Welcome to the forty-seventh stoat snippet!
These snippets are a short update on the Orkney Native Wildlife Project and the Orkney Mainland Predator Invasion Biosecurity Project, as well as addressing any concerns that folk have raised with Scottish Natural Heritage (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
Ange and Macca have been busy on Shapinsay. You can see the tracks they have walked (well up until Tuesday) on the map below. They’ve still got a bit to do, but so far they’ve found no confirmation of stoats.
They’ve had some good weather too, which has meant that they have got some good photos of them working.
And taking a rest.
They will be out on Rousay next week, starting with an event on Monday. Drop in any time between 12pm – 1.30pm to meet and greet. There will be working demonstrations at 12.15pm and 1pm.
WE STILL NEED YOU TO GET IN TOUCH!
We are also still working hard to identify landowners to get land access permissions organised, both for the searches and traps in the future.
We are eager for folk who own land on Wyre, Flotta and Hoy, who we haven’t spoken to yet, to get in touch as soon as possible by emailing ONWP.LandAccess@gmail.com. THANKS to everyone who has already been in touch.
The extended trapping trial traps are now all closed for maintenance and will be reopened in September for the autumn phase of the trial. Carmen and Rebecca are busy carrying out the trap maintenance and checks of the which takes quite a lot of kit.
Orkney Mainland Predator Invasion Biosecurity Project
We are still waiting for the latest data from our contractors, but will update you once we know more. We have now taken over the responsibility for these traps.
Incursion responses
Shapinsay: Heather is on Shapinsay today to do the latest trap checks. We also want to say a big thanks to all the landowners who have made Ange and Macca feel so welcome.
Hoy: Heather and Amy were in Hoy yesterday to check the traps and Amy has been following up on landowner permissions.
If you own land in South Walls and Hoy, even if it is just your garden, and you haven’t heard from us, please get in touch by email.
And a big thanks to everyone who has given their support so far.
Answering your concerns…
Remember, if you have any comments or concerns please contact north@snh.gov.uk or orkney@rspb.org.uk, or by calling RSPB Scotland on 01856 850176 or SNH on the number below.
Once again, don't forget to keep reporting any sightings of stoats, 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 to keep up-to-date with the project, please follow our Facebook page.