Welcome to the twenty-fifth weekly stoat snippet!
These snippets will be a short update on progress with both the Orkney Native Wildlife Project and the Orkney Mainland Predator Invasion Biosecurity Project, as well as addressing any concerns that folk have raised with SNH and RSPB Scotland.
If you are new to these snippets and want to know more about the project, check out this blog.
Orkney Native Wildlife Project
As you will know from previous snippets the trapping trial and community consultation have now finished and we’ve been analysing the results. But don’t forget that if you have any questions or concerns you can still get in touch.
The team have an interim meeting with Heritage Lottery Fund on Tuesday to discuss the progress in the project’s development. It’s then all hands on deck to finalise the Activity Plan (all the events and activities decided through consultation that will happen during the main project) and Operational Plan (how the eradication trapping will happen), along with other essential preparation for the main project period, ahead of submitting the Stage 2 funding application later this year.
Incursion responses
Hoy: Work continues on Hoy to try to determine whether there are multiple stoats and how widespread they are, however, last week it was heavily disrupted by the weather. The Hoy team were unable to get to the island on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Some trap checks were completed on Tuesday though and we hope the weather will continue to improve (ie no snow and less wind) to make the team’s job less challenging.
Some of cameras have been checked with footage of the usual animals including rats, rabbits, mountain hares and sheep. A pair of mallards made their debut on screen too.
No stoats have been caught or picked up on camera this week. So overall, we’ve caught no stoats but had one confirmed and one potential sighting on camera.
Please remember, if anyone thinks they have seen a stoat on Hoy or South Walls please report it immediately by phone or email.
In fact, if you live on any of the islands, and think you have seen a stoat, it is essential that you contact us as soon as you can by calling 01856 886163, by emailing north@snh.gov.uk or through the ‘Stoats in Orkney’ Facebook page.
Answering your concerns…
Remember, if you have any comments or concerns please contact north@snh.gov.uk or orkney@rspb.org.uk.
And, once again, don't forget to keep reporting any sightings of stoats, including those in winter coats, whether on the mainland or outer isles, as soon as possible, to SNH by calling 01856 886163, by emailing north@snh.gov.uk or through the ‘Stoats in Orkney’ Facebook page.
And remember, to keep up-to-date with the project, please follow our Facebook page