A special place... The Isles of Scilly are one of only two places in England where Manx Shearwaters breed
Under threat...The Isles of Scilly hold 3,000 fewer pairs of breeding seabirds than 25 years ago
Aims and Objectives
This five year project ended in October 2017. The project is now in the ‘legacy phase’ keeping the islands rat-free to protect seabirds.
The project’s aims were to maintain and enhance the conservation value of the islands through a programme of targeted conservation action and community participation and learning.
The project focused actions on St Agnes and Gugh.
The Project had three primary and inter-linked aims which were successfully achieved:
- Reverse recent declines in seabird populations on the Isles of Scilly through removal of the non-native brown rat from the islands of St Agnes and Gugh, and maintaining the uninhabited seabird islands 'rat-free'.
- Enable people living on and visiting the Isles of Scilly to learn about, take pride in, and play an active role in celebrating and conserving their seabird and wider natural heritage.
- Train and support island communities to embrace the benefits of seabird recovery, including the removal of rats, and continue to protect their heritage once the project has ended.
The first Manx shearwater recorded to survive in living memory, Gugh September 2014
