Latest news with #IOSWT
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wildlife experts report weasel spotted on St Mary's
Wildlife experts have asked residents of the Isles of Scilly to look for signs of a weasel after one was reportedly seen on St Mary' Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said it was "taking this report seriously" because of "the delicate balance of nature on Scilly".A detection dog was deployed to some of the islands in February to check for signs of rats and mice as they can pose a threat to the populations of storm IOSWT said the weasel had reportedly been seen at the Garrison on Friday and they asked islanders to "keep a close look out" and share any sightings with the team. 'Need to be vigilant' The charity said: "Many species such as our breeding seabirds can only thrive in the absence of mammalian predators."Biosecurity is a high priority for the Isles of Scilly."This report is a sharp reminder that we need to be vigilant that we don't bring non-native species or plant or animal diseases to Scilly."The charity said it would set trail cameras in the area in an attempt to get photographic confirmation of the advised islanders: "If you do spot what you think could be a weasel, see if you can see its relatively short and very furry tail. If at all possible, please get a photo."
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kuki's 'great job' finds no rodent threat on isles
Fears for the safety of endangered wildlife breeding on some of the Isles of Scilly have been allayed by a detection dog's work. Kuki, an Australian Cattle Dog, was deployed with her handlers to St Agnes, Gugh and Annet to search for signs of rodents on 10 and 11 February. In autumn the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said probable signs of a mouse had been found on St Agnes which could pose a threat to its population of storm petrels. After Kuki's visit the chief of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) Julian Branscombe said: "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Mice and rats were previously eradicated from the islands because they would eat birds' eggs. Laura Bambini, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Tessa Coledale, from Biosecurity for England, lead Kuki's mission. Ms Coledale said: "Kuki is fully focussed on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really." However, Kuki's work was of serious consequence for the endangered bird colonies breeding on the islands, she added. She said: "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds." Mr Branscombe said: "Annet is an important wildlife sanctuary, with significant populations of endangered species breeding here every year. "That includes storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, puffins, gulls and grey seals." He said the wildlife was sensitive to disturbance so team members only visited the 54 acre (22 hectare) island "when absolutely necessary" to check the health of its ecosystem. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Dog tasked with search for rats on Isles of Scilly No more signs of mouse in island - wildlife trust Islanders worried as evidence of a mouse is found Isles of Scilly declared 'rat free' Biosecurity for Life Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust RSPB
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kuki's 'great job' finds no rodent threat on isles
Fears for the safety of endangered wildlife breeding on some of the Isles of Scilly have been allayed by a detection dog's work. Kuki, an Australian Cattle Dog, was deployed with her handlers to St Agnes, Gugh and Annet to search for signs of rodents on 10 and 11 February. In autumn the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said probable signs of a mouse had been found on St Agnes which could pose a threat to its population of storm petrels. After Kuki's visit the chief of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) Julian Branscombe said: "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Mice and rats were previously eradicated from the islands because they would eat birds' eggs. Laura Bambini, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Tessa Coledale, from Biosecurity for England, lead Kuki's mission. Ms Coledale said: "Kuki is fully focussed on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really." However, Kuki's work was of serious consequence for the endangered bird colonies breeding on the islands, she added. She said: "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds." Mr Branscombe said: "Annet is an important wildlife sanctuary, with significant populations of endangered species breeding here every year. "That includes storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, puffins, gulls and grey seals." He said the wildlife was sensitive to disturbance so team members only visited the 54 acre (22 hectare) island "when absolutely necessary" to check the health of its ecosystem. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Dog tasked with search for rats on Isles of Scilly No more signs of mouse in island - wildlife trust Islanders worried as evidence of a mouse is found Isles of Scilly declared 'rat free' Biosecurity for Life Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust RSPB
BBC News
24-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Detection dog finds no rodent threat on Isles of Scilly
Fears for the safety of endangered wildlife breeding on some of the Isles of Scilly have been allayed by a detection dog's an Australian Cattle Dog, was deployed with her handlers to St Agnes, Gugh and Annet to search for signs of rodents on 10 and 11 autumn the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said probable signs of a mouse had been found on St Agnes which could pose a threat to its population of storm Kuki's visit the chief of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) Julian Branscombe said: "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Mice and rats were previously eradicated from the islands because they would eat birds' Bambini, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Tessa Coledale, from Biosecurity for England, lead Kuki's Coledale said: "Kuki is fully focussed on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really."However, Kuki's work was of serious consequence for the endangered bird colonies breeding on the islands, she said: "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds."Mr Branscombe said: "Annet is an important wildlife sanctuary, with significant populations of endangered species breeding here every year. "That includes storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, puffins, gulls and grey seals."He said the wildlife was sensitive to disturbance so team members only visited the 54 acre (22 hectare) island "when absolutely necessary" to check the health of its ecosystem.
