{"id":41492,"date":"2024-11-08T15:42:42","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T14:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/70ecf1e8-c0a5-4ca6-97a8-0616439054bb"},"modified":"2024-11-08T16:26:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T15:26:39","slug":"scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists just eradicated thousands of invasive predators from a group of remote UK islands. Here’s why"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 6,000 non-native stoats have been removed from Orkney \u2013 an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n <\/p>

Published: Friday, 08 November 2024 at 14:42 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Orkney\u2019s wildlife, including rare birds and the unique Orkney vole, is showing promising signs of recovery as the Orkney Native Wildlife Project nears its final phase, according to a new RSPB report. <\/strong><\/p>

Launched in 2019, this ambitious effort to remove invasive stoats has led to notable population increases and successful nesting rates among threatened species.<\/p>

The first stoat was recorded on the islands in 2010 \u2013 here, one is seen with an Orkney vole\/RSPB Images <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

A quick guide to stoats and other mustelids<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Backed by RSPB and the Scottish Government, the Orkney Native Wildlife Project<\/a> has transformed Orkney\u2019s ecosystems in just four years. By targeting stoats, an invasive predator first recorded on the islands in 2010, the project has reduced threats to Orkney\u2019s delicate wildlife balance.<\/p>
Since 2019, nesting success for key species has surged. Curlews and oystercatchers are faring better, and the hen harrier<\/a>, an iconic bird of prey<\/a>, has seen its nest success rate more than double \u2013 from 36% in 2019 to 82% in 2023.<\/p>
$\"Hen$
Since the project began, vulnerable ground-nesting birds such as the hen harrier are experiencing more successful nesting attempts\/RSPB Images <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
The Orkney vole, a species found nowhere else, is also making a comeback. Since 2019, signs of vole activity \u2013 such as droppings and food stores \u2013 have doubled, indicating a thriving population.<\/p>
With more than 6,000 stoats removed, Orkney\u2019s landscape is seeing a renewed balance as native wildlife gains a foothold once again.<\/p>
$\"Short-eared$
A short-eared owl patrols its hunting grounds\/RSPB Images <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
\u201cThis is a success story for conservation against the backdrop of a nature crisis that is pushing more of Scotland\u2019s wildlife to the brink,” says Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland.<\/p>
“Working in partnership on the biggest project of its kind ever attempted we are restoring the natural balance to Orkney. The accidental introduction of stoats to the islands has had a devastating effect on our wildlife, especially smaller mammals and ground nesting birds. Today\u2019s report is a strong indication that our work is making a difference.”\u00a0<\/p>
As the project heads into its final phase, the outlook is bright for Orkney\u2019s extraordinary birdlife and unique fauna, showing what dedicated conservation can achieve for endangered island ecosystems.<\/p>
$\"ONWP$
The Orkney Native Wildlife Project team moving trapping equipment\/RSPB Images <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
**More wildlife stories<\/strong><\/p>**
This odd-looking bird from the Mediterranean just bred in Britain for the first time ever<\/a><\/li>
Huge pod of dolphins stuns English fisherman<\/a><\/li>
Why are scientists breeding leeches in London?<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
More than 6,000 non-native stoats have been removed from Orkney \u2013 an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":41493,"template":"","categories":[1,27],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"3"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/11\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why.jpg",2121,1414,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/11\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/11\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/11\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/11\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/11\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/11\/scientists-just-eradicated-thousands-of-invasive-predators-from-a-group-of-remote-uk-islands-heres-why-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"More than 6,000 non-native stoats have been removed from Orkney \u2013 an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/41492"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}