Shetland

In Shetland, we have a team of two Species on the Edge officers, Gareth and Harry, who are working closely with local communities and crofters to secure a future for nine nationally rare and vulnerable species.  Our activity Creation and management of habitats Plant propagation Species survey and habitat monitoring Advice and training for land managers Farm visits, workshops and demonstration events Volunteer opportunities and training Recruitment of species or site champions Development of ambassador schools

Our species

Are you interested in helping wildlife on your croft?

Species on the Edge can provide free advice to help you identify what you have on your land and how to protect it. Get in touch with our Shetland Project Officer, Gareth, who can discuss your options and possible funding.

Here’s some things you could be doing:

Habitat management for wading birds

Scrapes are temporary shallow pools that gradually dry out through the spring and summer. They provide valuable feeding habitat for a wide range of birds, but particularly breeding waders such as lapwing and curlews.

Scrapes can be created by reducing drainage from natural depressions, or by excavating shallow pools. Important features are shallow slopes, plenty of edge and deeper points sufficient to hold water through until June. Learn more about scrapes: Scrapes | RSPB.

The great thing about creating scrapes on your land (beyond providing valuable habitat for your local wading birds) is that you can still keep sheep grazing on your land, and Species on the Edge might be able to pay for the work! Get in touch to find out more. 

Growing crops for biodiversity

In Shetland, we are supporting crofters to grow crops which benefit pollinators in the summer and farm birds, such as linties (twite), in the winter. We have developed a bird mix that is specially designed for Shetland and have already planted seven plots across four different crofts, a well as five plots on Fair Isle. Get in touch to get involved.

Surveying

Crucial to our work at Species on the Edge is learning as much as we can about our priority species, so that this information can then inform the action we take to support them. And you can help! We are providing free training so that people all over Shetland can help us learn more about the islands’ most vulnerable flora and fauna. If you are intersted in our team conducting surveys on your land, or you are intersted in learning how to do it yourself, get in touch.

Resources

• A guide to the bumblebees of Orkney and Shetland | Species on the Edge
• Farmland waders in Shetland: A best practice guide for farmers and crofters
• Farming and crofting for wildlife: Over-wintered stubble | RSPB
• Scrape creation for waders | RSPB
• Nature-friendly farming in action | Nature Friendly Farming Network; Farm Wildlife
• Managing grassland for breeding waders | RSPB
• Rush management for breeding waders | RSPB