Before things start to feel too wintery and we lose all memory of that distant thing called summer, here’s a look back at what the Species on the Edge Outer Hebrides team got up to in the (supposedly) sunnier months.
We welcomed a new Project Officer, Kirsty!
Coming off the back of an extremely busy survey season, we are very happy to welcome Kirsty to the team, the new Species on the Edge Project Officer for Uist and Barra. Kirsty will be focusing her work in Uist and Barra, which will allow Emma to focus on working with crofters and land managers in Lewis and Harris.
We got soggy while surveying
The last six months has seen us battling the weather to survey areas across the Outer Hebrides, with the help of volunteers. We had varying success surveying the different species; bumblebees had a particularly difficult year, but we were still seeing good numbers on days when the weather improved, and even on those really windy days, the great yellows tried their hardest to battle the elements. We also managed to get some bat recording devices out at strategic locations, the results of which are looking very promising.
One species that seems to have had mixed fortunes was the Irish Ladies tresses. They had a very late year and in some areas their numbers were very low. This is a species that can fluctuate from year to year, so we’ll need to see what the results are next year before we jump to any conclusions. We also worked with local partners to contribute to the national little tern survey this year. Initial survey numbers were very promising, with birds congregating in larger numbers in colonies in Uist and Barra. Unfortunately, high tides coincided with a storm surge to wipe away one colony in Barra, which was tragic to see. However, other colonies fared better elsewhere.
We have been working with crofters in Uist and Lewis to tackle areas with high rush burden to improve habitat for waders. Last year we topped over 80ha of grassland, which we surveyed this year for waders. It’s still early days, but we are already seeing redshank, curlew and oystercatchers using these areas, and have also spotted the occasional snipe.
Over the summer we’ve also been out and about in the community running events across the Outer Hebrides, including a family-friendly day of mask-making and creating seed bombs, bumblebee monitoring training sessions for volunteers, and, of course, the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival.
We celebrated wildlife at the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival
This year’s Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival was a resounding success, connecting people with nature through a rich programme featuring talks on humpback whales, guided bat and bird walks, volunteer-led bumblebee safaris, creative activities, and interactive workshops. High participation and positive feedback reflect the community’s enthusiasm for wildlife and conservation. It was a pleasure working with the various venues and event organisers across the Outer Hebrides.
Volunteers played a crucial role, enhancing both the festival’s reach and its impact. One highlight was the launch of the Outer Hebrides Bat Group—Gus, a volunteer member of the Species on the Edge Youth Panel, led bat walks that became some of the most popular events. It was wonderful to work in partnership with the Bat Conservation Trust and Gus to establish the Outer Hebrides Bat Group and coordinate and promote bat-related festival events; An Lanntair got involved too, hosting events which creatively explored bats through echolocation games and make-your-own-bat-kite workshops. Bat sightings in the Outer Hebrides are rare and it is hoped that through such engagement events, as well as bat surveys, the Outer Hebrides Bat Group can increase bat records in the Outer Hebrides.
Overall, by fostering connections with nature and offering meaningful volunteer opportunities, the festival showcased the power of community engagement in conservation efforts.
Pairc School played their part for pollinators
Following some bumblebee-focussed activities led by our People Engagement Officer, Mairi, Pairc School achieved their Bumblebee Friendly Schools Bronze Award—a fantastic milestone in their journey toward conservation and sustainability! Their wildflower area has flourished, creating a vibrant habitat for local pollinators. They’re thrilled to be a Bumblebee Ambassador School, proudly contributing to the protection of these essential insects and inspiring a love for nature in students. Congratulations to Pairc School for their dedication and hard work! Learn more about the Bumblebee Friendly Awards Scheme.
We, and Bob the Bumblebee, went to HEBCELT
At the HEBCELT Festival, Species on the Edge hosted a vibrant information stall and nature table, fostering connections between festival-goers and the unique wildlife of our area. Through this interactive setup, we raised awareness about Species on the Edge and shared exciting opportunities for wildlife volunteering.
A festival highlight was the Name the Furry Bumblebee competition! Out of over 100 creative entries, Bob the Bumblebee was chosen as the winner by a lovely little girl named Daisy. A big thank you to all the children and families who visited, participated, and shared their wonderful name ideas.
We’re also grateful to everyone who stopped by to make wildflower seed balls, explore our nature table, and share what matters to them in nature. The overwhelmingly positive response was encouraging, with many enthusiastic individuals stepping forward to volunteer, helping us run the stall and engage the community. We were delighted by the number of people who shared stories of bats in their gardens and neighbourhoods, which the newly formed Outer Hebrides Bat Group will hope to explore further. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this inspiring effort to deepen our connection with nature!
And we’ve begun our search for our newest recruit!
We have been delighted to launch our search for the newest member of the Species on the Edge Outer Hebrides team – a full time Community Engagement Trainee. Find out all about the opportunity and how to apply here:
That’s all folks
We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who has got involved with Species on the Edge this year – what a year it’s been. Keep an eye on the Species on the Edge website, on our social media channels, and make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list to keep up to date with all programme news and updates over the coming months.
And remember, you can find out everything you need to know about Species on the Edge in the Outer Hebrides on our Outer Hebrides page, including our local target species, what we’re up to and how to get in touch with your local officers.
