Threatened populations of Hen Harriers, Curlews and Orkney Voles are on the up since the launch of the Orkney Native Wildlife Project in 2020.
The Orkney Native Wildlife Project, a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council, is an ambitious world-first for conservation. It’s the largest eradication programme to take place on inhabited islands, aiming to protect rare and threatened species. We’re pleased to share the first signs of its success revealed by a new report.
Conservation scientists monitoring the wildlife on Orkney have reported increased evidence of Orkney Voles and increased successful nesting attempts of ground nesting birds, including Hen Harriers and rare wading birds. This positive news suggests that the ongoing work to remove a non-native predator from the islands is making a vital difference.
The Orkney Islands are a haven for internationally important populations of rare and precious wildlife. Puffins and Guillemots lay eggs on the rocky ledges, while Hen Harriers and wading birds raise their chicks on moorland and flower-rich grasslands. The Orkney Vole can only be found on these islands.
The islands are home to large percentages of threatened UK populations. Orkney has the highest density of breeding Curlews in Europe, one in five UK hen harriers, and 11% of UK seabirds. In the wider UK landscape, these species are suffering from severe declines because of habitat loss, lack of food sources and persecution.
But in 2010, the wildlife on Orkney was faced with a new threat when a Stoat was recorded on the islands for the first time.
Since then, this fast breeding, non-native species has taken hold across these precious habitats, predating the eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds and other wildlife. While Stoats might not be an unusual sight across the rest of the UK, they are not native to the archipelago and pose a serious threat to the wildlife not adapted to live alongside them.
In 2019, RSPB Scotland joined forces with a team of international experts, the Scottish Government and the local community. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project was formed, aiming to eradicate Stoats from the island – and the team have some rather unusual colleagues!
Meet Spud, Scout, Thorn, Red, Skye, Bodie, Fizz, Pongo and Charlie. These four-legged, furry conservationists are on a mission to sniff out all of the Stoats on the islands. Working closely with their handler, they can indicate to the team where Stoats might be present.
So far, over 6,500 Stoats have been removed!
The RSPB has been monitoring the difference the project has made to native wildlife. They have used 2019 as a baseline – the year prior to the project starting – and have compared trends on the island with and without Stoats.
The report reveals that while there are several factors that play into nest success rates for all species, one constant over the past five years has been the removal of invasive non-native Stoats.
This is a success story for conservation against the backdrop of a nature crisis that is pushing more of Scotland’s wildlife to the brink. 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’s report is a strong indication that our work is making a difference.”
Thanks to generous supporters like you, along with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and EU Life, the Orkney Native Wildlife Project are attempting to safeguard Orkney’s native species.
However, we are not done yet. The work is now at a critical stage and we are looking for additional financial support so we can finish the job. Through the continued support of the National Lottery and NatureScot we are over halfway to securing the funding we need and are calling on individuals to help us protect and defend the wildlife of Orkney.”
For more information about the Orkney Native Wildlife Project and how you can support the efforts to protect the species found on the islands, click the link below.
