Islay Natural History Trust

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

Today we got a rare red lobster (that will be released as it’s around 1 in 10 million here in Scotland - as our lobsters are blue pre cooking) here’s a little pic of our wee rare boy sitting on the pier ❤️ 🦞

18/06/2026

👀 Earwigs have a terrible reputation, but they are not always the villains gardeners think they are.

Yes, they can nibble soft flower petals and leaves, which is frustrating if you are growing plants like dahlias, clematis or bedding displays.

But they are not all bad news.

In the right place, especially around fruit trees and shrubs, earwigs can actually be useful predators. They help feed on aphids and other small insects, which means they can play a part in your garden’s natural balance.

So the next time you spot an earwig, it may not be there to cause damage. It might be there to help.

18/06/2026

Lyme disease signs, symptoms & management: Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by infected Ixodes ticks. It can affect the skin, joints, nervous system, and heart. Early disease commonly causes erythema migrans rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and joint pain. Untreated infection may spread and cause facial palsy, meningitis-like symptoms, carditis, migratory joint pain, or late arthritis.

🔹 Core clinical pattern
➟ History of tick exposure
➟ Fever, fatigue, headache, and body aches
➟ Expanding skin rash may occur
➟ Symptoms may appear days to weeks after a tick bite.

🔹 Rash clue
➟ Erythema migrans is the classic rash
➟ It slowly expands over days
➟ May look like a “bull’s-eye” but not always
➟ It is usually not very painful or itchy.

🔹 Early localized disease
➟ Fever may occur
➟ Headache and neck stiffness may be present
➟ Muscle and joint aches are common
➟ Swollen lymph nodes may occur near the bite area.

🔹 Early disseminated disease
➟ Multiple erythema migrans lesions may appear
➟ Facial nerve palsy may occur
➟ Meningitis-like headache or neck stiffness may develop
➟ Palpitations, dizziness, or fainting may suggest Lyme carditis.

🔹 Cardiac clue
➟ Lyme carditis can cause heart block
➟ Patient may feel palpitations
➟ Dizziness or fainting can occur
➟ Chest pain or shortness of breath needs urgent evaluation.

🔹 Neurologic clue
➟ Facial palsy may occur
➟ Shooting nerve pain may be present
➟ Numbness or tingling can occur
➟ Severe headache with neck stiffness suggests neuroborreliosis.

🔹 Late disease clue
➟ Arthritis may develop months later
➟ Knee is commonly affected
➟ Joint swelling may be intermittent
➟ Chronic untreated infection can cause recurrent large-joint arthritis.

🔹 Diagnosis clue
➟ Erythema migrans is diagnosed clinically
➟ Blood antibody tests may be negative early
➟ Two-step serologic testing is used when diagnosis is uncertain
➟ Testing is most useful in compatible symptoms with exposure risk.

🔹 Core management
➟ Antibiotics are the main treatment
➟ Doxycycline is commonly used in many non-pregnant adults
➟ Amoxicillin or cefuroxime may be used in selected patients
➟ Treatment choice depends on age, pregnancy status, allergy, and disease severity.

🔹 Severe disease management
➟ Lyme meningitis may need specific antibiotic treatment
➟ Severe carditis may require hospital monitoring
➟ Temporary pacing may be needed in serious heart block
➟ IV ceftriaxone may be used for selected neurologic or cardiac cases.

🔹 Prevention clue
➟ Avoid tick-infested areas when possible
➟ Wear long sleeves and use tick repellent
➟ Check skin after outdoor exposure
➟ Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.

🔹 Emergency warning
➟ Fainting or severe dizziness
➟ Chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath
➟ Severe headache with neck stiffness
➟ Facial weakness, confusion, or swollen painful joints need urgent medical evaluation.

🔹 High-Yield Points
➟ Lyme disease = tick-borne Borrelia infection
➟ Classic early sign = expanding erythema migrans rash
➟ Disseminated disease may cause facial palsy, meningitis-like symptoms, carditis, and migratory joint pain
➟ Late disease commonly causes recurrent large-joint arthritis, especially knee arthritis
➟ Management = appropriate antibiotics, urgent care for neurologic/cardiac signs, and tick-bite prevention.

Medical disclaimer: This note is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

18/06/2026

An extraordinary close-up of one of Noss's most iconic residents.

This striking photograph perfectly captures the unmistakable features of the Northern Gannet, from its piercing blue eye ring and golden head markings to the remarkable detail of its powerful bill.

Images like this offer a completely different perspective, allowing us to appreciate the beauty and character of these magnificent seabirds up close.

Gannets are among the highlights of every tour around Noss, where thousands gather during the breeding season, creating one of Europe's most impressive wildlife spectacles.

Many thanks to local photographer Shamim Robertson for sharing this wonderful image. Shamim joins us year after year, often bringing family and friends visiting Shetland to experience the magic of Noss and its incredible wildlife.

17/06/2026

Yarrow might look dainty but historically it was nicknamed the "Soldier's Plant" because it's a natural styptic (stops the flow of bleeding) and a strong antibacterial. It was often used at the battlefield as far back as the Trojan War. Thank the Greek hero Achilles for yarrow's scientific name Achillea millefolium. There is so much more to botany than plant names and pretty flowers!

Yarrow has dainty, feathery like leaves and flat-topped usually white clusters of flowers.

We tend to overcomplicate things but using herbs can be simple! For example, a simple yarrow infusion (herbal tea) can have many uses.
How I use a simple yarrow infusion (herbal tea):
* As a toner to help heal skin and prevent acne.
* I also consume it as a tea if I have a pervasive cold that makes me feel cold.
* Woundcare - I like to soak or wash wounds and bruises in a yarrow infusion.
* Steam Inhalation - I like to use it as a steam inhalation which helps move congestion and warm up stagnant coughs.

If you have a daisy allergy, it's best to avoid this plant because it's in the daisy family.

Always be 100% sure that the plant you have is yarrow before touching or using!