WHAT DO the white-tailed eagle, wildcat and water vole have in common?

They and 20 other species are included in a new list of priority species for action in Scotland.

Scottish Natural Heritage’s document Making the difference for Scotland’s species: a framework for action identifies animals and plants in need of greater conservation, as well as non-native species that pose a threat to native wildlife.

Launching the framework yesterday, deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin urged the public to give their views.

“People care deeply about Scotland’s wildlife,” she said. “This consultation presents everyone with a unique opportunity to protect our natural heritage.

“We need to assess species at risk and ... determine which former species missing from our landscape might be re-introduced.”

Professor Colin Galbraith, SNH director of scientific and advisory ser- vices, said, “This framework ... includes some of Scotland’s most iconic animals and plants, but it also represents less well-known species such as the lesser butterfly orchid and the woolly willow.

“We have also included non-native species which urgently need to be controlled, such as the signal crayfish and American mink, and those which we think could be an economic resource for humans. We are very keen to get views from across Scotland.”

Scotland’s most threatened plants and animals are listed as the black grouse, capercaillie, corn bunting, corncrake, freshwater pearl mussel, great yellow bumble bee, lesser butterfly orchid, red squirrel, small cow wheat, Scottish wildcat, vendace, water vole, white-tailed eagle and woolly willow. Also included is the European beaver, whose re-introduction the Scottish Executive has turned down.

The native oyster and red deer are said to have the potential to be taken for food.

The initiative was welcomed by RSPB Scotland director Stuart Housden who said more had to be done if the Executive is to meet its 2010 target of halting loss of biodiversity.