It's a #WaderWeek kind of #FunFactFriday ...

...starring the Golden Plover!

The name 'plover' is believed to come from the Latin word 'pluvia', meaning ‘rain’, as it was thought that plovers gathered together when it was about to rain. 🤔

scotlink.org/species/golden…

It was brilliant to have three bumblebee Nature Champions speaking up for bumblebees in the Scottish parliament this week 🐝 #BeeTeam

Watch here 👉 ow.ly/1RNh50RBf0x

Graham Simpson Alasdair Allan Mark Ruskell

📷 Anne Riley

Rise and shine to the sound of the #Corncrake !

Corncrakes are part of the family of crakes and rails, and are well-known for their distinctive rasping call, heard day and night. 🌞 #WaderWeek

Corncrakes are #NatureChampioned by Kaukab Stewart MSP + RSPB Scotland

📽️ RSPB Scotland

Who is this handsome wader? #WaderWeek

It's a Curlew (or 'whaup')!

Scotland is home to c.15% of the world's Curlews but they are in trouble and suffering from huge declines - now IUCN Red List globally near threatened.

#NatureChampioned by Jim Fairlie MSP SNP with RSPB Scotland

Standing up for bats! 🦇

Last month, #NatureChampion for the Nathusius' Pipistrelle, Keith Brown, asked Scottish Government what action it is taking to support bat conservation in Scotland.

Read the response 👇
parliament.scot/chamber-and-co…

📸 Bat Conservation Trust

Peeeeeeeeewit!

The Lapwing gets its alternative name, the 'peewit', from its piercing display calls, whereas its proper name describes its wavering flight.

#NatureChampioned by Richard Lochhead with RSPB Scotland

📸NatureScot #WaderWeek

Waders are on their nests, and the first chicks are starting to appear - it must be #waderweek !

Working for Waders is made up of many different partners from RSPB Scotland & BTO Scotland to The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust & Scottish Gamekeepers plus individual farmers and land managers 1/5

It's the first ever #WaderWeek and we're jumping on the bandwagon to help raise awareness of some of the wonderful waders featured as part of Nature Champions!

Read this blog from NatureScot & Working_for_Waders to find out more!

scotlandsnature.wordpress.com/2024/05/06/wel…

📸 Andy Hay / RSPB Scotland

NatureScot has joined forces with Working_for_Waders to highlight the perilous position of Scotland’s wading birds and urging the public to help, as the first ever ‘Wader Week’ gets underway (6-12 May). orlo.uk/aWpq6

Our #ScottishGreenPathways team found this beautiful #palmate #newt during their #SaveTheFrogsDay event at Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

SAVE THE FROGS!

It's a Slow Worm kind of #FunFactFriday !

#DYK that Slow Worms are known for their exceptionally long lives? One male lived for at least 54 years in captivity at Copenhagen Zoo!

#NatureChampioned by Daniel Johnson MSP with Froglife

📸Christine Grace

Update from South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project confirms Police Scotland believe the missing Golden Eagle Merrick was shot. Read more here: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… RSPB Scotland

Modernising deer legislation is vital for tackling the nature & climate emergencies. We welcome the concept of Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders which work alongside venison subsidies & enforcement of current legislation 🧵

Scotland's mountains contain pockets of rare and rich grasslands that are home to some very important plants.

Alpine Blue Sow Thistles are favoured by deer and survive today in only a handful of locations that remain inaccessible to them.

#NatureChampioned by Graeme Dey

This is a juvenile #SlowWorm .

They are much easier to identify as they smaller than adults and have quite distinctive markings- the dark line from head to tail and the dark strips down their sides.

#reptile #nature #wildlife

#ThrowbackThursday

Last year on #WorldCurlewDay , Nature Champion for the Curlew, Jim Fairlie MSP SNP, highlighted how good management can support and protect this iconic farmland wader for future generations. 🚜

Put the mower away! It's #NoMowMay !

Are any Nature Champions taking up Plantlife Scotland's call to let lawns loose this year? 🪻🐝

Sign up today and provide a feast for pollinators, tackle pollution and lock away some carbon at the same time!

plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomo…

Sightings of Common Dolphins are increasing in Scottish waters, likely due to climate change and higher water temperatures changing where they can find food.

Find out more 🐬
scotlink.org/species/common…

#NatureChampioned by Siobhian Brown MSP with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)

📸 Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust

Breaking news: A huge wave of support today shown by UK and EU NGOs for the recent sandeel closures asking Scot Gov Marine Defra UK to maintain a strong position in light of EU challenge RSPB News BirdLife Europe & Central Asia Blue Marine Foundation Marine Conservation Society Oceana UK Wildlife and Countryside Link

Some of our most familiar places can also be havens for wildlife.

Gardens are home to many different species - from bats to birds, frogs and hedgehogs, to pollinators like bees and butterflies! 🦋

#NationalGardeningWeek

Championed by Sharon Dowey MSP with National Trust for Scotland & Amphibian and Reptile Conservation