The Shaint Isles in the Outer Hebrides has now been declared officially rat-free, thanks to a four-year partnership project.  A month-long check in February found no signs of rats, and there haven’t been any for two years.  This is brilliant news for the vast colonies of seabirds there. The EU LIFE+funded Shaints seabird recovery project started  in 2014 and is a partnership between the Nicolson family, Scottish National Heritage (SNH) and RSPB Scotland.  It benefited as well from the help of volunteers and donations.  Over the last four years, the project has focused on making the islands a safe place for seabirds to raise their chicks by removing the non-native…

Please sign these three petitions: Ban driven grouse shooting by Gavin Gamble.  In favour of banning driven grouse shooting to stop illegal bird of prey persecutions and reduce flood risk.  Signatures:  34541 License driven grouse shooting by Ed Hutchings.  In favour of licensing grouse shooting to help stop raptor persecutions and end poor practice on moorlands.  Supported by the RSPB.  Signatures:  12210 Strengthen the 2004 Hunting Act by Robert Hownall.  In favour of strengthening the 2004 Hunting Act to stop illegal hare coursing and killings of foxes with hounds in hunts.  Signatures: 15948 Don’t sign: Don’t ban driven grouse shooting by Jane Griggs.  In favour of not banning driven grouse…

A satellite-tagged golden eagle called Fred disappeared on a grouse moor in the Pentland hills near Edinborough’s bypass on 21st January when his tag stopped working at 10pm.  After a while, the tag mysteriously started working again away from land in the north sea.  It is unusual for golden eagles to travel out to see for no reason so it is highly suspected that there was a persecution of this bird of prey.  The bird was tagged by Chris Packham and was named Fred after the landowner’s grandson.  A report commissioned by the Scottish government last year found that 41 of 131 tagged golden eagles disappeared in suspicious circumstances in…