A lot of research work now focuses on the resilience of woodlands and forests in the light of climate change, that is their ability to cope with conditions like drier, hotter summers and/or warmer/wetter winters. It has generally been assumed that trees at the limit of their range in dry regions would be most affected […]
We purchased Knox Wood in August 2023, part of Boltonmuir Wood, an old woodland site on fairly boggy ground in East Lothian. Our five acres are split 50% almost pure birch (Silver and Downy) regenerating [about 20 years old] and 50% mature Scots Pine that is well thinned over mixed natural regeneration. All of the […]
The diet of bees has changed over the years. In the past, bees were able to forage and collect pollen and nectar from a variety of plants. With the spread of highly mechanised agriculture, increasing urbanisation and road network - now their options are somewhat limited. Large fields of monocultures, for example, of oil […]
There are now more deer in the UK than there have been for 1,000 years. Probably between 650,000 and 2,000,000, of which about half live in Scotland. Dormice like sleeping and can sleep for up to 7 months a year. UK woodlands are home to half the world’s flowering bluebells. There are 15,000 species […]
NaturScot is Scotland’s nature agency. It monitors and reports on all aspects of the natural environment. It has published a report on its terrestrial bird breeding species and it is a somewhat mixed report. Some of the most ‘famous’ species associated with Scotland, such as the black grouse have declined significantly during the period of […]
Out for a walk after the various festivities? Perhaps you might be able to help the People’s Trust for Endangered Species by undertaking a hedgerow survey. Across the UK there are many, many hedgerows. Hedgerows can Provide shelter, homes, perches for a variety of animals, Food for mammals, birds and invertebrates in the form […]