The RSPB was concerned it would cause devastation to roseate tern colony on Coquet Island
5th April 2017
By Mike Kelly
An elusive rat which stalked the North East island sanctuary of an endangered species of bird has been caught and killed just days before the breeding season begins there.
For three months staff from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds which manages Coquet Island have been searching with increasing anxiety for the rodent which despite their best efforts had evaded capture.
Sited half a mile off the Northumberland coast near Amble, it is the home of Britain’s last colony of roseate terns as well as being a nesting place for puffins.
If it hadn’t been caught it is feared the rat which feeds off eggs could have devastated the colony.
It is the first time a rodent had been reported to be seen on the island.
After being detected in January, the island’s RSPB warden there, Paul Morrison, installed traps with a number of different baits including pork pies, fish, pate and even Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate, but all to no avail.
Read on
5th April 2017
By Mike Kelly
An elusive rat which stalked the North East island sanctuary of an endangered species of bird has been caught and killed just days before the breeding season begins there.
For three months staff from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds which manages Coquet Island have been searching with increasing anxiety for the rodent which despite their best efforts had evaded capture.
Sited half a mile off the Northumberland coast near Amble, it is the home of Britain’s last colony of roseate terns as well as being a nesting place for puffins.
If it hadn’t been caught it is feared the rat which feeds off eggs could have devastated the colony.
It is the first time a rodent had been reported to be seen on the island.
After being detected in January, the island’s RSPB warden there, Paul Morrison, installed traps with a number of different baits including pork pies, fish, pate and even Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate, but all to no avail.
Read on
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