North East Scotland Mammal Network
@nesmammals.bsky.social
Celebrating North East Scotland's mammals through conservation, recording and research.
nesmamnet.org
nesmamnet.org
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Hello BlueSky from the North East Scotland Mammal Network! We are a local mammal group (founded in 2023) covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Looking forward to interacting with #mammal enthusiasts all over this platform.
Folks sometimes struggle to tell Bank Voles and Field Voles apart. Both are abundant and overlap substantially in habitat use. But no mistaking on this great clear footage, with bonus Wood Mouse too.
#smallmammal
#smallmammal
Field #Mouse and Bank #Voles in the garden in Aberdeen today. First voles seen here for many years. Dull day, and photographed through the window ...
@nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Folks sometimes struggle to tell Bank Voles and Field Voles apart. Both are abundant and overlap substantially in habitat use. But no mistaking on this great clear footage, with bonus Wood Mouse too.
#smallmammal
#smallmammal
It's World Wetlands Day, so what more excuse do we need to post one of our favourite videos, a Water Shrew in Aberdeenshire, feeding in a #SmallMammal #CameraTrap box?
#WorldWetlandsDay2026
#mammal
#WorldWetlandsDay2026
#mammal
February 2, 2026 at 7:03 AM
It's World Wetlands Day, so what more excuse do we need to post one of our favourite videos, a Water Shrew in Aberdeenshire, feeding in a #SmallMammal #CameraTrap box?
#WorldWetlandsDay2026
#mammal
#WorldWetlandsDay2026
#mammal
The temperature may be low and the days short, but there's still plenty of mammaly activity going on. Check out our latest blog, to read about what some of them are up to at this time of year:
nesmamnet.org/2026/01/27/m...
nesmamnet.org/2026/01/27/m...
January 29, 2026 at 9:21 AM
The temperature may be low and the days short, but there's still plenty of mammaly activity going on. Check out our latest blog, to read about what some of them are up to at this time of year:
nesmamnet.org/2026/01/27/m...
nesmamnet.org/2026/01/27/m...
Last chance to sign up for Wednesday evening's webinar...
What is the status of the Polecat in Scotland? Find out when Katherine McBride, of @vincentwt.bsky.social, joins us for our next webinar, on Wednesday 28 January, to discuss the National Polecat Survey.
Booking: www.eventbrite.com/e/national-p...
Booking: www.eventbrite.com/e/national-p...
January 26, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Last chance to sign up for Wednesday evening's webinar...
Have you submitted mammal records for 2025 yet? There's a range of ways to do so and a section on our website all about this: nesmamnet.org/recording-ma...
January 19, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Have you submitted mammal records for 2025 yet? There's a range of ways to do so and a section on our website all about this: nesmamnet.org/recording-ma...
What is the status of the Polecat in Scotland? Find out when Katherine McBride, of @vincentwt.bsky.social, joins us for our next webinar, on Wednesday 28 January, to discuss the National Polecat Survey.
Booking: www.eventbrite.com/e/national-p...
Booking: www.eventbrite.com/e/national-p...
January 14, 2026 at 8:01 PM
What is the status of the Polecat in Scotland? Find out when Katherine McBride, of @vincentwt.bsky.social, joins us for our next webinar, on Wednesday 28 January, to discuss the National Polecat Survey.
Booking: www.eventbrite.com/e/national-p...
Booking: www.eventbrite.com/e/national-p...
Reposted by North East Scotland Mammal Network
A bit soggy, but the squirrels are back now the snow is going.
@scotsquirrels.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
@scotsquirrels.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 1:13 PM
A bit soggy, but the squirrels are back now the snow is going.
@scotsquirrels.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
@scotsquirrels.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
Great write up about research into using drones and AI to monitor the Ythan estuary's Grey Seals: share.google/zqtelHoD6GiG...
@srucnews.bsky.social
🦭🦭🦭
@srucnews.bsky.social
🦭🦭🦭
How AI is helping to study tourist impact on seals
Processing drone data can take hours, but an AI tool is doing the job within a matter a seconds.
share.google
January 5, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Great write up about research into using drones and AI to monitor the Ythan estuary's Grey Seals: share.google/zqtelHoD6GiG...
@srucnews.bsky.social
🦭🦭🦭
@srucnews.bsky.social
🦭🦭🦭
Reposted by North East Scotland Mammal Network
Turned colder last night - though only just on freezing & calm with a bit of snow. Wow! Let's party! 110 Soprano Pipistrelle clips, 38 Commons and 1 Nathusius' on night of 1-2 Jan in Aberdeen.
Happy New Year everyone!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
Happy New Year everyone!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Turned colder last night - though only just on freezing & calm with a bit of snow. Wow! Let's party! 110 Soprano Pipistrelle clips, 38 Commons and 1 Nathusius' on night of 1-2 Jan in Aberdeen.
Happy New Year everyone!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
Happy New Year everyone!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
Most of us just target bat recording during the warmer months - but year-round monitoring at this Aberdeen site shows year-round activity.
2025 #bat closing scores in Aberdeen:
Soprano Pip 16 Dec nights, last on 30th
Common Pip 11 nights, last 31st
Nathusius' Pip 8 nights, last 23rd (only a couple of prev Dec recs in NE Scotland)
Last Daubenton's: 18 Oct; Brown Long-eared: 31 Oct
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
Soprano Pip 16 Dec nights, last on 30th
Common Pip 11 nights, last 31st
Nathusius' Pip 8 nights, last 23rd (only a couple of prev Dec recs in NE Scotland)
Last Daubenton's: 18 Oct; Brown Long-eared: 31 Oct
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Most of us just target bat recording during the warmer months - but year-round monitoring at this Aberdeen site shows year-round activity.
Head over to our website for the lastest installment in Annie Lamb's month-to-month account of what our mammals are up to.
nesmamnet.org/2025/12/31/m...
nesmamnet.org/2025/12/31/m...
Mammals in December
Frost and snow aren’t as common with us as they used to be. But the mammals’ adaptations to winter remain, and will protect them in case of a prolonged frost. Besides, up on the Cairngorms plateau …
nesmamnet.org
December 31, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Head over to our website for the lastest installment in Annie Lamb's month-to-month account of what our mammals are up to.
nesmamnet.org/2025/12/31/m...
nesmamnet.org/2025/12/31/m...
Brilliant results from an hour's search by our friends in Staffordshire.
Still time to get out looking for nests in NE Scotland (though might also need a shovel to dig away the snow if trying in the next few days).
Still time to get out looking for nests in NE Scotland (though might also need a shovel to dig away the snow if trying in the next few days).
An excellent hour spent looking for Harvest Mice nests in the Churnet Valley with 14 found during the session. Winter is the best time to search for HM nests as they are empty.
December 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Brilliant results from an hour's search by our friends in Staffordshire.
Still time to get out looking for nests in NE Scotland (though might also need a shovel to dig away the snow if trying in the next few days).
Still time to get out looking for nests in NE Scotland (though might also need a shovel to dig away the snow if trying in the next few days).
Have you seen a Polecat? Then send the record to the National Polecat Survey run by @vincentwt.bsky.social.
And we're delighted that VWT's Carnivore Conservation Office and survey coordinator, Katherine McBride, will be our next webinar speaker, on 28 January. Watch this space for details.
And we're delighted that VWT's Carnivore Conservation Office and survey coordinator, Katherine McBride, will be our next webinar speaker, on 28 January. Watch this space for details.
Last chance to submit polecat sightings from 2024 and 2025 to our #NationalPolecatSurvey! We'll be sharing findings from the survey in 2026. Thank you to everyone who has taken part!
Report via:
- arcg.is/1TXqHC
- The @mammalsociety.bsky.social Mammal Mapper App
- iNaturalist
- Send us a message
Report via:
- arcg.is/1TXqHC
- The @mammalsociety.bsky.social Mammal Mapper App
- iNaturalist
- Send us a message
December 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Have you seen a Polecat? Then send the record to the National Polecat Survey run by @vincentwt.bsky.social.
And we're delighted that VWT's Carnivore Conservation Office and survey coordinator, Katherine McBride, will be our next webinar speaker, on 28 January. Watch this space for details.
And we're delighted that VWT's Carnivore Conservation Office and survey coordinator, Katherine McBride, will be our next webinar speaker, on 28 January. Watch this space for details.
Some Christmas TV viewing, featuring long-term research by University of Aberdeen on the Moray Firth Bottlenose Dolphins:
www.facebook.com/share/1DEw9Y... (link opens as a Facebook post).
🐬🐬🐬
www.facebook.com/share/1DEw9Y... (link opens as a Facebook post).
🐬🐬🐬
December 22, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Some Christmas TV viewing, featuring long-term research by University of Aberdeen on the Moray Firth Bottlenose Dolphins:
www.facebook.com/share/1DEw9Y... (link opens as a Facebook post).
🐬🐬🐬
www.facebook.com/share/1DEw9Y... (link opens as a Facebook post).
🐬🐬🐬
Reposted by North East Scotland Mammal Network
First year of Wildcat reintroduction project hailed a success
NatureScot-backed research confirms that breeding and release has delivered high survival and early breeding success for Scotland’s Wildcats www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/F...
NatureScot-backed research confirms that breeding and release has delivered high survival and early breeding success for Scotland’s Wildcats www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/F...
First year of Wildcat reintroduction project hailed a success
NatureScot-backed research confirms that breeding and release has delivered high survival and early breeding success for Scotland’s Wildcats
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
First year of Wildcat reintroduction project hailed a success
NatureScot-backed research confirms that breeding and release has delivered high survival and early breeding success for Scotland’s Wildcats www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/F...
NatureScot-backed research confirms that breeding and release has delivered high survival and early breeding success for Scotland’s Wildcats www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/F...
Reposted by North East Scotland Mammal Network
Still getting Nathusius' Pipistrelle #bats in the garden - the latest ever here in NE Scotland. Several last night.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Still getting Nathusius' Pipistrelle #bats in the garden - the latest ever here in NE Scotland. Several last night.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
Reposted by North East Scotland Mammal Network
One week remaining. Applications need to include two references, so don't leave it too late to apply for this @srucnews.bsky.social CASE partnership with @ptes-org.bsky.social.
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Two weeks left to apply for #PhD on declines in rural #Hedgehogs.
🦔
This is a @srucnews.bsky.social EastBio CASE project in partnership with (and co-supervised by) @ptes-org.bsky.social.
🦔
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
🦔
Applications close 15 December
🦔
📷 Silviu Petrovan
🦔
This is a @srucnews.bsky.social EastBio CASE project in partnership with (and co-supervised by) @ptes-org.bsky.social.
🦔
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
🦔
Applications close 15 December
🦔
📷 Silviu Petrovan
December 8, 2025 at 7:24 PM
One week remaining. Applications need to include two references, so don't leave it too late to apply for this @srucnews.bsky.social CASE partnership with @ptes-org.bsky.social.
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Fantastic that the Red Squirrels are doing so well around Aberdeen.
At least one Red Squirrel is still around St Fittick's Park. This one was coming into the bird feeders today.
#UKWildlife #Squirrels #Mammals
#UKWildlife #Squirrels #Mammals
December 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Fantastic that the Red Squirrels are doing so well around Aberdeen.
It was a bumper autumn for Nathusius' Pipistrelle in NE Scotland (and beyond). Read @batconservation.bsky.social's post to learn about some even found out in the North Sea.
🦇 Every now and again, our National Bat Helpline deals with peculiar cases. This one was too good not to share with you - keep reading!
batconservationtrust.substack.com/p/bats-at-sea
batconservationtrust.substack.com/p/bats-at-sea
December 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
It was a bumper autumn for Nathusius' Pipistrelle in NE Scotland (and beyond). Read @batconservation.bsky.social's post to learn about some even found out in the North Sea.
Reposted by North East Scotland Mammal Network
This fascinating short article is highly recommended for anyone interested in marine mammals, zooarchaeology, history, folklore, Orkney and the links between humans, seals and the sea.
@mammalsociety.bsky.social
@coastalpaleo.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social
@marinemammalogy.bsky.social
@mammalsociety.bsky.social
@coastalpaleo.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social
@marinemammalogy.bsky.social
What a privilege to be among the final contributing authors for @sapiens.org. This piece grows out of my Earth fellowship in Orkney, Scotland, exploring deep-time human–seal relations.
Grateful for the chance to share it and keen to hear what you think. www.sapiens.org/culture/seal...
Grateful for the chance to share it and keen to hear what you think. www.sapiens.org/culture/seal...
Connections and Conflicts With Seals in a Scottish Archipelago
An environmental archaeologist investigates deep-time, mythical, and contemporary relations between seals and Orkney Islanders.
www.sapiens.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This fascinating short article is highly recommended for anyone interested in marine mammals, zooarchaeology, history, folklore, Orkney and the links between humans, seals and the sea.
@mammalsociety.bsky.social
@coastalpaleo.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social
@marinemammalogy.bsky.social
@mammalsociety.bsky.social
@coastalpaleo.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social
@marinemammalogy.bsky.social
Read the latest story on our website, as Mike Raby recounts our wonderful training day, recently, learning about mammal tracks and signs.
nesmamnet.org/2025/11/26/t...
nesmamnet.org/2025/11/26/t...
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Read the latest story on our website, as Mike Raby recounts our wonderful training day, recently, learning about mammal tracks and signs.
nesmamnet.org/2025/11/26/t...
nesmamnet.org/2025/11/26/t...
Hedgehog PhD opportunity, based at @srucnews.bsky.social Aberdeen campus.
New #mammal conservation #PhD: "Understanding and Addressing Rural Hedgehog Population Declines".
@srucnews.bsky.social EastBio CASE project in partnership with (and co-supervised by) @ptes-org.bsky.social.
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Act fast - applications close 15 December.
🦔🦔🦔
@srucnews.bsky.social EastBio CASE project in partnership with (and co-supervised by) @ptes-org.bsky.social.
Details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Act fast - applications close 15 December.
🦔🦔🦔
November 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Hedgehog PhD opportunity, based at @srucnews.bsky.social Aberdeen campus.
Reposted by North East Scotland Mammal Network
Single Nathusius' and Soprano Pipistrelle #bats out in the snow here in Aberdeen last night. Brave.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Single Nathusius' and Soprano Pipistrelle #bats out in the snow here in Aberdeen last night. Brave.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social
Coming up Wednesday evening. Don't forget to book 👇
Join us for our webinar on Wednesday 19 November, when Paul Reynolds of New Arc Wildlife Rescue will tell us all about the work that they do to rehabilitate local wildlife.
Book here: www.eventbrite.com/e/new-arc-wi...
#mammal
Book here: www.eventbrite.com/e/new-arc-wi...
#mammal
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Coming up Wednesday evening. Don't forget to book 👇