Latest news with #OrkneyNativeWildlifeProject
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Threatened island species makes comeback after massive numbers of predators are removed: 'The signs are really promising'
After several years of efforts at controlling an invasive predator species, a rare shorebird called the curlew is making a comeback in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland, the BBC reported. The issue these birds faced was stoats — an animal similar to a large weasel, which, in addition to hunting rabbits and smaller rodents, also eats birds and their eggs. It's not entirely clear how stoats made their way to the islands; they may have been stowaways on cargo ships carrying hay or other imports, or they may have been introduced intentionally to kill rabbits. Regardless of the reasons, the ground-nesting curlews were easy prey for the invasive stoats, and in 2019, it appeared that the curlew population had decreased by half in a mere decade, with only 12 breeding pairs of the birds per square mile across the territory. That was when the Orkney Native Wildlife Project leapt into action, beginning a project to humanely cull over 7,000 stoats in the six years since. It is believed to be the biggest predator cull conducted on an inhabited island, and it achieved results. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says the curlew population is up 21% in the archipelago (unlike the rest of Scotland and the UK where they're still declining), and there are now 14.5 breeding pairs per square mile. "It is fantastic to see that the hard work of the project team and many volunteers is starting to restore a positive future for vulnerable species in Orkney," Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, told the BBC. "This is the first major population survey for waders since work started to remove stoats from Orkney and the signs are really promising, as we see declines for curlew reversed." The recovery of the curlew in Scotland is not to be taken for granted. The related slender-billed curlew was officially declared extinct in 2024 after many years without sightings. These birds exist in a precarious balance with their environments and the human population, and all our choices affect their chance of survival. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stoat cull credited with rise in Orkney curlew numbers
The number of curlew wading birds in Orkney is on the rise again after a drive to reduce the number of predatory stoats. The carnivorous mammals are classed as an invasive species in the islands, and a culling programme for stoats began in 2019. At the time, a survey suggested the curlew population had declined by 50% in a decade. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said latest data indicated a 21% rise in the species in Orkney, in contrast to mainland Scotland and other parts of the UK. More stories from North East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Listen to news from North East Scotland on BBC Sounds When the Orkney Native Wildlife Project began removing stoats in 2019 it was estimated there were 12 breeding pairs of curlew per square kilometre. This is now believed to have risen to an average of 14.5 breeding pairs, after more than 7,000 stoats were removed in what is believed to be the biggest predator eradication programme to be conducted on an inhabited island. Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "It is fantastic to see that the hard work of the project team and many volunteers is starting to restore a positive future for vulnerable species in Orkney. "This is the first major population survey for waders since work started to remove stoats from Orkney and the signs are really promising, as we see declines for curlew reversed. Stoats were first spotted in Orkney in 2010, although it remains a mystery how they got to the islands. One theory is that they arrived with a cargo from the mainland such as hay, but they may have been released intentionally to control rabbit populations. Aside from curlew, they pose a threat to a number of native species including the Orkney vole, short-eared owl and hen harrier. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project says it uses lethal traps to humanely kill the stoats. The eradication project employs more than 40 people and also uses specially-trained dogs to locate the animals. The RSPB said curlew numbers had continued to decline on mainland Scotland and elsewhere. Surveys suggest populations have decreased by 13% between 2012 and 2022, and there has been a wider UK-wide decline of around 50% since 1995. Orkney project granted extra £4m to remove stoats
BBC News
21-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stoat cull credited with rise in Orkney curlew numbers
The number of curlew wading birds in Orkney is on the rise again after a drive to reduce the number of predatory stoats. The carnivorous mammals are classed as an invasive species in the islands, and a culling programme for stoats began in 2019. At the time, a survey suggested the curlew population had declined by 50% in a decade. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said latest data indicated a 21% rise in the species in Orkney, in contrast to mainland Scotland and other parts of the UK. When the Orkney Native Wildlife Project began removing stoats in 2019 it was estimated there were 12 breeding pairs of curlew per square kilometre. This is now believed to have risen to an average of 14.5 breeding pairs, after more than 7,000 stoats were removed in what is believed to be the biggest predator eradication programme to be conducted on an inhabited island. Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "It is fantastic to see that the hard work of the project team and many volunteers is starting to restore a positive future for vulnerable species in Orkney."This is the first major population survey for waders since work started to remove stoats from Orkney and the signs are really promising, as we see declines for curlew reversed. Stoats were first spotted in Orkney in 2010, although it remains a mystery how they got to the islands. One theory is that they arrived with a cargo from the mainland such as hay, but they may have been released intentionally to control rabbit populations. Aside from curlew, they pose a threat to a number of native species including the Orkney vole, short-eared owl and hen harrier. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project says it uses lethal traps to humanely kill the stoats. The eradication project employs more than 40 people and also uses specially-trained dogs to locate the RSPB said curlew numbers had continued to decline on mainland Scotland and elsewhere. Surveys suggest populations have decreased by 13% between 2012 and 2022, and there has been a wider UK-wide decline of around 50% since 1995.
The National
21-04-2025
- General
- The National
Bird numbers rising again on Orkney Islands, RSPB says
In a report, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said on Monday that the species' population has grown, after an initiative to reduce the number of stoats living on the islands came into force. Stoats are small, carnivorous mammals that were first recorded in Orkney in 2010. READ MORE: Hopes report on currency in independent Scotland will give 'definitive answer' A 2017-2019 survey of wading birds in Orkney revealed that the number of curlews in the isles had declined by more than 50% when compared with the previous survey recorded from 2006-2010. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project began removing stoats in 2019 and the latest survey, which covered 100 sites and recorded pairs of wading birds per square kilometre, showed a modest recovery since the low in 2019 from 12 to 14.5 pairs per square kilometre. This marks a 21% increase – a stark contrast to mainland Scotland's population, where curlew populations have decreased by 13% between 2012 and 2022, and a wider UK-wide decline of around 50% since 1995. The RSPB says the latest figures from Orkney mark a significant success for conservationists, despite the overall drop in curlew population. The wildlife charity says more than 7000 stoats have been removed from the Orkney Islands in recent years, which has been integral to restoring the number of native curlews. It also said chick survival rates have increased since 2019. READ MORE: Israel claims 'professional failures' behind attack where 15 medics killed in Gaza The RSPB says ongoing high nest success would help make these species more resilient to all factors affecting them, such as poor chick survival because of bad weather as was seen in 2024. They are a promising sign of future successes and recovery as each year's chicks reach maturity and begin raising their own young in future years. Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'It is fantastic to see that the hard work of the project team and many volunteers is starting to restore a positive future for vulnerable species in Orkney. 'This is the first major population survey for waders since work started to remove stoats from Orkney and the signs are really promising, as we see declines for curlew reversed. 'Archipelagos like Orkney are always a delicate balance, with native predators, disease, bad weather and many other factors that influence the survival of our wildlife, but these are largely things that our wildlife has adapted to. 'Removing the invasive stoats from the islands is essential to giving Orkney's wildlife the best chance to build the resilience it needs to meet these threats. 'There is still work to do to see numbers return to before stoats were first recorded, but results like this show the difference we are making.' For more information about the project, visit:
The Independent
20-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Orkney's curlew population back on the rise as charity removes invasive species
The Orcadian curlew population is on the rise following an effort to reduce the numbers of an invasive predator, experts have said. In a report, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said on Monday that the species population has grown, after an initiative to reduce the number of stoats living on the islands came into force. Stoats are small, carnivorous mammals that were first recorded in Orkney in 2010. A 2017-2019 survey of wading birds in Orkney revealed that the number of curlews in the isles had declined by more than 50% when compared with the previous survey recorded from 2006-2010. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project began removing stoats in 2019 and the latest survey, which covered 100 sites and recorded pairs of wading birds per square kilometre, showed a modest recovery since the low in 2019 from 12 to 14.5 pairs per square kilometre. This marks a 21% increase – a stark contrast to mainland Scotland's population, where curlew populations have decreased by 13% between 2012 and 2022, and a wider UK-wide decline of around 50% since 1995. The RSPB says the latest figures from Orkney mark a significant success for conservationists, despite the overall drop in curlew population. The wildlife charity says more than 7,000 stoats have been removed from the Orkney isles in recent years, which has been integral to restoring the number of native curlews. It also said chick survival rates have increased since 2019. The RSPB says ongoing high nest success would help make these species more resilient to all factors affecting them, such as poor chick survival because of bad weather as was seen in 2024. They are a promising sign of future successes and recovery as each year's chicks reach maturity and begin raising their own young in future years. Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'It is fantastic to see that the hard work of the project team and many volunteers is starting to restore a positive future for vulnerable species in Orkney. 'This is the first major population survey for waders since work started to remove stoats from Orkney and the signs are really promising, as we see declines for curlew reversed. 'Archipelagos like Orkney are always a delicate balance, with native predators, disease, bad weather and many other factors that influence the survival of our wildlife, but these are largely things that our wildlife has adapted to. 'Removing the invasive stoats from the islands is essential to giving Orkney's wildlife the best chance to build the resilience it needs to meet these threats. 'There is still work to do to see numbers return to before stoats were first recorded, but results like this show the difference we are making.'
