helping him, they’ve done a fantastic job.”
SSPCA Centre manager Colin Seddon said: “Usually we advise people to leave fledglings alone, but in this case the magpie was being attacked by other birds and had sustained injuries. We’d recommend anyone who finds a bird in need of help to contact an animal rescue organisation such as ourselves for advice and assistance. While it was certainly unusual to take the magpie on the train, this lady had taken very good care of him and it’s clear she must care a great deal about birds. The magpie made a fantastic recovery and it was wonderful to release him back into the wild fit and healthy after his rather long journey.”
Will Pie choose to stay in Scotland or will he head back down south? Will the referendum issue affect his decision? Sadly, we’ll never know!
Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed animal should call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
Pictures courtesy of SSPCA
