Mad for Wildlife

02/03/2026

Scottish parliament will decide the fate of this petition next week.
Link in comments if you haven't already signed.

Next week, the Scottish Parliament decides the fate of this petition.

27/02/2026

Bird netting kills thousands of wild birds per year in the UK alone. This is often despite the efforts of various organisations and animal welfare volunteers who try to rescue reported birds, but often face difficulties gaining access to rooftops, typically resulting in the bird's death as the rescue efforts come too late.
Foundation For Feathered Friends have started a petition to have bird netting banned. Please sign and share if you can.

Thousands of birds are reported to get trapped in netting yearly, and many may die in pain and fear from the horrific injuries sustained trying to free themselves e.g. breaking their entangled limbs. Others may die of dehydration and starvation and rescuers are too late.

25/02/2026

Join us on Saturday 4th April for our very first Skydancer Day!

We're working with our local Raptor group to host an event focussed on our wonderful Hen Harriers and other raptors. We'll be based out of the Kilngreen Kiosk from 9am - 3pm, and will be running guided bird-watching tours throughout the day.

Each tour will last 75 minutes, and will be led by local experts. We're hopeful we will see harriers on the day, and might even witness their skydancing, but as these are wild birds we cannot guarantee it.

Booking is essential if you want to join one of the tours, and more information and booking information can be found by following the link below:
https://tickets.mp/tvnrskydancerday

25/02/2026

MORE than 400 landowners own half of all privately-owned rural land in Scotland, a report has found.

03/09/2024

Got called to two birds this morning before work and ended up late but....

What we thought was a Storm Petrel was found by the Adventurer II crew when they came into land, they spoke to Walter Elliot who called so went to get.

Then a call from Trina Weston as a juvenile gull at Primary School.

Thanks to Marina Perez from Conanvet we got them checked and started notifying others. Cal Major took them in and a relay was arranged to get them over to Jane at Highland Wildlife Rescue. Lesley Spenceley & one of Jane's volunteers got the Petrel to Brora via Dingwall and the gull has gone to Cal as needs a bit of treatment before release.

I know people question whywe do this and some hate gulls but today it was announced that 5 marine birds have been added to the UK red list of birds most at risk of global extintion. This already included Kittiwake and some gulls we have and try to rescue but Great Skua and 2 new gull species have been added and also Leach’s storm petrel which this wee petrel turned out to be.

So whilst gulls might bug you and we seem nutters for trying to rescue them, today proved we are actually rescuing species that might actually go extinct without more effort and protection so plase keep calling if and when you find birds and try help us relay if you can. Not all species have the attention of pandas and tiger but some are at the same risk of extinction, and perhaps even more sadly.

Thanks everyone involved today (and all the other days too!). ❤

Iolo Williams RSPB Highlands & Islands Iona MJ MacDonald STV News BBC Scotland News BBC ALBA Hugh Harrop BBC Springwatch Scottish Wildlife Trust Maree Todd MSP Ariane Burgess MSP - Scottish Greens

Red list news today: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78ljx5lez1o

21/03/2024

Groundbreaking news from Scottish Parliament today, meaning:
👍Licencing scheme for grouse moors
👍Glue trap ban
👍Snare ban
👍Muirburn licencing
👍Tightened regulation of spring traps
👍Increased investigatory powers for the SSPCA

Super well done to everyone involved!! Time to pop the champers🍾

BREAKING NEWS… In the last few minutes, the Scottish Parliament (with the exception of the Scottish Tories) has voted overwhelmingly in support of the Wildlife Management & Muirburn Bill!…

08/02/2024

Think might be near Maryburgh but not sure - please keep an eye out for an owl on the side of the road if traveling up from Inverness. Highland Wildlife Rescue can be contacted if it is seen or found.

Edit - huge thanks to Julia, Sam & Kenzie, and Hannah & Ryan for all the searching, ypu are all wonderful. Everything.crossed that the Tawny recovered enough to fly off 🤞💚

Help!

Someone posted this image in Dingwall this evening.

It looks like it is after the Maryburgh roundabout (outskirts of Dingwall) heading up to Conon Bridge junction / the main road to Inverness. It's a cycle route.

If the owl is still there it has likely been clipped by a vehicle.

Anyone in the vicinity that can SAFELY check please contact me on 07957 584817 💚

10/12/2023

⏰ There's still time to make a donation to our 2023 Christmas Satellite Tag Appeal, and make a difference to Hen Harrier protection and survival!

We are almost there with our huge target of raising £12,000 to tag four young Hen Harrier chicks next Spring working with the 👏

Help us get this appeal 'over the line'! Every donation counts.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-protect-hen-harriers-this-christmas

07/12/2023

Our Satellite Tag Christmas Appeal to protect young Hen Harriers has touched many, and we are making good progress to reaching our £12,000 target, but you can still help us get it over the line!

Every donation counts and will help us to fund satellite tags to monitor and protect young Hen Harriers as they leave the nest for the first time. According to a recent scientific study, the average lifespan of a Hen Harrier is just 121 days, as they are shot, trapped, poisoned or just disappear, mainly over grouse moors.

Please help us to protect these rare, endangered, charismatic birds of prey by donating to the Hen Harrier Action Christmas Appeal.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-protect-hen-harriers-this-christmas

06/11/2023

The first episode of Live has been released exploring the wonders of Autumn with special guest - scientist & writer - Lauren Cook. 🌿 🎨

We talk about the deer rut, the sights and sounds of autumn, valuing through science and art, and of course conservation.

➡ Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXB7XqdrPrI