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News from the Trust, our projects and the wider world of conservation
Beaver at Knapdale
Wonderful support from our members
THE Trust has been overwhelmed by the generosity and support from members in response to our emergency Covid-19 appeal this summer. So far, supporters have helped
raise more than £60,000 – every penny of which will go directly towards tackling the problems our wildlife reserves have faced since lockdown restrictions were introduced. This work includes managing
invasive species, safely removing hazardous materials that have been illegally fly tipped on our reserves and undertaking essential path repairs. In a further invaluable boost to
our recovery efforts, the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded the Trust a £197,000 emergency grant to support a range of work, including the reopening of our visitor centres. The response to our Covid-19 appeal has been fantastic but there is still a long way to go to fill the gap which the pandemic has caused. Many grant schemes remain closed and we are bracing for the impact that the end of the government furlough scheme may have on the economy. We are also acutely aware that the
downturn in new members joining the Trust due to cancelled events will have an impact for years to come.
Sarah Robinson, Director of Conservation
Beaver sign © Alan Thompson
Help us keep track of Scotland’s beavers
HAVE you seen a beaver? Tracking the spread of Scotland’s newest native mammal is vital, both in terms of their future conservation and for planning national surveys of the species. Working alongside the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the Mammal Society, the Trust is encouraging the public to record any sightings and signs of beavers as the animals gradually make their way into new parts of the country.
A legally protected species since 2019, beavers have begun to spread out from Tayside into the catchments of the Forth and Clyde. Signs have been recorded in areas including Stirling, Kippen and Tillicoultry. Earlier this year, a lone beaver was even spotted swimming around a dockyard in Govan. “Tracking beaver signs is one of the most important things that people can do to help us understand whether we have a thriving and expanding population in Scotland,” explained Gill Dowse, the Trust’s Knowledge & Evidence Manager.
“This can inform where additional introductions could take place to
8 SCOTTISH WILDLIFE NOVEMBER 2020
support a healthier population based on a larger number of animals. It can also help us understand what impact licensed lethal control is having on their range.”
Beavers are most active around dawn and dusk, so field signs are often more obvious than the animals themselves. The tell-tale clues of their presence include gnawed and felled trees with a characteristic pencil shape, as well as dams and lodges. Freshly gnawed wood will often appear bright orange, making it stand out strongly against the background. “Recording signs of the wildlife around us is easy and fun,” commented Dr Helen Taylor, Conservation Programme Manager, RZSS. “It is also something people can do to help wildlife at the same time as going out for a family walk, or even just visiting the shops.”
The easiest way to record beavers is through the free Mammal Mapper app. For more on the app, and how to record sightings, check out our video at
scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/ beaversightings
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Covid-19 appeal
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