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{{wfy-date|October 2006}}
The lands, seas and skies of the Northern European country of [[Scotland]] provide an excellent habitat for many unique and indigenous animals.
==Scottish Wild Life==
Scotland is a country of hills, [[lochs]], seas and islands that provide a haven to over 90,000 species in [[Scotland]].
[[Birdlife]] abounds, and you can expect to see a variety of species that include the magnificent white-tailed [[sea eagle]] and [[golden eagle]], comical [[puffins]], graceful manx shearwaters, menacing bonxies, elusive storm petrels and the tiny and endemic [[St Kilda]] wren.
Cetaceans - [[whales]], [[dolphins]] and [[porpoise]] - are always present in Hebridean waters and are joined mid-season by [[basking sharks]] - the second largest fish in the world
[[Seals]] are far from elusive, but just as delightful to watch as they bask on rocks in the sun, or perform their comical 'bottling' routine in the water. And did you know they can 'sing'? This is an eerie and haunting noise when you first hear it, and you'll soon understand the mystery of folklore behind the 'selkies'.
==Scottish Wildlife Trust==
The [[Scottish Wildlife Trust]] (SWT) is a leading voluntary conservation organisation, working to protect Scotland's natural environment and wildlife.
===Scottish Mammals===
The largest mammals to live in Scottish waters are the whales. The [[Moray Firth]] features the world's largest [[bottlenose dolphin]]s, and [[pilot whales]] regularly breed here.
The family [[Mustelidae]] is represented by [[badger]], [[mink]], [[stoats]] and [[ermine]] as well as the common [[weasel]], all of whom hunt many of the elusive and rare rodent species across the country - many of which, due to the over-abundance of predatory animals are in danger of dying out.
[[Fox]]es exist in both Scottish towns, cities and countryside and are treated like vermin by most people for raiding urban refuse storage, as well as the typical chicken coops of the farmland they originate on.
Conifer forests are made home by [[red squirrel]], whilst the much more common [[grey squirrel]] has taken over the territory of the former animal in much of southern Scotland, as well as most of the south of Britain.
===Scottish Birdlife===
Birds of prey found in Scotland include the magnificent [[golden eagle]], and the [[red kite]], as well as the smaller [[peregrine falcon]] and [[common kestrel]].
Wild game bird species include [[capercaillie]], found only in the Highlands, [[red grouse]], [[ptarmigan]], [[quail]], [[partridge]] which are all found on the moors and nationwide, the [[common pheasant]].
===Scottish Fish===
Scotland's cool, temperate waters are filled with a variety of fish species, its freshwater river systems and streams as well as it's coastal seas are inhabited by many fishes from the smallest [[minnow]]s to the largest [[shark]]s, from [[salmon]] and [[trout]] to the graceful [[skate]] and [[Batoidea|rays]].
The largest fish to make Scottish seas its home is the [[basking shark]](the second largest fish in the world), as well as many small [[dogfish]] species, and mid-size sharks such as the [[porbeagle]] and the [[blue shark]].
===Where to see Scottish Wildlife===
One of most wonderful part of Scottish Wildlife is seening the [[whales]], [[dolphins]] and [[porpoise]]. These can only been seen from boats which will take you around Scottish waters. [[Hebridean]] waters and are joined mid-season by [[basking sharks]] - the second largest fish in the world - all of which can be easily and safely observed in their natural environment.
* [[Highland Wildlife Park]]
* [[Loch Lomond]] & [[Trossach National Park]]
* [[Forestry Commission]] (Scotland)
* [[Central Scotland Forest Trust]]
==External links==
* [http://www.swt.org.uk Scottish Wildlife Trust]
* [http://www.wildlifedirectory.co.uk Wildlife Directory]
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{{Scotland}}
[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:Scottish]]
[[Category:Conservation in Scotland]]
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