NatureScot
@NatureScot
Followers
43,223
Following
729
Media
9,058
Statuses
22,586
Scotland’s nature agency. We work to protect and improve our natural environment in Scotland. #N àdarAlba #MakeSpaceForNature
Scotland
Joined June 2010
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
Mother's Day
• 1167929 Tweets
Arsenal
• 355563 Tweets
Feliz Dia
• 309445 Tweets
Mães
• 264314 Tweets
Moms
• 259220 Tweets
#鬼滅の刃
• 173388 Tweets
Manchester United
• 110617 Tweets
NAYEON
• 90107 Tweets
#MUNARS
• 69554 Tweets
Saka
• 47175 Tweets
Casemiro
• 45796 Tweets
Karagümrük
• 41651 Tweets
Old Trafford
• 37759 Tweets
Man U
• 32490 Tweets
ヒロアカ
• 32366 Tweets
Amad
• 30586 Tweets
Garnacho
• 28526 Tweets
Evans
• 26647 Tweets
Arapça
• 25556 Tweets
Antony
• 23445 Tweets
Arteta
• 22643 Tweets
Trossard
• 22530 Tweets
Hojlund
• 18909 Tweets
ارسنال
• 15321 Tweets
Onana
• 14686 Tweets
Amrabat
• 14104 Tweets
Partey
• 13846 Tweets
アニオリ
• 11762 Tweets
伊黒さん
• 11084 Tweets
We have granted a licence to the Saving Wildcats partnership to release wildcats in the Cairngorms National Park later this year. This marks the first-ever conservation translocation of wildcats in Britain.
📸 ©Saving Wildcats
34
316
2K
After successful reintroductions in the 70s & 90s, there are now more than 150 pairs of sea eagles in
#Scotland
- our largest bird of prey and the fourth largest
#eagle
species in the world. Seen this year over Loch Lomond for the first time in 100+ years.
#NatureScot
12
120
578
We're gutted that the beautiful hide at our Loch Leven nature reserve has been destroyed in a deliberate fire. The hide has brought people so much joy over the years as a special place to connect with nature. Anyone with info pls contact Police Scotland:
107
332
549
This fantastic photo was taken by John Orr who works for us in Inverness - and we love it! A few-weeks-old bottlenose dolphin breaching with mum (probably) at Chanonry Point. We don't often get to see a calf so young.
#Scotland
#nature
#dolphins
#cetaceans
7
163
498
Happy New Year! Today also marks the first day of Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 - we're so excited to celebrate our wonderful coasts, waters & wildlife throughout the year! Keep an eye out for lots of exciting
#naturescot
projects & news for
#YCW2020
!
@VisitScotland
4
94
468
One of the nicest Gaelic words for snow has no direct equivalent in English. It is generally applicable only in very cold weather, when spiandagan (a few snowflakes floating in the wind) are to be seen. If snow is falling very lightly, it's tha e a’ spianadh an t-sneachda.
9
90
443
📢Announcement: Scotland's nature agency has officially rebranded from Scottish Natural Heritage to NatureScot with ambitious plans for transformative change to secure a nature-rich future for Scotland.
#NatureScot
#MakeSpaceforNature
37
142
388
Q. Why does ptarmigan begin with that weird P, when its name comes from the
#Gaelic
, tàrmachan?
A. In the 1600s some busybody believing the word derived from the Greek ptero (“feather” or “wing”), stuck it there to reflect the origin it doesn't have.
#NatureScot
#etymology
15
104
363
Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve is one of the finest examples of woodland regeneration in Scotland with native trees returning to the lower slopes & creeping up the mountain, providing a home for many species. Deer management has been crucial to this success (1/5)
7
67
308
Today the Scottish Government has announced its support for the expansion of beavers in Scotland, allowing beavers to be moved to areas outside their current range in Scotland & continued support to those who experience any negative effects on their land
9
61
309
Are you looking at me? Only around 4% of the Isle of May's population of guillemots have this distinctive white-eye ring, which gives the impression that the bird is wearing a pair of spectacles! These birds are known as bridled guillemots. Read more:
4
29
288
We've restricted the use of general licences on an estate in South Lanarkshire this week. The decision was made on the basis of evidence of wildlife crime against birds from
@policescotland
. For more info, see
14
60
276
Happy
#IntlForestDay
! Did you know Scotland has its very own rainforest? It's as important as tropical rainforest, but even rarer. Located on the west coast
#ScotlandsRainforest
is home to some of the world’s rarest bryophytes and lichens. Find out more:
4
73
272
Great news! A critically endangered flapper skate has been successfully cared for & hatched in captivity in what's thought to be a world first for the species. The skate, looked after by
@nature_scot
@SAMSoceannews
, has been released into the sea:
#YCW2020
2
99
262
Did you know that robins change their song at the end of summer? The autumn song is softer and more wistful in tone – listen out for it when you’re next out and about
#scotnature
3
52
254
Efforts to save wildcat in Scotland have been given huge boost, with UK's first-ever release of wildcats at the Cairngorms National Park. We’re proud to be
@SaveOurWildcats
project partners and we'll keep working to help restore this species👇🐯
📸
@rzss
0
25
243
White tailed eagles have returned to Loch Lomond for the first time in over a century. 🦅
We're working with
@lomondtrossachs
&
@RSPBScotland
to protect the native birds & minimise disturbance so they might stay & breed in future years.
Read the story:
5
43
236
Great news - the beautiful & unusual lichen Multiclavula corynoides has been discovered for the 1st time in Britain! Sometimes known as Club-wielding Crust Lichen, it was found by our lichen expert
@davidgenney
when mountain biking around Ben Wyvis.
8
60
233
Woodland cover at our beautiful Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve (NNR) has increased by 41% since 1951. Deer management has been vital to this success, which requires keeping deer populations low enough to allow young trees the chance to grow (1/5)
5
63
225
An iconic upland species, mountain hares are famed for their camouflage. Look at this one in its winter coat - they change to almost completely white to camouflage with snow – only their ear tips stay black. 📸 ©Lorne Gill/SNH
#NatureScot
9
37
227
NatureScot has today approved a licence application from
@RSPBScotland
to release a family of beavers at Aber Burn in the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. The decision marks the third new site approved for the release of beavers in Scotland. Read more:
5
67
227
A big welcome to our new
@ukwildlifecrime
specialist covering all of Scotland, PC Gavin Ross, who will be tackling raptor persecution, poaching and hare coursing as his top priorities
14
22
220
What an exciting first week it has been at our Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve with the
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
team - too much excitement perhaps for this red squirrel caught taking a nap in the sun earlier today! Tune in for all the latest on BBC2 at 8pm.
3
33
224
One of the benefits of the days getting shorter is how much easier it is to catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset! This one's a stunner over Kilmory Glen towards the Isle of Skye, taken from the Isle of Rum. We'd LOVE to see your sunrise or sunset pictures - please share them!
23
44
221
Fantastic news! The population of golden eagles has doubled in South Scotland with the release of eight chicks from the Scottish Highlands to a secret location in the southern uplands, as part of the Southern Scotland Golden Eagle Project:
9
38
201
A little peak of the beauty of Scotland's John Muir Way today on
#JohnMuirDay
. " Find out more about the Way at
1
25
198
Great news! 🦫 We've licensed the first new site for the release of beavers in Scotland since Knapdale today at Argaty. More info at
7
25
197
It's almost
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
time again folks! With Storm Aiden battering the Isle of May it's been a dramatic weekend for the island's seal pups, including this brand new addition to the colony 😍 Tune in at 8pm on BBC2 for all the latest.
1
12
193
We have taken the difficult decision to close our Isle of May and Noss National Nature Reserves (NNRs) to public landings from 1 July to help protect vulnerable seabird populations from avian influenza. For more info please see:
4
47
196
For its size Scotland, is one of the most geologically diverse countries on Earth. Almost every period of geological time is represented in the rock record preserved on land and in our coastal waters.
Find out more about Scotland's geodiversity here:
6
84
190
This wee ball of fluff is an arctic tern chick on Isle of May. Arctic terns undergo the longest migration of any species on the planet. Their massive journey from the Antarctica summer to the Arctic summer throughout the year covers about 22,000 miles.
#bringingnaturetoyou
1
29
187
We have today approved a licence application from
@cairngormsnews
to release up to 6 beaver families at sites in the upper River Spey catchment. The decision will increase the current range of beavers in Scotland as set out in Scotland's Beaver Strategy:
5
48
189
Did you know UK seal colonies pup in a clockwise direction? Pups appear on the Welsh islands in Aug with North Sea colonies not starting until mid-Sep. Our Isle of May NNR kicks things off on the east coast followed by Northumberland & North Norfolk.
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
2
26
181
In light of the avian flu outbreak we're asking members of the public not to take access through seabird colonies for the rest of the breeding season to limit spread of the virus and give colonies the best possible opportunity of survival & recovery by reducing additional stress.
2
95
179
Exciting news! An extremely rare, red-listed seabird, a roseate tern, has raised its chick on the Isle of May – a clear sign that conservation action on the nature reserve is working!
#scotnature
3
35
177
Here's something you don't see everyday! A pair of pine martens making the most of the empty roads while we humans
#stayhome
. Thanks Patrick.
#bringingnaturetoyou
#ScotNature
1
38
178
The magnificent shape of Suilven, Assynt, bathed in evening light. Is this Scotland's finest mountain? It might not be possible to get to the mountains at the moment but we'd love to see pics of your favourite!
#bringingnaturetoyou
#stayhome
#staysafe
10
18
172
This is lovely Scarista Beach on the magical Isle of Harris. The island is known for its sandy beaches on the west, rugged mountains in the north & an area of miniature fjords, the Bays - with amazing geology - in the east.
#stayhome
#bringingnaturetoyou
#NatureScot
7
16
174
We're big fans of eider ducks. And they seem to be fans of one our favourite places too - the Isle of May national nature reserve, where they're pictured here, having a rest with a view. Find out more about the fantastic Isle of May at
0
27
173
When an animal swims, runs or flies away from you, it uses valuable energy - making it harder to survive the winter.
Keep your distance and have your dog under control to avoid this.
More tips:
#KnowTheCode
#RespectProtectEnjoy
📸 Lorne Gill/NatureScot
1
65
172
Last grey seal pup update! 😭 It's been wonderful to have the
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
team on our Isle of May National Nature Reserve ‐ we hope everyone has enjoyed following all the drama of the colony over the past few weeks!
1
21
169
The colours of the autumn leaves have been just wonderful this year, so vibrant. Here are a few of our favourite shots - we'd love to see yours!
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
5
28
168
🎞️Great footage from our operations officer, Crispin. He spotted some lovely otter (Lutra lutra) swimming close to our Galashiels office earlier today. Scotland has a population of circa 8,000. Learn more facts at
#ScotNature
2
27
165
Scottish folklore tells of shapeshifting creatures that can change from a seal at sea to human form on land by casting off their seal skin. In many such stories one of these “selkies” is forced to stay on land when their seal skin is stolen & hidden!
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
3
22
166
The twinflower is the county flower of Inverness-shire. One of our smallest native flowers, in the UK, it is only found at about 50 sites, almost all of which are in Scotland. Have you ever seen one in the wild?
7
29
166
The
#Gaelic
name for October is ‘An Dàmhair’, derived from damh-ghàire and meaning ‘deer roaring time’
#M
òd2021
#G
àidhlig
#NatureScot
3
43
165
A new report published today, looking at
#Gaelic
names and folklore, reveals how fundamental nature and all its benefits were to Scotland’s Gaels:
1
55
161
The two sharks in this photo are swimming nose-to-tail - this is courtship behaviour in sharks. Marine biologists now believe that basking sharks return to Scotland's west coast in large numbers each year to find a mate. Isn't that great!
#NatureScot
#YCW2020
#sharks
3
27
163
At 137m, the Old Man of Hoy is one of the tallest sea stacks in the British Isles and possibly the most famous. On maps drawn between 1600 and 1750 the area appears as a headland with no sea stacks so the Old Man is probably less than 400 years old.
#NatureScot
#Geology
5
23
160
Great to see the critically endangered flapper skate we &
@SAMSoceannews
successfully hatched in captivity on tonight's
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
! Thought to be a world first for the species, catch up with the full story:
3
31
157
We've published the refreshed Scottish Fossil Code today - a can-do guide to collecting
#fossils
responsibly. To celebrate we're spotlighting women, past and present, leading fossil research and discovery, including
@gsciencelady
and
@palaeokatie
.
📰
2
50
156
Wakey-wakey! This is your half-hour countdown to
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
🍁 Tune in at 8pm on BBC2 for
@michaelastracha
at our Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve (NNR) plus lots of seal pup action from our Isle of May NNR. It's going to be a great show so don't miss it!
0
18
155
Fantastic shot of the regenerating woodland along the Allt a' Mharcaidh at our Invereshie and Inshriach nature reserve where
@CairngormsCo
partners are working to control deer numbers to allow forests to expand & restore habitats in the Cairngorms National Park. 📸:
@ScotlandTBP
5
23
155
Exciting news! Beavers in Scotland are establishing a strong presence in Perth, according to researchers conducting the most comprehensive ever survey of the animal in Scotland
5
28
152
#ThursdayThoughts
Whereas English adopted a French word ‘avalanche’, there is a native Gaelic word for the same phenomenon – maoim-sneachda, meaning ‘gushing forth of snow’ – reflecting the fact that avalanches have always been part of life in the Scottish mountains
#Scotnature
3
88
148
One to make you smile! A great capture of a curious red squirrel from one of our camera traps in Dell Woods at the gorgeous Abernathy National Nature Reserve. 😀
2
16
151
Scotland's Northern Isles are probably the best places in the UK to see the Northern Lights. This awesome view was captured from South Ronaldsay in Orkney.
#NatureScot
#Northerlights
#AuroraBorealis
1
24
148
1/3 We have decided to suspend shooting of Greenland barnacle geese on Islay, as avian influenza has been confirmed in an increasing number of the wider population in Ireland. A small number of licence holders on Uist have also been asked to suspend shooting.
10
31
149
Scotland & Ireland are the only countries in the world where Machair is found. For this habitat to thrive you need a magic mix of low-lying coastline; sand containing shell fragments; strong winds; just the right amount of rainfall; & some people with grazing animals.
#NatureScot
2
21
147
This stunning pic features the delicate wildflower, thrift, native to the Western Isles. Here it's flowering on saltmarsh at Northton on Isle of Harris. Plants here manage to grow with little soil & the tide coming in twice a day.
#stayhome
#bringingnaturetoyou
#NatureScot
2
36
143
As the autumn equinox approaches we're arriving & leaving work to coincide with sunrise & sunset and we've been treated to some spectacular
#skies
recently. Kevin Giles who works in our Battleby office captured this beauty and is the winner of our October staff photo showcase.
3
20
145
An aerial view of the Isle of Rum NNR, with the Isles of Canna and Sanday visible in the background.
#NatureScot
#IsleofRum
#Scotland
4
20
144
Great news for
#ScotClimateWeek
- we'll plant 20,000 trees at our Beinn Eighe nature reserve next year! Woodland expansion is part of the solution to the climate emergency, increasing biodiversity, conserving species and helping us adapt to climate change:
2
39
145
If you can't make it to see the salmon run in person this Autumn, watch this great video from our
@lornegill
- amazing footage that captures the experience in full!
#scotnature
9
47
140
Scotland, yours to explore. All of ours to care for.
Litter is dangerous for our wildlife and an upsetting sight for others. Take a bag with you to carry your litter until you can dispose of it in a bin.
#FollowTheCode
#RespectProtectEnjoy
#NatureScot
2
74
140
📺 ICYMI On last night's BBC Countryfile, NatureScot's Jane Dodd chatted with
@HamzaYassin3
about the remarkable & endangered flapper skate. Jane talks about Skatespotter, a unique collab with anglers to track skate. Catch up on iplayer.
@SAMSoceannews
1
17
139
The Isle of May NNR's shores are getting very busy with seal pups right now!
#WildlifeMoment
#NatureScot
#cutenessalert
0
20
140
Great to see our reserve manger
@Marijke2710
on
#Autumnwatch
introducing
@michaelastracha
to our wonderful Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve and its amazing wildlife! It's been fantastic to host the
@BBCSpringwatch
team - hope everyone's enjoying virtually visiting the reserve!
1
11
138
Exciting news - storm petrels have been confirmed breeding on our Isle of May National Nature Reserve (NNR) for the first time! Wonderful to be able to prove this after a fantastic team effort over the past three years. Read all about it:
2
24
138
If you find yourself needing a bit of a boost over the next few weeks we highly recommend taking a few mins to check in on the
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
live cams on our Isle of May National Nature Reserve - a real tonic!
#MakeSpaceForNature
We've got a Watches first for you this year... Live grey seals from the Isle of May - we've already been getting some amazing views both on land and underwater! Catch the action from 11am to 11pm, up until 9pm on Friday 6 November, at
#Autumnwatch
19
85
722
2
25
136
Scotland’s Beaver Strategy has been published, setting out a route map for the species in the coming decades. Involving more than 50 organisations it represents one of the most ambitious approaches to conserving & managing a species carried out in Britain:
3
44
138
Wildcats due to be released in Cairngorms National Park this summer have been moved into pre-release enclosures specially designed to help prepare them for the challenges of life in the wild. Another exciting step towards restoring the Scottish wildcat population.
The wildcats which will be released into the Cairngorms National Park this summer moved into specially designed pre-release enclosures earlier this year 🐾
They are preparing for a challenging life in the wild at
@HighlandWPark
🐱
Find out more ➡
1
58
248
4
28
135
Spot the difference! These amazing before/after images show the natural regeneration of the ancient Caledonian pinewoods at Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve in the Cairngorms National Park from 1981 to 2021. Deer management has been crucial to this success (1/6)
2
31
135
Fantastic shot of the aurora last night from the team at our St Cyrus National Nature Reserve 😍 If you caught it we'd love to see your pics!
3
16
136
Why do basking sharks leap out of the water? This extraordinary footage is worth the watch.
On our blog today research by
@nature_scot
and
@Uniofexeter
sheds light on what motivates these giant fish to breach.
#sharkweek
#sharks
6
51
135
Great news for the Year of Coasts and Waters! Today we've launched a new £150,000 fund to help communities celebrate
#YCW2020
in style and connect more young people with nature across Scotland. Are you ready to
#PlungeIn
? 🌊💦🐬 Find out more:
#naturescot
5
79
132
A recent picture from the amazing South Scotland Golden Eagle Project shows the smallest eagle, Edward, compared to a raven. For updates on what all three birds are up to, see the latest blog at
2
45
132
🌍It’s
#ScotClimateWeek
and all this week we’re highlighting the crucial role nature plays in helping Scotland to reach
#NetZero
. 💚
Find out more about the importance of reaching net zero:
2
70
131
Pine martens were once found throughout the UK, but were persecuted until they were only in the Highlands. They were legally protected in 1988. There are an estimated 3,700 pine martens in Scotland north of the central belt, with some also in the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.
4
27
131
The unmistakable Rum Cuillin against a cloudless sky, seen from Kilmory, Isle of Rum NNR.
#NatureScot
#Cuillin
#IsleofRum
#Scotland
#RespectProtectEnjoy
2
18
132
Encouraging news - new research shows a rise in people getting outdoors & engaging with nature has continued post-lockdown, with 80% visiting the outdoors at least once a week & 55% agreeing nature is more important to their health & wellbeing. Read more:
2
46
130
We love this wintery shot of tiny Scots pines regenerating on the River Feshie floodplain - part of the partnership
@CairngormsCo
project to restore habitats on a landscape-scale in the Cairngorms National Park. 📸:
@ScotlandTBP
0
17
129
£5m is being awarded to 54 projects from all over Scotland to restore nature, safeguard wildlife & tackle the causes of climate change through the first round of the Scottish Government's new Nature Restoration Fund.
📷 NatureScot & St Andrews Links Trust
3
41
129
Our Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve looking fab on
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
! The reserve is part of one of the most dynamic coastlines in the UK & is home to internationally important birds & other wildlife:
2
14
125
NatureScot is advising public landings stop on 23 Scottish islands this week to limit the spread of avian flu and give seabirds the best possible chance to survive and recover from the current severe outbreak.
@scotgov
@ScotGovNetZero
@RSPBScotland
1
75
126
Scotland has some of the world’s deepest peat deposits – our
@PeatlandACTION
project is working to restore damaged peatlands to keep carbon locked in and increase the amount they can store.
Read more:
#ScotClimateWeek
#NatureBasedSolutions
1
32
125
This graceful and curious creature seen swimming in Loch Sunart on Scotland's west coast, is a 10-armed northern feather star - an echinoderm (Greek for "spiny skinned").
#NatureScot
#YCW2021
#MPA
#Scotland
2
16
124
We’re delighted to welcome
@BBCSpringwatch
&
@michaelastracha
to our nature reserve at Tentsmuir for this year’s
#Autumnwatch
! Live cameras on the Isle of May will also capture the island's grey seal pups. Don’t miss what is sure to be a fantastic series!
2
30
123
Is love in the air? Some exciting news from the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project today as for the first time a pair of eagles translocated to the area have exhibited potential courtship behaviours! Read all about it:
3
30
122
Cow seals feed their pups with rich fatty milk for 16-21 days during which the pup will gain an average of 30kg. After that the pup will moult and the mother will leave as her youngster becomes independent - often at less than 3 weeks old!
@BBCSpringwatch
#Autumnwatch
3
15
123
This week's
#FridayFeature
is a simply stunning shot of murmurating starlings at sunset from
@ronpon_ron
. Thank you for sharing! If you'd like a chance to feature across our channels, tag us or use
#naturescot
📸 :
@ronpon_ron
2
8
120
The designation today of 12 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) around our coasts protects important marine foraging areas for 31 species of marine birds including terns, skuas, gulls, puffin, kittiwake, gannet, goldeneye, eider, red-throated diver, Slavonian grebe, goosander & more!
3
28
119
A fantastic visit this morning with
@ChrisGPackham
and the
#BioBlitz
team at Flanders Moss NNR. He met volunteers of all ages including p5's Shona, Niamh and Deia who were delighted to show Chris around the reserve and introduce him to a soprano pipistrelle bat.
2
22
115
Calling all farmers and land managers - the Scottish Adder Survey needs your help! Our short online questionnaire only takes a few minutes but can really help shed light on how adders are faring in Scotland and guide conservation action: . Please share!
5
73
114
Great news! Our Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve has become the UK’s first Gene Conservation Unit! Important recognition of its unique Caledonian pine forest and the work we and partners are doing to protect these special trees. Read more:
#scotnature
2
45
112
It's
#squirrelappreciationday
and we love this this cheerful, wee, red fella. Britain only has 160k native red squirrels left with 75% of the population in Scotland. 📷 Caroline Anderson.
2
27
117
We've published Scotland’s first handbook for seagrass restoration with
@marinescotland
&
@ProjectSeagrass
amid increasing interest in the potential of restoring marine habitats to store blue carbon, enhance coastal defences & increase biodiversity. More:
1
41
114
Good news! Scotland’s woodland birds appear to have recovered from a short-term decline thought to be caused by the Beast from the East. New stats indicate a recovery for wren & goldcrest with nos up by more than 20%, but elsewhere the picture is mixed:
1
27
114
Threatened species in Scotland have today received a £4.2m lifeline from
@HeritageFundSCO
. The funding will support urgent action to help save 37 of Scotland's most vulnerable coastal and island species.
1
37
114