Wildlife

There are thought to be less than five or 10 Kookaburras in the entire UK.

4

'How cool is that?': Rare bird that 'shouldn't be here' spotted in Scottish town

Ospreys are a protected species in Scotland and it is illegal to kill one

Ospreys are a protected species in Scotland and it is illegal to kill one

Police Scotland

4

Police probe after osprey illegally shot in Scottish glen

White-tailed sea eagles on the Isle of Mull

White-tailed sea eagles on the Isle of Mull

4

Eagles on Scottish island spotted showing 'unprecedented' caring behaviour

A BBC news report on ospreys omitted any mention of the hundreds of birds living in Scotland

A BBC news report on ospreys omitted any mention of the hundreds of birds living in Scotland

28

'What?': Confusion as BBC completely forgets Scotland in News at One report

The well-known whales belong to Scotland's only known resident pod of Orcas and are named John Coe and Aquarius

The well-known whales belong to Scotland's only known resident pod of Orcas and are named John Coe and Aquarius

2

'A special moment': Spectacular footage shows Orca duo off the Scottish coast

The 88-acre private island is located approximately two miles from Old Dorney Harbour, around 30-minute boat ride, and is for sale for offers over £500,000

The 88-acre private island is located approximately two miles from Old Dorney Harbour, around 30-minute boat ride, and is for sale for offers over £500,000

Highlands & Islands

Private Scottish island with bespoke eco cabin put up for sale

Fears have been raised for red squirrels after a case of squirrelpox was found north of the central belt

Fears have been raised for red squirrels after a case of squirrelpox was found north of the central belt

'Major threat': Fears for Scotland's red squirrels as pox found north of central belt

New laws to regulate the grouse shooting industry have passed at Holyrood

New laws to regulate the grouse shooting industry have passed at Holyrood

6

'Gamechanging' Scottish wildlife bill passed final vote at Holyrood

The bird is a Myrtle Warbler similar to that pictured

The bird is a Myrtle Warbler similar to that pictured

Birders flock to Scottish town after 'mega rare' bird spotted in garden

Image of a peregrine falcon in flight

Image of a peregrine falcon in flight

Police Scotland

Scottish man guilty of illegally selling chicks of fastest bird on earth

A monkey remains on the loose from Highland Wildlife Park

A monkey remains on the loose from Highland Wildlife Park

Highland Wildlife Park

1

Drones 'chase escaped monkey in Highlands for 45 minutes' but no capture

Foxed will no longer face death by strangulation

Foxed will no longer face death by strangulation

1

Full ban on snares that kill foxes shows Holyrood leading by example

Four families of beavers are to be trapped and released into new areas in Scotland

Four families of beavers are to be trapped and released into new areas in Scotland

1

Beavers to be released in two new Scottish locations after licences approved

Martyn Day joined parliamentarians from across the house to demonstrate in support of the bill outside Westminster

Martyn Day joined parliamentarians from across the house to demonstrate in support of the bill outside Westminster

3

SNP MP accuses peers of 'thwarting' trophy hunting bill with time-wasting tactics

Snares are often used by gamekeepers to protect birds like pheasants, but can lead to slow and painful deaths for trapped animals

Snares are often used by gamekeepers to protect birds like pheasants, but can lead to slow and painful deaths for trapped animals

6

Scottish Government's wildlife reforms go 'above and beyond', says pest controller

Dog owners are being warned after a pooch passed away following a snake bite in Weymouth.

Dog owners are being warned after a pooch passed away following a snake bite in Weymouth.

3

Snake warning as dog dies after bite in park

A review has investigated whether the SSPCA should be given more powers over wildlife crime

A review has investigated whether the SSPCA should be given more powers over wildlife crime

1

Minister 'open to closing wildlife crime loopholes' following review of SSPCA powers

Puffin Cove on the NC500 is one of the best places on the UK mainland to spot Atlantic Puffins

Puffin Cove on the NC500 is one of the best places on the UK mainland to spot Atlantic Puffins

North Coast 500

3

How to visit Puffin Cove on the NC500 and see the iconic birds

Capercaillie numbers in Scotland are showing early signs of recovery, experts say

Capercaillie numbers in Scotland are showing early signs of recovery, experts say

1

Signs of recovery for endangered population of iconic Scottish bird, experts say

Sss-sensation! Seagull shows no fear as it gobbles up adder near Vikingar!

Sss-sensation! Seagull shows no fear as it gobbles up adder near Vikingar!

11

Seagull spotted gobbling up Scotland's sole venomous snake for breakfast

The webcam at Loch Arkaig captured the moment an owl and an osprey fought

The webcam at Loch Arkaig captured the moment an owl and an osprey fought

2

Webcam captures osprey fighting owl as egg is lost from Scots nest

The sad sight of badgers killed on the roads is not uncommon

The sad sight of badgers killed on the roads is not uncommon

Protecting nature from the impact of human activity is a major challenge

In Europe, ospreys are threatened in most of their former range and are only now recovering.

In Europe, ospreys are threatened in most of their former range and are only now recovering.

1

Famous osprey lays first egg in Perthshire

It is hoped the new platforms will help the birds return to areas where they once thrived

It is hoped the new platforms will help the birds return to areas where they once thrived

1

Artificial nests built in bid to help save golden eagles

The charges related to the reckless use of illegal poison resulted in the deaths of 15 birds, including five red kites.

The charges related to the reckless use of illegal poison resulted in the deaths of 15 birds, including five red kites.

5

Pensioner who killed protected red kites and other birds due to be sentenced

A sparrowhawk was killed by a gamekeeper employed by the Moy Estate

A sparrowhawk was killed by a gamekeeper employed by the Moy Estate

Grouse shooting

11

Scots gamekeeper pleads guilty after video shows him killing protected raptor

Scottish Wildcats Ordie and Ruthven

Scottish Wildcats Ordie and Ruthven

8

First ever Scottish wildcats to be released into Highlands in conservation bid

The lynx is even more timid of humans than the wolf, so poses little direct threat to us

The lynx is even more timid of humans than the wolf, so poses little direct threat to us

Petty nimbyism about the rights of cows and sheep should be questioned

Ospreys NC0 and LM12 returned to their Perthshire nest on March 17

Ospreys NC0 and LM12 returned to their Perthshire nest on March 17

1

Breeding pair of ospreys return to Scottish nest on same day for first time

Fig the beaver was found on a Perthshire roadside having been shot in the face

Fig the beaver was found on a Perthshire roadside having been shot in the face

9

'Horrific': Beaver in recovery after being found shot in face on Scottish road

Thor the walrus could pop up somewhere on the Scottish coast, an expert has said

Thor the walrus could pop up somewhere on the Scottish coast, an expert has said

Thor the Walrus

Thor the walrus 'could pop up' in Scotland soon, expert says

A walrus named 'Thor' has been delighting locals on the east coast of England ... and he looks to be heading north

A walrus named 'Thor' has been delighting locals on the east coast of England ... and he looks to be heading north

Thor the Walrus

1

Could Thor be coming to Scotland? Wandering walrus heads north

Tory MP Sir Bill Wiggin, right, said a ban on hunting trophy imports would be 'racist'

Tory MP Sir Bill Wiggin, right, said a ban on hunting trophy imports would be 'racist'

Conservative Party

2

Tory MP claims ban on hunting trophy imports is 'racist' as bill passes first hurdle

People have been recording second flowerings among horse chestnut trees due to the unseasonal warm weather

People have been recording second flowerings among horse chestnut trees due to the unseasonal warm weather

1

Unseasonal warm weather may be confusing wildlife, charity warns

Helen Logan captured the amazing sight on October 2

Helen Logan captured the amazing sight on October 2

2

Photographer captures amazing pictures of dolphin pod near Arran

The capercaillie is at real risk of extinction in the UK, with only 542 of the birds estimated to be left in Scotland

The capercaillie is at real risk of extinction in the UK, with only 542 of the birds estimated to be left in Scotland

5

Capercaillie at risk of extinction as numbers plummet by 50 per cent

Dr Nienke van Geel, and a Humpback Whale's fluke, photographed by Haoxi Wang on Unsplash

Dr Nienke van Geel, and a Humpback Whale's fluke, photographed by Haoxi Wang on Unsplash

7

Scientists spent one year listening to Scotland's whales. Here's what they heard

This adorable photo of a puppy meeting a lamb was sent to our sister paper The Scottish Farmer by Sarah Bateman

This adorable photo of a puppy meeting a lamb was sent to our sister paper The Scottish Farmer by Sarah Bateman

Photos of the week

Photos of the week

Lambs, lightning strikes, and Bond cars: the best photos of the last week

Green MSP welcomes ‘common sense’ decision against eagle culls

Green MSP welcomes ‘common sense’ decision against eagle culls

1

Green MSP welcomes ‘common sense’ decision against eagle culls

Scotland's salmon may be struggling to breed in the hotter waters

Scotland's salmon may be struggling to breed in the hotter waters

1

With Scotland's salmon catch at a record low, how can we reverse the decline?

Henley Spiers took this shot of a gannet seconds after it dived off the Shetland Islands

Henley Spiers took this shot of a gannet seconds after it dived off the Shetland Islands

1

Scottish seabird snap earns £100k grand prize in global photography contest

Drone footage has showed killer whales hunting for a seal off Shetland. Photos: Nick McCaffrey

Drone footage has showed killer whales hunting for a seal off Shetland. Photos: Nick McCaffrey

'Extra special' drone footage sees killer whales hunt seal in Shetland mussel farm

Experts are warning people to keep away from the creatures as they can sting even after they are dead

Experts are warning people to keep away from the creatures as they can sting even after they are dead

3

Warning as deadly jellyfish-like creatures wash up on Scotland's west coast

It is estimated that more than 1000 gannets have been found dead

It is estimated that more than 1000 gannets have been found dead

2

Alarm sounded over scores of seabird deaths in Scotland

Proper surveying needs to take account of the fact that mountain hares are more active at night

Proper surveying needs to take account of the fact that mountain hares are more active at night

It’s far too early to report a rise in the number of mountain hares

Minister welcomes increased sightings of ‘iconic’ mountain hares

Minister welcomes increased sightings of ‘iconic’ mountain hares

Minister welcomes increased sightings of ‘iconic’ mountain hares

Could long-vanished species one day return to Scotland?

Could long-vanished species one day return to Scotland?

9

Could long-vanished species one day return to Scotland?

Two white-tailed sea eagles, Shona and Finn, are incubating two eggs at their nest in the Cairngorms

Two white-tailed sea eagles, Shona and Finn, are incubating two eggs at their nest in the Cairngorms

1

'UK first' as hidden camera shows nest of Scotland's largest bird of prey

Scottish Gamekeepers Association chairman Alex Hogg

Scottish Gamekeepers Association chairman Alex Hogg

Rise in wildlife crime in Scotland as Government pledges to strengthen law

Internationally important reefs around Loch Creran have been harmed by pesticides used in Salmon farming

Internationally important reefs around Loch Creran have been harmed by pesticides used in Salmon farming

1

Probe under way into claims of fish farm loch pollution damaging rare wildlife

Male osprey LM12 brings a fish back to the nest on the Loch of the Lowes where his partner NC0 waits. Photos courtesy of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Male osprey LM12 brings a fish back to the nest on the Loch of the Lowes where his partner NC0 waits. Photos courtesy of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

1

Joy as ospreys are reunited at their Scottish home after winter apart

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) are to host a course in how to rescue whale, dolphins and seals

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) are to host a course in how to rescue whale, dolphins and seals

1

Volunteers to learn how to rescue dolphins and whales in the Highlands

The Scottish Government has published its Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill

The Scottish Government has published its Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill

7

Public must take action over Scottish Government's dog hunting bill

Golden eagle numbers have reached new highs in the south of Scotland

Golden eagle numbers have reached new highs in the south of Scotland

2

Golden eagle numbers in the south of Scotland hit highs not seen for 200 years