Plus the quiz of the day. It’s not all bad news in the world of nature conservation. Orkney’s wildlife, which includes several threatened bird species and the endemic vole, is showing signs of recovery, according to the RSPB.
The success is as a result of the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, which has spent the past four years attempting to protect nationally important bird and small mammal communities found on the islands. Most notably, this involves removing stoats, which prey on ground nesting birds and the voles. The stoat removal program is the first of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere, and the largest anywhere in the world.
After four years, there are ‘significant increases in successful nesting attempts of ground nesting birds such as the hen harrier and rare waders’. More than 6,000 stoats have been removed. ‘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,’ says Anne McCall, RSPB Scotland director. ‘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.
’ However, the work is not finished yet. Some stoats still remain, and the project hopes to see the invasive species r.
