Archive for the ‘Wildlife’ Category
What Can We Do to Protect Red Squirrels in The Cairngorm National Park?
What Can We Do to Protect Red Squirrels in The Cairngorm National Park?
Scottish Wildcats
the first kitten emerges half-asleep. The other four all came out one after the other, but I had stopped filming! They look a bit like normal tabby cats that have turned feral… but they are a different species with different ancestory. They have thick tails and BIG paws, and are savage and untameable. One crossed the road in front of me a few months back when I was in the Highlands - very cool. … scottish wildcat wildcats kitten kittens aviemore scotland kingussie highland wildlife park …
Are Animals Affected by Global Warming?
It is no secret that we humans have destroyed the environment for years. It is now that some of us try to make everyone aware of the affects that our lack of diligence on the environment and what happens if we do not make changes now and try to stop the progress of global warming . Our focus, or drive, is the idea of what kind of world we leave to our children. We must also look at how the global warming that our animals now and in the future if we do not stop and take the necessary environmental changes.
There are numerous studies to be conducted and were not carried out, if just animal behavior and characteristics in order to gauge the state of the environment. These studies show that changed our world in unnatural ways and it is disturbing. Consider that at the present state of things, reindeer no longer walk the places that they are doing currently, they disappear.
Marmot hibernation no longer the same amount of time they are accustomed. Actually, compared to thirty years ago, they are hibernating ends three weeks earlier. The Canadian red squirrels are breeding 18 days earlier. Studies show that the red fox is moving north and invading the territory of the Arctic cousin. The polar bears are not as healthy as 20 years ago, and they are thinner.
If we look at the sea and our creatures there, we also see changes that should cause alarm bells. Coral reefs are expected to increase by up to one third in size. Elephant seal pups are thinner because their prey is migration to cooler waters. Our turtles are changing behavior as well, is the loggerhead eggs 10 days earlier and the tortoise Hawkbill young are more females then males due to temperature changes.
Birds are changing their diets to insects that consume leaves were not treated with high levels of pesticides. What does all this mean? It means that global warming could cause many of our species is endangered if not extinct.
The melting ice, the warm seas, the dessert spread any risk to our animals. These changes, no matter how subtle, have a dramatic impact on the lives of our wildlife. In the sea the disappearance of the tiny organisms that caused the larger creatures feed marine life to migrate north.
When you consider that global warming plays a major role in our weather and climate, destroying the increased storm activity, the breeding colonies of albatross, already battle the possibility of captured and killed by fishing boats. Rising sea levels to extinguish the nesting sites of sea turtles, seals and wading birds are also destroyed in the list of species that are affected by their habitats.
The thinking of nature is the source of change and adaptation, the changes that take place are in our environment due to global warming will only happen fast. The speed is what makes it difficult for animals to be effective, and this will cause us to lose a large part of our wildlife. Can you imagine a world without reindeer? What about the day the Sahara desert covers all of Africa and does not make the migration of birds?
These are changes we can see every day and we must start to respect them. The predicted increase in sea level should be linked by an amazing three feet with the disturbances on the Earth life support systems, our wake-up call.
While you can watch your back window and see these changes take place, the full impact of waiting until 2100 if the predictions of scientists, and we do not change our ways. Think about it is, 2100 is less than one hundred years away. You and I would probably not be here, but our grandchildren will have and what we leave for them? To stop Global warming to participate in it in order to save the earth, our children and our animals. They need us.
Are you ready to learn how we can stop global warming? Learn how you can do so by checking out our free report at http://www.factsaboutglobalwarming.info. Find out more about our impact on the environment at http://www.factsaboutglobalwarming.info/videos.
Red Squirrel near Cromdale
Image taken on 2009-07-31 12:10:09 by Duncan Brown (formerly Cradlehall2008).
Common Wildlife in the Scottish Highlands
The particular area of Britain happens to be one of its wildest. There is a very diverse range of species including animals, plants and birds; some of them actually being some of the rarest in Britain. The area itself includes many parks and centres that have rangers and guided walks so you can fully appreciate the diversity of the wildlife the area has to offer.
The Scottish Highlands is home to many land animals, aquatic creatures and birds. Too many to describe in full here. We shall however describe some of the more elusive and interesting animals from each group so you can have an idea of what is on offer.
First, the land animals:
Adder
The adder is a poisonous snake found in Scotland. It happens to be the only poisonous snake found here and it isn’t very dangerous unless provoked. They are somewhat difficult to find and tend to avoid humans. The snake is typically identified by a dark zigzag on their backs. The females can be identified as they are generally longer in length, have a duller colour and intimidating orange eyes. The snake can be seen on and around large bricks, stones and boulders. They are also known to be seen in moor land during the summer months.
Red Deer
The Red Deer is maybe the most famous Scottish land animal. It is the largest animal and the most common too. It is estimated that there are around 300 thousand Red Deer in Scotland to date, the majority of which can be found in the Scottish Highlands. The male and females of the animal spend the majority of their time in separate herds, but they do come together during the breeding season with the calves being born in June.
Red Squirrel
This is Scotland’s most recognised and most popular animals. Unfortunately, they are becoming overrun by the grey squirrel and this has resulted in fewer numbers of red squirrels. Regardless of this, the Scottish Highlands are still thriving with red squirrels but they can be quite difficult to spot. The best way to arrange a Red Squirrel encounter is of course trying to tempt them with food such as nuts and berries.
Secondly, we shall now cover the aquatic animals of the Scottish Highlands.
Bottlenose Dolphins
Although you can find bottlenose dolphins around the whole of Scotland, the colony at Moray Firth happens to be the most famous. This beautiful animal can be spotting swimming and jumping around in the sea throughout the summer months. A beautiful and amazing site for anyone to see!
Killer Whales / Orcas
Killer Whales or Orcas are they are known are one of the fastest and best predators in the ocean. They also happen to be one of the most common mammals on Earth. Male Orcas can grow to about 7 to 8metres in length and weigh over 5 thousand kg. The distinct colouration of the Orcas (the contrast of the black versus the white) and the sheer size of the animal is an amazing site to see.
Basking Shark
The Basking Shark is an amazingly huge animal, one of the largest in the world. It happens to be the second largest fish known to man, weighing up to 7 tonnes and reaching up to an incredible 11 metres in length. The animal is usually seen swimming close to surface with just its fin breaking the water, as the animal glides around catching plankton in its huge mouth.
Lastly, we shall now describe a few of the many varieties of bird to be found in the Scottish Highlands.
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is an impressive bird of prey that can be found in the Scottish Highlands. This bird of prey tends to inhabit mountains and high moor land associated with the Scottish Highlands. The beautiful bird with its broad wings and long time is a beautiful and elegant animal that can be seen soaring and gliding around on air currents in the sky.
Puffin
The Puffin is another beautiful bird that happens to be very unique. It has a black back, white underside, orange legs and very distinct and unusual brightly-colour break. The Puffin can be seen in the spring when the bird comes ashore to breed. Unfortunately the animal spends the winter far out in see. Grab the opportunity to see this bird when you can!
Kingfisher
The Kingfisher is another beautiful yet strangely coloured bird that can be found in-land as opposed to the coastal area of the Scottish Highlands. Its unmistakeable bright blue and orange feathers make this bird very original and a beautiful site to see. They fly very fast over water as low as possible in the hope of catching jumping fish. They can also be seen hovering above the water.
There really is a huge and diverse variety of species to be found in Scotland, although unfortunately this isn’t always recognised by some. Forget the kilts, the haggis and the bagpipes… just look at the wildlife!
