NatureScot
Acronym: NSDescription
Scotland's natural heritage is its wildlife, habitats, landscapes and natural beauty. Scotland is renowned for its attractive scenery and wild places and has a huge diversity of landscapes, habitats and wildlife. These are part of what makes Scotland special and are among the country's greatest assets.
NatureScot is funded by the Scottish Government. Our purpose is to:
• promote, care for, and improve our natural heritage
• help people enjoy nature responsibly
• enable greater understanding and awareness of nature
• promote the sustainable use of Scotland's natural heritage
All of our work supports our mission: All of nature for all of Scotland.
For general enquiries, we have a web enquiry form https://www.nature.scot/about-snh/contact-us/feedback
Resources
- Aculeate Hymenoptera records extracted from Invertebrate Site Register for Scotland
Subset of dataset of information on the site-based occurrence of scarcer British and strongly habitat-associated terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates. It gathered data from a wide variety of often scattered sources, synthesized it to produce readily accessible information for use in all facets of invertebrate conservation. - Assessment of lamprey abundance and distribution in the River Tweed SAC/SSSI, 2004
Ammocoete larvae of the two Lampetra species (L. fluviatilis and L. planeri) were widespread throughout the survey area, though larvae of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) were found only in the most downstream section of the main river Tweed. However, several age classes of P. marinus larvae were found, indicating regular breeding in this section of the river in recent years... - Assessment of the status of the great crested newt Triturus cristatus within the Scottish Natural Heritage East Highland Area, 2002
Fourteen ponds within the Scottish Natural Heritage East Highland Area were surveyed, to assess the suitability of surrounding habitats and give recommendations for management where this is thought to be required. All amphibians present were recorded. - Assessment of the status of the great crested newt Triturus cristatus within the Scottish Natural Heritage East Highland Area, 2004
Eight ponds/pond clusters within the Scottish Natural Heritage East Highland Area were surveyed, to assess the suitability of surrounding habitats and give recommendations for management where this is thought to be required. All amphibians present were recorded. - Ben Eighe NNR invertebrate records compiled from SNH files
Species records extracted from paper files held in NNR Reserve Office. - Ben Lui NNR invertebrate records compiled from SNH files
Species records extracted from paper files held in NatureScot's Stirling Office. - Compilation of records of 12 Article 17 terrestrial mammal species in Scotland
This compilation of records from multiple sources is being provided as an interim measure to help meet the requirements of Article 17 Surveillance reporting. For the majority of records, precision is limited to 10 km square and year. - Craigellachie NNR invertebrate records compiled from SNH files
Species records were extracted from paper files held in SNH's Aviemore Office. Records were captured if they contained the minimum details required to comprise a record, including recorder and date. For the majority of records, location was recorded only at NNR site level. - Distribution of pine martens in Scotland as determined by field survey
The results suggest that pine marten have now recolonised some of the northem and western parts of Grampian, Tayside, Central and Strathclyde regions, and are thus no longer confined to the Highlands. To the south, marten have become established on the sides of Loch Awe, in Glen Dochart, and possibly Strathyre... - Expansion zone survey of pine marten (Martes martes) distribution in Scotland, 2012-2013
The dataset comprises records of pine marten, other mustelids, and fox, derived from DNA analysis of scats (faeces), supplemented by recent records of pine marten received from other sources. The findings confirm that pine marten continues to recolonise its former range, including at four widely-spaced locations in southern Scotland, and now occurs close to some of Scotland's major urban... - Feral Pigs - Sightings and Cull records - 2014-2015
The dataset comprises records of wild boar or feral pigs reported by landowners and occupiers in Scotland during 2014-15. - Feral Pigs - Sightings and Cull records - 2014-21
The dataset comprises records of wild boar or feral pigs reported by landowners and occupiers in Scotland during 2014-21. - Feral Pigs - Sightings and Cull records - 2017-2018
The dataset comprises records of wild boar or feral pigs reported by landowners and occupiers in Scotland during 2017-18. - Grassland Survey of Central Region, 1989-90
Grassland Survey of 47 sites in Central Region - Grassland Survey of Lochaber 1990-94
Grassland survey of 101 sites in Lochaber, West Highland - Grassland Survey of West Lothian, 1995
Grassland Survey of 32 sites in West Lothian. - Grassland Surveys in North-East Scotland, 1989
Grassland Survey of two sites in north-east Scotland - Grassland Surveys of Fife, 1972-1990
Grassland Survey of sites in Fife Region - Information on capercaillie distribution collected during the 'Productivity of breeding Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus at sites across their Scottish range
Records of capercaillie collected during the project. Sex and brood size is also recorded. - Inverness Badger Survey 2003 - Roadkill information 1999-2003
Records of 67 reported badger road kills within approximately 66 sq km study area to the south and east of Inverness during the period 28 December 1999 to 03 November 2003, the great majority along the A96 road east of the city. - Inverness Badger Survey 2003 - Sett information
Within a survey area of approximately 66 sq km to the south and east of Inverness, a total of 191 badger setts was found, including 33 extant main setts. Each of the latter is synonymous with a distinct badger social group. - Invertebrate Survey of Selected East Ross Lochs, Streams and Rivers, 1986/87
The lochs and rivers surveyed are only a small fraction of those present; but, they reflect the different types of water body found within the area. East Ross has a geology dominated by Old Red Sandstones which is reflected by moderately chemically rich lochs and rivers with correspondingly varied and diverse invertebrate faunas... - Juniper Survey of Perth and Kinross, 2010
The survey was commissioned to monitor the condition of juniper outside designated Juniper Wood SSSIs. In particular the health of populations and regeneration were looked at. More than 7500 bushes were monitored at 96 sites. Of these sites, 22 had more than 50 bushes, the number generally considered to constitute a viable population (FCS 2009). Only one site over 350 m had more than 50 bushes. - Lochaber wild boar/feral pig camera trap survey, 2015
A pilot survey of wild boar/feral pig was undertaken to find out how feral pigs are using four different habitat types (Native woodland, Plantation woodland, Young woodland, Open habitats) within the Glen Garry study area, where the species is known to be well-established in the wild. The dataset includes records of wild boar/feral pig and other wild mammals recorded by camera-traps. - National Lamprey Survey of Scotland (2003-2005)
141 catchments throughout mainland Scotland, Orkney and Shetland and Western Isles were surveyed by electrofishing for larvae, confirming lamprey presence in most rivers with previous records and identifying 17 catchments with previously unknown populations, extending the known range of all species. - National Water Vole Database & Mapping Project (Scotland data), 2008
The Project aims to deliver one of the main actions for the water vole agreed by the UK Water Vole Steering Group in May 2007 and submitted to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Review ie. :To establish and maintain a national water vole database and GIS:. - NatureScot and Marine Scotland combined pit tag survey skate occupied 10km grid square data - Flapper skate and blue skate (formerly common skate) Dipturus intermedius and Dipturus batis
Pit tag surveys of flapper skate and blue skate (formerly common skate) Dipturus intermedius and Dipturus batis, were carried out by NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage as was) and Marine Scotland in the Firth of Lorn and Sound of Jura between June 2011 and March 2020... - New Zealand Flatworm (Arthurdendyus triangulatus) records for Scotland 2008-2014
The dataset comprises 'citizen science' records, reporting sightings by the public of New Zealand Flatworms in Scotland. - Rare plants database extract from Scottish Natural Heritage
This is a subset of the data held in the SNH plant spreadsheet. All records for the West Highland area were extracted as part of the NBN trial in SNH. Original spreadsheet supplied by John McKinnell end of October 2000. This extract was regarded as a temporary step and so the extraction has not been completely validated and this should be borne in mind when using the data... - Records of otters from Site Condition Monitoring in Scotland 2011-2012
The dataset comprises records of otter collected during 2011 and 2012 by Findlay Ecology Services Ltd under contract to SNH for Site Conditron Monitoring of 44 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Scotland for which otter is a qualifying feature. The dataset includes absence records. - Records of otters from surveys in relation to FCS casework in Angus, 2007
The dataset comprises records of otter collected by SNH in relation to Forestry Commission Scotland casework in five areas in Angus during 2007. - Records of pine martens from SNH casework reports and licence applications, 2005 - 2016
The dataset comprises records of pine marten and other species reported to SNH in relation to casework enquiries and licence applications to exclude the animals. Most records are of animals in buildings. - Recovery of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis in Scotland - Phase II
The origin and background for this study is the work carried out in 1995 as Phase I of the SNH Recovery Programme for the Medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis (Maitland 1996). - Recovery of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis in Scotland - Phase II [Archived]
Records of medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis, horse leech Haemopis sanguisuga and amphibians from the three primary sites identified in 1995 as having populations of H. medicinalis, sites within 1 km of these sites and five sites with previous records of H. medicinalis. </br> This dataset contains zero abundance records... - Reports of New Zealand Flatworms in Scotland, 1989 - 2005
The dataset comprises 'citizen science' records, reporting sightings by the public of New Zealand Flatworms, Arthurdendyus triangulatus (Artioposthia triangulata) in Scotland. - Review of otter status along the River Dee and its tributaries
Otters are found throughout the River Dee catchment from the mouth of the River Dee to many of the high-altitude lochs in the Grampian mountains. Key habitats include small streams, mires and marshes, for both foraging and breeding. Otters can move over long stretches of the River Dee and its tributaries. - River Dee catchment Survey and identification of sites of importance to otter, 2004
The study identified 28 important sites for otter in the Dee catchment, all of which are concentrated in the sub-catchments between Dinnet and Banchory. Sites identified as omportant are open water bodies and fens. No bogs have been categorised as important apart from the Black Moss of Dinnet. - River and brook lamprey monitoring of the Endrick Water SAC SSSI, 2003/04
Lamprey ammocoetes were encountered at 17 of the 18 sites and the maximum density encountered was 24m 2 at Catter Farm on the Endrick Water. Lamprey transformers were encountered at 10 of the 18 sites with a maximum density of 2.46m 2 at Quinloch Bridge on the Blane Water. Lampetra spp. transformers were recorded from 10 of the 16 survey sites... - SNH Bat Casework Recording log 2014
The dataset comprises bat roost location information extracted from roost record forms for 2014. - SNH Bat Casework Recording log 2015
The dataset comprises bat roost location information extracted from roost record forms for 2015. - SNH Bat Casework Recording log 2016
The dataset comprises bat roost location information extracted from roost record forms for 2016. - SNH Bat Casework records 1970-2007
The dataset comprises bat roost location information held within the bat module of SNH's Casework Recording System 1970 - 2007. - SNH Great crested newt records
Most records of Great crested newt held by SNH. </br> This complete dataset is being provided as an interim measure to help meet the requirements of Article 17 Surveillance reporting. The data will be resubmitted at a later date for publication on the Gateway as multiple surveys with individual metadata. - Scottish Wildcat Action - Monitoring and Surveys - Data 2013-2020
The dataset comprises records of native wildcat, wildcat/domestic cat hybrids, and feral domestic cats within six designated Priority Areas (PAs) and more widely, collected using baited camera trap surveys, collection of road casualty cats, live-trapping of cats during 'trap neuter vaccinate and return' (TNVR, non-wildcats) or for genetic screening and collaring (wildcats), and through the... - Sea lamprey distribution and abundance in the River Spey: phases II and III, 2001/2002
A quantitative survey of ammocoete abundance was undertaken between Grantown-on-Spey and Aviemore. Sampling further upstream was curtailed due to poor weather conditions and high flow levels. Two sea lamprey ammocoetes were found at a single site near Boat of Garten... - Site Condition Monitoring Records from surveys of lamprey species in five river SACs in Scotland
This compilation of surveys is being provided as an interim measure to help meet the requirements of Article 17 Surveillance reporting. The data will be resubmitted at a later date for publication on the Gateway as multiple surveys with individual metadata. </br> The dataset includes absence records - Site Condition Monitoring of Annex II Vertigo species in Scotland
Records from a survey of Vertigo angustior, V. geyeri and V. genesii on designated sites in Scotland where these species are notified features. - Site Condition Monitoring of Marsh Fritillary on designated sites in west Scotland 2014-15
The marsh fritillary butterfly Euphydryas aurinia is a Habitats Directive Annex II species that is widespread in Scotland in coastal Argyll and the Inner Hebrides, where Islay is the principal population. In Scotland it occurs among damp grasslands and heaths that are usually associated with some form of grazing. A survey was undertaken in autumns 2014 and 2015 of designated sites supporting... - Site Condition Monitoring of dragonflies on Loch aí Mhuilinn NNR - 2002
9 species of Odonata were recorded on the site, 4 with confirmed breeding. - Site Condition Monitoring of dragonflies on Loch aí Mhuilinn SSSI - 2010
The breeding of 7 species of Odonata was confirmed on the site, 8 species were recorded in total. This is one less species than was recorded in the 2002 SCM but this survey has 5 more species with confirmed breeding. All the species found are common species and widespread all over the Highlands. No rare or uncommon species were recorded... - Site Condition Monitoring of dragonflies on Loch aí Mhuilinn SSSI - 2016
The dragonfly assemblage on Loch aí Mhuilinn SSSI was in favourable maintained condition with no identified threats to it. - Site Condition Monitoring of dragonflies on Loch aí Mhuilinn SSSI potential extension - 2016
Loch a' Mhuilinn Site of Special Scientific Interest is of national importance for its woodland, lichens and the assemblage of dragonfly species. An extension to this SSSI was suggested to the north, south and as far east as the A894. This report contains the results of the 2016 survey of the dragonfly assemblage within the potential extension area. - Site Condition Monitoring of river habitats, 2013: River Tweed LEAFPACS vegetation data
LEAFPACS analysis showed that the Teviot, Ettrick and Yarrow were generally at High or Good status throughout and certainly at the ECS (Evaluated Corridor Section) scale. The upper to middle reaches of the Tweed mainstem and Whiteadder also were of High-Good quality but the middle and lower reaches of these rivers and the Blackadder were mostly of only Moderate status. - Site Condition Monitoring of river habitats, 2017: LEAFPACS aquatic plant survey
For the River Dee five targets passed (indicators of local distinctiveness, plant community, large woody debris, in-channel structures and siltation) and five targets failed (channel planform, habitat modification, bank vegetation naturalness, riparian zone naturalness and alien species). - Site Condition Monitoring of the downy willow Salix lapponum component of the Vascular Plant Assemblage interest of Skinsdale Peatlands SSSI, 2016
Considerably more downy willow Salix lapponum was present on the site than previously recorded. - Site condition monitoring of lamprey in the Endrick Water SSSI and SAC, 2012
Brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) and river lamprey (L. fluviatilis) are primary qualifying features of the Endrick Water Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and are notified features of the Endrick Water Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The data documents a lamprey survey conducted in 2012 as part of the Site Condition Monitoring programme for the designated site. - Southern Scotland Bat Survey, 2016
715 different 1 km squares (3.4% of the survey area) were surveyed for bats in 2016. This sample comprised 1,537 complete nights of recording in 1,422 different recording locations. 667,755 recordings were collected which, following analyses and validation, were found to include 399,242 bat recordings. - Species data for Scottish waters held and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage, derived from benthic surveys 1993 to 2018
The dataset comprises: species records from benthic surveys commissioned by SNH or partners where the outputs are under the custodianship of SNH. Additionally species records determined from SNH analysis of third party commissioned benthic survey video footage are included... - Standing Waters Database - Scotland
This dataset comprises the macrophyte records from the JNCC standing waters database. It includes 79,246 records from 3,547 locations from across England, Wales and Scotland and date from 1970 to 2000. The parent database held by SNH also holds information on invertabrates as well as the physical and chemical attributes of the individual standing waters and their respective catchments... - Stoats in Orkney Facebook page records & sightings, 2014 - 2015
Stoats are native to mainland Britain, but were first recorded in Orkney in 2010 following an assumed accidental introduction. Since the launch of the the 'Stoats in Orkney' Facebook page in September 2014, the majority of sightings have been reported via Facebook. Previously, records were reported directly to SNH, (these sightings are presented as a separate dataset). - Stoats in Orkney: records & sightings reported to SNH, 2010 - 2015
Stoats are native to mainland Britain, but were first recorded in Orkney in 2010 following an assumed accidental introduction. Initially records were reported directly to SNH, however, since the launch of the 'Stoats in Orkney' Facebook page in September 2014, more sightings have been reported via Facebook (these sightings are presented as a separate dataset). - Strathclyde badger sett surveys 1996-2000
A compilation of eight surveys commissioned by SNH covering Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire - Survey of Eurasian otter distribution in the Glenmore - Aviemore area, 2018: Camera trap mammal records
The survey found widespread distribution of otters in the study area. Otters were detected across a range of waterbody types and habitats, from small burns to wider rivers, Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich, and at elevations up to 628 metres. Camera trapping proved to be an effective tool for monitoring otter presence and added an important temporal dimension to activity patterns... - Survey of White-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes in Scotland
Records from a survey of White-clawed crayfish <i>Austropotamobius pallipes</i> in the two waterbodies where it was known to occur in Scotland in 2009. - Survey of distribution of beavers in Tayside in 2012
In response to evidence of increasing beaver (Castor fiber) activity in the Tay catchment, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) commissioned a survey to examine the status of beaver populations in the River Tay system. During the rapid survey, a total of 1,522 field signs and six beaver sightings were recorded... - Survey of giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam on 5 major Lothian rivers, 2003/04
Over the five Lothian rivers surveyed: Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed) was by far the most extensive of the three species, often forming semi-continuous stands along riverbanks which were frequently, on the North and South Esks in particular, within important habitats such as native riparian woodland... - Survey of slender naiad, Najas flexilis, in Loch of Butterstone and Loch of Craiglush
Records from a survey of Najas flexilis (Slender naiad) and associated waterplants from two linked lochs. - Survey of the Tayside Area Beaver Population, 2020-2021
The dataset comprises records of beavers or beaver signs from a commissioned survey of waterbodies in the River Tay catchment during 2020-21 - Surveys of beavers in the Rivers Balvag, Leny and Teith in 2012
In response to reports of beaver (Castor fiber) activity in the Trossachs, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) commissioned surveys of the distribution of beavers in the Rivers Balvag, Leny and Teith and tributaries... - Tayside Beaver Survey 2017-18
The dataset comprises records of beavers or beaver signs from a commissioned survey of watercourses in the River Tay catchment during 2017-18. - The ecology of Najas flexilis (Slender naiad)
Records from a survey and autoecological study of Najas flexilis (Slender naiad) and associated waterplants from Scotland (Mainland Scotland records only). </br> This dataset contains zero abundance records for N. flexilis. These were collected as part of a structured survey using the methodology described below - The occurrence and distribution of Najas flexilis (Slender naiad) in Loch of Craiglush, Loch of the Lowes and Loch of Butterstone
Records from a survey of Najas flexilis (Slender naiad) and associated waterplants from three linked lochs. - Vegetation surveys on Peatland Action sites across Scotland in 2014, 2015 and 2021
These data were collected to assess the vegetation response to Peatland Action restoration activities across Scotland; at 16 sites during 2014-2015 and 13 (of these) sites in 2021. A total of 1,002 quadrats (mostly 2x2 m) were surveyed during 2014-2015 and 873 in 2021. Percentage cover of all living vascular and non-vascular species was estimated... - Water vole survey of Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve - October 2011
SNH commissioned Waterside Ecology to undertake a survey within Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve (NNR) to identify and map the distribution of water vole colonies and identify those potentially at greatest risk of extinction... - Wild boar SASA sightings record
Sightings of wild boar/feral pig in Scotland have been uploaded on behalf of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), a Division of the Scottish Government Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities Directorate. - Wild boar culled on the National Forest Estate Scotland 2015-21
Records of wild boar/feral pig culled on Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) land in Scotland during 2015-21 have been uploaded on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), a non-ministerial government department responsible for managing the National Forest Estate through FES. - Wild boar culled on the National Forest Estate Scotland in 2015-16 [Archived]
Records of wild boar/feral pig culled on Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) land in Scotland during 2015-16 have been uploaded on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), a non-ministerial government department responsible for managing the National Forest Estate through FES. - Wild boar sightings held by Andy Riches
Sightings of wild boar/feral pig in Scotland have been uploaded on behalf of Andy Riches, Mammal Recorder for Dumfries & Galloway. The records are from throughout mainland Scotland.
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Metadata last updated on 2020-09-16 07:03:38.0
