Rathlin Island: Conservationists confident over ferret removal
Rathlin Island is only six miles wide and one mile long, with a population of about 150 people.It is internationally renowned as home to puffins and other seabirds including razorbills, kittiwakes, Manx shearwaters, guillemots and fulmars.But bird numbers had been in decline over recent years, sparking fears among conservationists. Both ferrets and rats prey on the eggs and young of the vulnerable bird species which use the island's cliffs for breeding.
Mr Rafferty told councillors ferrets were possibly introduced in the 1980s to control rabbit numbers, and since then had done "tremendous damage to ground-nesting birds"."In just a few days one adult ferret managed to kill 27 adult birds, just by gaining access to a puffin colony," he said.The team behind the LIFE Raft project have deployed traps and a detection dog in efforts to control ferret numbers.
Mr Rafferty said, in terms of tackling ferret numbers, it had gone well and "we are quite optimistic that things are looking good, although it's not confirmed that the ferret is eradicated yet".Efforts to tackle the brown rat population were started in September last year, he added, and that is "ongoing".The £4.5m LIFE Raft project is funded by EU LIFE, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation and DAERA.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Spider season: Extinct spiders are making comeback in the UK
However, don't despair; the huge growth in the number of Fen Raft Spiders is a conservation success story. The spider was on the verge of extinction in the UK in 2010, but has thankfully made a comeback thanks to the efforts of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Huge conservation news! 🕸️🕷️ We've helped the UK's LARGEST spider come back from the brink of extinction! While they may look big and scary, the fen raft spider is harmless and plays a VITAL role within healthy aquatic ecosystems. However, 15 years ago, they almost became… — Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) August 21, 2024 The Fen Raft Spider The Fen Raft Spider's diet includes other spiders, damselflies, dragonfly larvae and even fish and tadpoles. They are easiest to spot in grazing marsh ditches from June to September. 'The Fen Raft Spider is one of the UK's rarest invertebrates and we are proud of the role our reserves and teams have played in its recovery,' Tim Strudwick, the RSPB Mid Yare nature reserves site manager where many of the spiders are homed, told the MailOnline. 'These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves. The females are impressive in size, but also beautiful – they are truly special to see,' Mr Strudwick added. The spiders are not venomous but are semi-aquatic and can run across the water's surface to capture their prey. Recommended reading: BBC researcher confirms tarantulas inhabit these parts of UK UK's confirmed biggest spider might be lurking in buildings Every sighting of the venomous false widow spider in the UK Mr Strudwick added that the spiders can also be seen at another RSPB site in Norfolk but are 'fairly shy'. Numbers are up to 3,750 breeding females at 12 sites in Norfolk alone. He added: 'Walking along the meadow trail gives visitors at Strumpshaw Fen the best chance of sightings of the mature females and their glistening nursery webs, so now is the perfect time to make a trip to the reserve.' RSPB ecologist, Jane Sears, who was also involved in Fen Raft Spider conservation told the paper: 'The RSPB has played an important role in the reintroduction of these spiders and means we must continue to restore, manage and protect the wetland habitats where the Fen Raft Spider thrives to ensure the future of not just this species, but many others too.'
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
Peak District hen harrier chicks given protective satellite tags
Two hen harriers born in the Peak District have been fitted with satellite tags in a bid to protect them from National Trust said the tags would provide "vital information" about the birds' behaviour and show insights into roosting, breeding, foraging sites and help gather evidence in "the fight against criminal activity" against the bird of comes after a record numbers of the species, one of the rarest in the UK, have been killed or have gone missing in suspicious circumstances over the past five Thomas, head of investigations at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), described satellite tagging as a "game changer" for conservation. The tagged chicks are part of a brood of three from the same nest who have successfully are the offspring of the adult birds which featured on the BBC's Springwatch earlier this Best, general manager in the Peak District at the National Trust, said it had been "wonderful" to see successful nests on the land it cared for."We've been restoring peatland and improving wetlands and grasslands to support a diverse mix of species," said Mr Best."Seeing these birds thrive is a good indicator that our work is making a difference."Mr Best did warn that despite legal protections, hen harriers continued to face threats from illegal persecution."We're working closely with the police, statutory agencies, and conservation groups to tackle this issue," he said."Tagging is one way we can monitor the birds and gather evidence to support investigations." 'Better future' Each year in England, about 30 chicks are fitted with these tags, according to the trust, which added that there are only 30 to 40 breeding pairs of hen harriers in the tagged hen harrier - fitted with a satellite device in 2022 - has been tracked flying more than 550 miles (885km) between Cornwall and the Peak District, returning to the moorland where it fledged after stopping in Wales."Satellite tagging of hen harriers has been a game changer," Mr Thomas of the RSPB added. "It tells us what habitats the birds are using and informs us of the place and reason for any mortality. "For a persecuted species this is vital, to inform police investigations, to document associated land uses and to lobby for policy outcomes that aim to provide a better future."RSPB officers fitted the tags about a month ago, thanks to funding from the National Trust and the Peak District National Park Authority.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Gardeners urged to put one household food out for robins as soon as possible
The RSPCA has shared essential guidance on how to ensure that garden birds are well-fed, encouraging Brits to use some common kitchen staples as well as fruit and seeds Green-thumbed Brits are being urged to scatter pasta on their bird tables, in an effort to support the feathered animals during the crucial fledgling season. The concept of providing nourishment for birds can seem intimidating to many garden owners. Some believe it requires expensive, specialist mixes from garden centres or DIY shops, and is a pastime only for those with extra cash to lavish on local wildlife. However, the RSPCA assures us that anyone can contribute to bird feeding without splashing out. There's no need for specialist food, all you need are some common, budget-friendly kitchen staples. Alongside rice, potatoes and cheese, cooked pasta can be served up on bird tables. It's vital to remember that the pasta must be cooked, never raw, as uncooked pasta could pose a risk to birds, so ensure it's properly boiled and cooked beforehand. This is because raw pasta is difficult for birds to digest. In some instances, it can cause bloating, discomfort, or even internal damage if it expands after being ingested, as reported by Wales Online. Numerous bird species are facing threats due to habitat loss, dwindling food sources like the decline in insect populations, as well as climate change and pollution. This is why we are being called to lend a hand by supplying food for our feathered friends, which will also assist them in nourishing young fledglings in August. Young birds that have just departed their nests are known as fledglings. Because of their tender age, they are still learning how to hunt for food, and they need plenty of nourishment to develop correctly. The RSPCA recommends offering fruit, seeds, unsalted chopped peanuts and food scraps for garden birds. The guidance states: "Birds love to eat: fruit - apples, pears and soft fruits; Suitable seeds and grains - like nyjer, millet, oats, and sunflower seeds; Peanuts - must be unsalted, fresh and that they don't contain aflatoxin (a poison caused by fungus mould). "Young chicks might choke on whole peanuts, so always put them in feeders with a smaller mesh; Food scraps - cooked pasta, rice and boiled potatoes or cheese and uncooked and unsalted bacon rind." The guidance also stresses clearing away any remaining food each evening and maintaining spotless feeding areas constantly. This recommendation follows the RSPB's temporary removal of flat bird tables from their outlets while investigating potential disease spread dangers associated with exposed food left on flat surfaces. The charity now advocates regular sanitising of feeding stations and nesting boxes, alongside prompt clearing of any leftovers.
