BY MARK PIERCE

When we think of invasive species in the UK, our minds often go to non-native troublemakers like Japanese Knotweed or American Mink. However, there’s a lesser-known issue lurking in certain areas: invasive native predators.

Take the stoat, for example, a familiar face in the UK but not typically found in some regions. Let’s delve into the peculiar case of the stoats invading the Orkney Islands in Northern Scotland, where their arrival has posed a serious threat to the native wildlife and triggered a slow-moving battle against their presence.

The Orkney Islands present a unique ecological setting. With an abundance of wetlands, moorlands, and farmland, they have become a haven for various avian species, particularly ground-nesting birds. The islands also serve as a vital stopover for migratory birds, attracting rare and threatened species due to their diverse habitats. The lack of predators such as foxes and the presence of only one mustelid species, the otter, have allowed the local wildlife to thrive.

The year 2010 marked a turning point when stoats arrived on the Orkney Islands, likely transported from the Scottish mainland hidden within straw bales or farm equipment. Despite an abundance of rabbits, the stoats posed a significant threat to the islands’ bird population and the unique Orkney vole, a subspecies found nowhere else. However, it took until 2014 for Scottish Natural Heritage (now ‘NatureScot’) to acknowledge the problem and commission a report from Aberdeen University.

Six long years passed before any substantial action was taken. In 2016, a pilot trapping programme was initiated by SNH, but it proved inadequate in scale, and stoats continued to spread across the islands. Recognising the urgency, SNH partnered with RSPB Scotland, joining forces after previous collaborations on projects such as hedgehog culling and rat eradication. Together, they launched the ‘Orkney Native Wildlife Project’ (ONWP), securing funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the EU’s ‘Life Fund’ to tackle the stoat invasion.

RSPB Scotland, a dominant presence in Orkney with extensive landholdings, invited the Orkney Islands Council to join the partnership in 2018 to facilitate land access and maintain relations with local landowners. However, the RSPB’s strained relationship with the farming community raised eyebrows, given the cultural differences and suspicions surrounding outsiders acquiring land and asserting environmental supremacy.  

Efforts to trap and eradicate stoats gained momentum in 2017. ONWP employed pest control contractors for the ‘Orkney Mainland Predator Invasion Biosecurity Project,’ aiming to prevent stoats from spreading to the Outer Isles. Meanwhile, trapping trials on the mainland captured 42 stoats, demonstrating the effectiveness of this method. However, the delayed response and bureaucratic approach to securing funding drew criticism. ONWP received substantial financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the EU’s ‘Life Fund,’ raising questions about the project’s cost efficiency.

In a bizarre turn of events, Police Scotland was informed in 2022 that ONWP’s traps were potentially illegal, as they could inadvertently trap non-target species. This ironic situation raised accusations against RSPB Scotland, known for accusing gamekeepers of similar wildlife crimes. Modifications to traps were promptly made to comply with regulations.

Adding to their troubles, ONWP faced resistance from Orkney farmers, who denied them access to their land. This move was partly motivated by dissatisfaction with SNH’s management of resident greylag geese culls. The farmers’ defiance highlighted the lack of representation for Scottish land managers within government partnerships, sparking speculation about more effective alternatives.

The stoat invasion in Orkney has exposed the challenges and controversies surrounding the management of invasive native predators. While the battle against the stoats has been marred by delays, funding controversies, and legal oversights, the Orkney Native Wildlife Project continues its efforts to protect the islands’ unique biodiversity.

This ongoing struggle serves as a reminder that collaboration, effective communication, and a balanced approach are essential when addressing complex ecological issues.

Mark Pierce is a Scottish Gamekeeper.