Orkney's wildlife rebounds as invasive stoats vanish from the islands

The Orkney Native Wildlife Project has made significant progress in protecting vulnerable species since its launch in 2019. By removing invasive stoats, the initiative has boosted populations of rare birds and the unique Orkney vole. Recent surveys show encouraging results across the islands. Over 8,500 stoats have been trapped and removed from Orkney since 2019. The project relies on detection dogs and tight biosecurity to track and eliminate the predators. These efforts aim to safeguard species like the Orkney vole, found nowhere else in the world.

Stoat removal has led to a sharp recovery in bird populations. Hen harriers, once struggling, had their best breeding season since 2012 in 2025. Nearly 60 chicks fledged successfully—far more than the single chick recorded in the years before the programme began. Short-eared owls have also thrived, with breeding sites rising steadily since 2019. In 2025, they were confirmed at 55 locations on islands where stoats were previously active.

Voles, the species most at risk from stoats, have also rebounded. Surveys in 2025 found vole activity in a third of the 1,082 small squares checked across 22 sites. This marked the highest level of vole presence since monitoring began in 2019. The project's success highlights the impact of invasive species control on fragile ecosystems. With stoat numbers drastically reduced, Orkney's native wildlife—from voles to birds of prey—now faces a more secure future. The work continues as part of broader conservation efforts across the islands.