As the stoat breeding season comes to an end, the project has made significant achievements by halting the spread of a stoat population in Orkney.
Our stoat catch rate usually peaks in August/September as family groups emerge from dens. This season was no different, with 123 stoats removed in September. We now expect this number to drop as we head into winter.
Although there was an overal drop in reported sightings in September this year compared to September 2023, we still achieved a higher catch of stoats. This is best displayed by our results from East-Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay. What's reassuring is that while less stoats are being sighted by the public, we are still catching a high number in the region. It's a positive sign that as the population shrinks, our evolving trap network (with new trap placements, trap types, and intensity) is working.
Thanks to the incredible effort from the community, our volunteers, and project team, we are still on-track to achieve total eradication by 2030.