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Kirsty Nutt

Welcome to the twelfth 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. 

Orkney Native Wildlife Project

We are now in to the third week of the community consultation. We want to continue to thank everyone who has participated and given such good suggestions for activities. Please continue to encourage others to take part either online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ONWP  or by picking up a paper version from places around Orkney.

Below is a list of the confirmed public events in December and the start of January. These events are designed to give you an opportunity to come and talk to us in person and find out more about the project and how you can get involved.

Upcoming events:

  • Sunday 10 December, 1-4 pm, Hen harrier roost and consultation drop-in, the hide at RSPB Scotland Cottascarth.
  • Tuesday 12 December, 1-6 pm, consultation drop-in event with kids activities, Old School, Quoyloo.
  • Tuesday 12 December, 7.30-8.30 pm, Talk and Q&A session, Old School, Quoyloo.
  • Friday 15 December, 1-6 pm, consultation drop-in event with kids activities, Harray Hall.
  • Friday 15 December, 7.30-8.30 pm, Talk and Q&A session, Harray Hall.
  • Friday 5 January, 1-6 pm, consultation drop-in event with kids activities, St. Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.

Contact: For more information about these events, phone 01856 875302 or 01856 850176 or email north@snh.gov.uk or orkney@rspb.org.uk.

Dates for further events in January and February will be announced shortly and anyone interested should keep an eye on the Orkney Native Wildlife Project Facebook page for updates which we hope will be live from tomorrow.

 

Orkney Mainland Predator Invasion Biosecurity Project

As you know from last week’s snippet, traps are still out in five areas around the Orkney Mainland. The trap checks are ongoing as we write this update, so more news next week.

 

Potential incursion responses

Rousay: We would ask folk who live or visit Rousay to remember to get in touch if there is even the slightest suspicion that they have seen a stoat.

Hoy: We have completed the next round of checks on Hoy. Unfortunately, we still haven’t caught a stoat, just a few rats. The data from the trail cameras will be reviewed this week.

We would like to thank everyone who visited the project team stall at the RSPB Scotland Hoy nature reserve Open Day on Saturday. It was great to speak to you. If anyone missed us, there will be another opportunity to meet some of the Orkney Native Wildlife Project team at a public event on Hoy on 12th January.

 

Answering your concerns…

Remember, if you have any comments or concerns please contact north@snh.gov.uk or orkney@rspb.org.uk.

And don't forget to keep reporting any sightings of stoats, 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.