Rat caught but monitoring continues on Mousa
MONITORING continues for rats on the island of Mousa despite one being captured in May.
It comes after a rat was spotted on the uninhabited island in April, leading to concern over the potential impact on its bird population.
A spokesperson for the RSPB confirmed that a rat was successfully captured on 23 May after repeated sightings on camera.
“While this is encouraging, monitoring continues as further rats may still be present, and the risk of breeding remains,” they said. “Keeping Mousa predator-free is vital.”
The island hosts the UK’s largest breeding population of storm petrels and is said to be important for breeding birds given its lack of predators.
RSPB Scotland staff and volunteers implemented an extensive biosecurity response when the rat was first spotted on video in April, including more than 200 bait stations, camera traps and ongoing surveillance.
Kevin Kelly, RSPB Scotland’s senior site manager, said at the time that the news of a confirmed arrival of a rat was “heartbreaking”.
The RSPB said visitors to Mousa can help by checking bags before travelling to the island, taking all food waste away, and sticking to marked paths to minimise disturbance and protect the island’s wildlife.
The Mousa Boat company operates regular sailings to Mousa, including the popular late evening trip to see storm petrels at the island’s historic broch.
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