Download Successful start to conservation project

Successful start to conservation project
A new project launched this year with the aim of conserving and protecting native wild bird numbers
has been judged a success.
The £95,000 three-year pilot mink control project in the West Lochaber area is being managed by
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on behalf of the Sunart Oakwoods Initiative (SOI).
The scheme is targeting areas in which non-native mink have a devastating effect on native water
bird populations.
The evidence for this dwindling bird population comes after long-term monitoring and trapping
carried out by Dr JC Craik of the Scottish Association for Marine Science since 1980.
Birds which were formerly familiar breeders in Loch Sunart and the surrounding area have now
almost completely disappeared.
Records show that common tern nests in the area previously totalled 330 but by 1998 that number
had slumped to just two.
The conservation project is focusing on protecting seabirds such as terns, gulls, black guillemot and
the rare black throated diver.
In the case of black guillemot, which nests in niches of walls and quays, the female are easily prey for
mink which then eats the egg she incubated. This predation leaves single males without a mate and
results in population decline.
The birds are a major attraction for visitors and residents. The variety of Scottish seabirds is an
important contribution to the country's biodiversity.
West Lochaber is not a contained island and therefore the reduction of mink is a slower process as it
is easier for animals to enter the area overland.
Gill Christie, SOI Tourism and Environment Officer said: "This year the scheme has covered 75km of
shoreline and eleven islands.
"We are confident that as a result of our control methods, two large sea bird colonies were successful
at a higher level than in the past and 20 mink were removed from these areas.
"Future plans include the protection of nine islands which successfully fledged young this season and
a further 12-plus islands which witnessed breeding attempts or held breeding birds in recent times.
"There are many additional colonies of diverse species in this area which require protection from
mink.
"By employing trappers, engaging volunteers and communicating our findings the scheme will
develop a mink control plan for the area which it is hoped will be supported beyond the current
project which ends in April 2008."
The mink control project is supported by local landowners and land managers and is creating local
employment in the form of newly-trained trappers as well as supporting those who have trapped for
many years.
American mink, which originally escaped from fur farms, are relentless in their pursuit for food. They
are capable of swimming considerable distances and sizeable seabird breeding colonies become a
favoured foraging ground
For further information:Fergus Macneill, SNH Inverness: 01463 725021
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