Stoats Gone, Orkney Wildlife Roars Back!

Invasive stoats are being successfully removed from Orkney, leading to a remarkable recovery for native wildlife. A recent report from the Orkney Native Wildlife Project indicates that Orkney vole activity in spring 2025 reached its highest level since the project's inception in 2019. This resurgence in voles, unique to the islands, directly benefits birds of prey that rely on them for sustenance.

This conservation success is clearly demonstrated by the increased breeding activity of rare hen harriers and short-eared owls. These raptors have shown high numbers of breeding attempts compared to six years ago. The project, a partnership involving RSPB Scotland, NatureScot, and Orkney Islands Council, has been instrumental in this turnaround. Since 2019, over 8,500 stoats have been humanely removed using lethal traps and Europe's first stoat detection dogs.

The positive impact extends to the islands' ecosystem, with conservationists celebrating the resurgence of native species. The Orkney vole, critically threatened by stoats, is now showing historically high rates of activity. This initiative underscores the effectiveness of targeted action against invasive predators to protect unique island wildlife, offering a hopeful model for future conservation efforts.

Monitoring efforts confirmed the positive trends. Signs of Orkney voles were found in a third of surveyed areas, with high autumn activity also noted. Hen harriers, one of the UK's rarest birds of prey, achieved their best breeding year since 2012, with volunteers identifying 74 breeding locations. Short-eared owls also saw a continued increase in breeding sites, confirmed at 55 locations, with definite breeding at 16 sites.