In the Outer Hebrides, our team of Kirsty, Emma, Callum and Sharon are welcoming autumn off the back of a busy and successful summer. Here’s their rundown of what they’ve been up to:
Supporting biodiversity-friendly land management
This year we have been providing crofters across the Outer Hebrides with ‘no fence collars’. These collars open up areas of grazing which were previously inaccessible due to a lack of fencing. Grazing is an important tool in conserving wildlife habitats. As cattle graze, they remove coarse vegetation that competes with wildflowers, whilst spreading seeds and creating bare patches where new plants can establish. This allows a variety of plant species to flourish, which provides nectar sources for pollinators, which in turn attracts birdlife. So, as well as benefiting crofters by helping them make the most of their land and better monitor their cattle, these collars are beneficial for a whole range of species, including some of our Outer Hebridean ‘species on the edge’ like the Great Yellow Bumblebee and Lapwing. In May we were able to start distributing 50 no fence collars to crofters and we have just received funding from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for 30 more, which we will be distributing by the end of this year.
We also ran a number of FecPak events working with Techion, to demonstrate the benefits of testing livestock for worms and fluke, enabling more targeted use of medication, which has benefits for both wildlife and crofters. By reducing the use of pesticides there is less impact on insects such as dung beetles, and it also means reduced costs for crofters and prevents resistance in pest species. Don’t worry if you missed these events as we are planning an online event for early 2026 – more information coming soon.
Investigating Barra’s bats and beetles
As well as all our usual species surveys, Kirsty hosted our Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) colleagues for a few days this summer in Barra. Following on from some interesting data collected last year using acoustic traps, BCT were keen to gain a better understanding of which species might be here. Together they held some events, including overnight bat trapping, where Common Pipistrelles were found.
Kirsty also ran some events with our colleague Sally from Buglife looking for Short Necked Oil Beetles on the dunes at Eoligarry with the local primary school. The children were able to help with our surveys and found lots of beetles!
An engagement-focussed summer for Callum
Callum, our People Engagement Trainee, has been working with one of the Lewis community estates to run a series of events for the kids over the school holidays. Callum’s had them looking for and getting curious about all the wee beasties in their different habitats around the estate.
Callum also hosted the other Species on the Edge trainees – Mhairi, Luke and Lottie – for a team get together here in the Outer Hebrides, and will be heading over to the mainland for another opportunity to exchange experiences and learnings with the trainee team later this year.
The biggest ever Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival!
In June, our new Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival Coordinator, Sharon, joined the team, just in time to see the fourth iteration of the Wildlife Festival in action. She attended several events and told us this about her experience: “It was a privilege to attend a selection of events which celebrated the island’s unique landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage. I began with the Balranald Machair Guided Walk, which offered a close-up exploration of the rare and fragile machair habitat and learning about the remarkable birdlife. I then attended the Bumblebee G&T event run by North Uist Distillery and Bumblebee Conservation Trust, an engaging session which coupled gin-tasting with discussion on the important role bees play in sustaining both biodiversity and our everyday lives.
The next day, I joined RSPB’s Cuairt cainnt na h-eoin / The Language of Birds, a wonderful event where we were reminded how deeply the rhythms of birdlife are tied into Gaelic culture and storytelling. Finally, I travelled North to An Lanntair in Stornoway where I visited this year’s Wildlife Festival Art Exhibition and joined Sam Gare for her ‘In the Wake of Whales’ event, a painting workshop commemorating the mass polit whale stranding at North Tolsta in 2023.
Attending the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival was such a rewarding experience and a great chance to slow down, listen and connect with the extraordinary landscapes and wildlife of these islands, and the people working to celebrate and protect it.”
This year’s Festival saw over 5000 participants attend more than 80 events across the islands – our biggest Wildlife Festival so far! The dates have been set for next year’s festival and will be announced very soon – watch this space!
Gus combats the winter blues in the Outer Hebrides
On the eve of the clocks going back, when winter truly begins rearing its head, our youth panellist in the Outer Hebrides Gus ran a fantastic nature connection event. 50 people came together at the The Fáilte Centre in Stornoway to share tips, reflections and experiences on preparing for winter in the Hebrides. With the help of many lamps borrowed from friends, deep armchairs and an extraordinary selection of nature-themed bakes provided by the Hebirdean Baker, Gus expertly crafted the perfect cosy, comfy setting for attendees to coorie doon on the last evening of British summertime.
Guest speakers gave inspiring talks of their struggles in these darker days and how they triumph over the winter blues through nature connection. Attendees heard amazing poems of Hebridean species and learnt more about how they can get involved in efforts to combat the climate and biodiversity crises through engagement in citizen science, beach cleaning and small lifestyle and domestic habit changes.
Feedback on the event was really positive with comments like ‘we should make this a regular thing’ and ‘why haven’t we done this before now?!’. A huge well done to Gus for what sounds like a truly delightful and impactful evening.
That’s all for now!
Any news of events or opportunities over the winter months will come to you via email so, if you haven’t already, make sure you’re signed up to the Species on the Edge Outer Hebrides mailing list: Join our mailing list!
