About this episode

Mark and Rachel explore wildlife conservation efforts in Scotland, focusing on little egrets, peacocks, and wildfire management.

Mark visits NatureScot’s Forvie National Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire where little egrets have bred in north-east Scotland for the first time. They are a welcome addition to the reserve although as manager Catriona Reid tells him, climate change is thought to be the reason that these once Mediterranean birds have travelled further north. Rachel meets the fourth finalist in the environmental category of the BBC Scotland Make a Difference Awards. EPIC, Enabling Projects in Clackmannanshire, volunteers are nominated for their efforts in improving biodiversity and access to nature across their area. Rachel catches up with some of them as they carry out work clearing pathways. With the impact of the Cairngorm wildfires still being felt, attention has turned to how similar scenarios might be tackled in the future. Earlier this week Mark met Wildfire Consultant Michael Bruce at his estate at Glentanar in Deeside. Michael is also Chair of the South Grampian Wildfire Group and was involved in tackling the Glenmore fire. He tells Mark about the different aspects involved in tackling wildfires and what we might have to consider in the future in terms of land management. Rachel is in…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mark, Rachel

Topics covered

• wildlife
• climate change
• biodiversity
• wildfires
• community efforts
• birdwatching

Keywords

• little egrets
• climate change
• biodiversity
• wildfires
• Pittencrieff Park
• Catriona Reid
• Michael Bruce
• EPIC
• nature reserve

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NatureScot, BBC Scotland Make a Difference Awards, EPIC, South Grampian Wildfire Group

Places: Cairngorm, Glentanar, Deeside, Dunfermline, Pittencrieff Park, north-east Scotland, Aberdeenshire

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