Seabird Task Force Volunteers Arrive

Four of the ‘seabird task force volunteers’ arrived on the islands today ahead of the start of the delivery phase. They were all excited to part of the project and will be on St Agnes and Gugh baiting and monitoring rats for the next 6 months. After their induction to the project and the team, they were straight out to collect windfall apples (removing this food source away from the rats) and on to meet the community as part of an evening community talk ahead of the baiting starting next week. Project Manager, Jaclyn Pearson welcomed Sarah Mason, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust Manager who explained how this project will safeguard the seabirds for many years to come -  the Trust has kept the uninhabited islands ‘rat-free’ for many years and it is clear that the removal of rats does increase the number of breeding seabirds. Biz Bell explained how the community has made the WMIL team feel very welcome, and their kind assistance will make this project a success. Safety protocols around the bait stations were reiterated and the WMIL team will be on call 24 hours a day.