Horse of the woods

 

 

[Visit Scotland]

“Scotland is blessed with an abundance of marvellous creatures great and small which inhabit land, water and air. Here is an introduction to one of the native Scottish species which features in our fantastic Scottish Wildlife Series ebook.

Meet the capercaillie, one of the most iconic Scottish wildlife species, and yet also one of its most elusive. This large wood grouse inhabits Scottish native pinewoods and conifer plantations. The male of the species, with its inky plumage, fanned tail, gleaning turquoise breast and crimson fringed eyes, is a particularly striking sight.

Unfortunately the increasingly scarcity of these habitats makes spotting these birds quite difficult. So much so in fact, that it faces a real possibility of extinction and currently features on the ‘Red List’. But there is still a chance you could catch sight of one! Even if you’re more likely to hear rather than see it.

During the ‘lekking’ or mating season which lasts from around March to the end of June, listen carefully and you might hear the distinctive call of the male – best described a low-decimal series of ‘clicks and ‘pops’ – to lure potential mates. Autumn is also a prime time to try a catch a glimpse of these shy birds before they vanish to hibernate for the winter.

Download our Scottish Wildlife Series ebook now to learn more fascinating facts about these magnificent birds and five other favourite Scottish animals.”

Learn more about Scotland’s wildlife : HERE

 

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62 Fish at once !

 

[Visit Scotland]

“Scotland is blessed with an abundance of marvellous creatures great and small which inhabit land, water and air. Here is an introduction to one of the native Scottish wildlife species which features in our fantastic Scottish Wildlife Series ebook.

There is just something about PUFFINS that makes them irresistible. Maybe it’s their clownish faces, comical gait or colourful parrot-like beaks, but they are without a doubt one of the most coveted sightings for birdwatchers and wildlife lovers.

Luckily for us, Scotland happens to be prime location in the British Isles to spot PUFFINS. We even have our own special nicknames for them, such as ‘tammie norries’. The majority belong to the colonies dispersed through the west and north coast of the country, but there are many smaller groups found elsewhere.

Puffins spend most of the year in the open ocean, but from late April to mid-August, hundreds of thousands of them return to Scotland to breed. July is the peak time to see the bird with their beaks brimming over with fresh fish to feed their chicks, delightfully called ‘pufflings’.

Somewhat ungainly on land, puffins are remarkably lithe swimmers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater and their webbed feet as a rudder. They also partner-up for life, with the males courting potential mates with gifts of grass and feathers. Their distinctive beaks are another source of fascination – a unique hinging mechanism makes it extraordinarily flexible and it actually drops off before the onset of winter to reveal a much dinkier beak.

Download our Scottish Wildlife Series ebook now to learn more fascinating puffin facts about these magnificent birds and five other favourite Scottish animals”

Learn more about Scotland’s wildlife : HERE

 

Scotland. A spirit of its own.

Visit Scotland here 

[Visit Scotland]

PRIDE

I never felt like this before

Try to hold it back and I feel it even more
Sweat drips down my spine and my knees are weak
I can not move, I can not speak

But then you came and I held it together again
I managed to stumble through
Fifty thousand voices singing in the rain
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do

Cause I’d move mountains if you asked me to
I’d swim the seven seas
I’ll be the one to hold your torch again
I’ll do anything you ask of me

Cause I’d move mountains if you asked me to
I’d swim the seven seas
I’ll be the one to hold your torch again
I’ll do anything you ask of me

I never knew how proud I would feel
Just standing in the rain.
These three words mean everything to me
And I’d sing it again and again.

Cause I’d move mountains if you asked me to
I’d swim the seven seas
I’ll be the one to hold your torch again
I’ll do anything you ask of me

Cause I’d move mountains if you asked me to
I’d swim the seven seas
I’ll be the one to hold your torch again
I’ll do anything you ask of me

Well the blue and the white of the flag shines bright
And it’s blowing there for me.
With my hand on my heart, the honest truth
There’s nowhere I’d rather be.

Cause I’d move mountains if you asked me to
I’d swim the seven seas
I’ll be the one to hold your torch again
I’ll do anything you ask of me

Cause I’d move mountains if you asked me to
I’d swim the seven seas
I’ll be the one to hold your torch again
I’ll do anything you ask of me

Written by Amy Elizabeth Macdonald • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

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