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Shiant Isles Recovery Project After LIFE Conservation Plan 2019

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Shiant Isles Recovery Project After LIFE Conservation Plan 2019 Shiant Isles Recovery Project After LIFE Conservation Plan 2019 - 2024 Photo by Jack Ibbotson Contents Section Page Introduction 1 Purpose of the Document 3 Delivery Partners of the After-LIFE Conservation Plan 3 After-LIFE Conservation Plan Objectives 4 1. Biosecurity - prevention measures 5 2. Biosecurity - surveillance 6 3. Biosecurity - incursion response 7 4. Monitoring of key species 9 5. Disseminating LIFE+ project results 11 Costs of actions and Partner Responsibilities 12 References 13 Appendices 13 Appendix 1 - Protocol for Monitoring of Permanent Biosecurity Stations at the Shiant 14 Isles Appendix 2 - Storm Petrel Playback Survey of the Shiants and Fladagh Chuain, 2015 23 Appendix 3 - Shiant Isles Biosecurity Plan, 2019 revision 39 Introduction The Shiant Isles host an internationally important breeding seabird assembly comprising of over 60,000 pairs of puffins, around 9,000 guillemots, 8,000 razorbills, 1500 fulmar, 1000 kittiwakes, 500 shags and small numbers of a further six breeding seabird species. The importance of the islands seabird population is recognised both nationally and internationally through the designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) for its populations of breeding seabirds and wintering barnacle geese. However, a black rat population had become established on the islands following accidental introduction, with the most likely transport route through shipwrecks or stock movements several hundred years ago. Recent research showed that rats were predating on seabird chicks and eggs. In addition, European storm petrels and Manx shearwaters were absent as breeding species despite the presence of abundant breeding habitat. Following a detailed assessment of UK islands with invasive non-native species, the Shiant Isles were identified as a priority site for rat eradication because of the size and importance of the existing seabird colony that would benefit and the abundance of suitable Manx shearwater and storm petrel breeding habitat. A feasibility study for rat removal was undertaken in 2012, a project was developed and funding was secured in 2014. Between October 2014 and December. 2018 a four-year LIFE+ project was successfully completed, with the following purpose and objectives. LIFE+ Project Purpose The primary purpose of the project was to protect and restore the Shiant Isles SPA off western Scotland through the removal of invasive black rats Rattus rattus. An additional objective was to improve the provision of safeguards against invasive mammal incursions in important seabird island SPAs right around the UK. LIFE+ Project Objectives The main objectives of the project were as follows. 1. To remove invasive rats from the Shiant Isles SPA. This will eliminate a significant pressure on the existing seabird assemblage, and will also build the resilience of the assemblage to the impacts of oceanographic change and increasing human activity at sea. The problems facing the seabirds on the Shiants are illustrated by the fact that, when the condition of this SPA was last assessed in 2008, both seabirds covered by the assessment (namely razorbill Alca torda and common guillemot Uria aalge) were classified as ‘unfavourable declining’. 2. To actively promote the colonisation of the Shiants by European storm-petrel and Manx shearwater, for example using call playback. 3. To protect the UK’s most important seabird island SPAs by improving biosecurity. At present, biosecurity is severely lacking on many key islands, which together support a significant proportion of the UK’s internationally important seabird populations. The project will establish a minimum standard for biosecurity, produce a guideline document for island managers, and deliver training exercises across the country. 4. To build expertise within the UK (and hence within the EU) in island restoration, reducing reliance on expensive external contractors. Table 1. Time line from project development to formal LIFE+ project delivery (2012 - 2018) 2012 Feasibility study undertaken by Wildlife Management International Ltd (WMIL) which concluded that black rat eradication from the Shiants was feasible. May 2014 LIFE+ funding secured and match RSPB and SNH funding in place. October 2014 LIFE+ Project commences. December 2014 Project Manager Charlie Main appointed and WMIL appointed as contractors to undertake black rat eradication operation at the Shiants in winter 15/16. Spring/Summer 2015 Ecological baseline monitoring data collected and full seabird colony count undertaken by RSPB and SNH staff. Autumn 2015 Final preparations put in place, permissions secured, and infrastructure installed for winter rat eradication operation 2nd November 2015 Ground based rodenticide baiting operation commences 28th November 2015 Intensive monitoring for rat sign commences alongside bating operation 22nd March 2016 Rodenticide baiting operation and intensive monitoring ends and biosecurity monitoring of permanent monitoring stations commences and biosecurity plan in place. April 2016 Post rat removal, three-year programme of ecological monitoring commences. May 2016 Storm petrel and Manx shearwater sound lure attraction work commences. October 2016 Two-week intensive monitoring check for rat sign. December 2016 Incursion response team trained to support a future incursion response at the Shiants if required. Summer 2017 First storm petrel response heard from possible nesting burrow. February 2018 Four-week intensive Final Check for rat sign 2nd March 2018 Shiant Isles declared rat free Summer 2018 Storm petrel responses recorded from at least three possible nesting burrows. August 2018 Three years of post-rat removal ecological monitoring completed 21st Sept 2018 Storm petrel breeding confirmed when a chick is recorded responding to playback from nesting burrow. 26th – 27th End of Project Conference held in Stornoway with excursion trips to the September 2018 Shiants. 31st December 2018 LIFE+ project ends Project Partners, Contractors and Funding The Shiant Isles Recovery Project has been a partnership between RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the Nicolson Family, the custodians of the islands. The RSPB were the lead delivery partner organisation. The project was funded by EU LIFE+ Nature (LIFE13 NAT/UK/000209 – LIFE Shiants), SNH and by private donations. The rat eradication was led by Wildlife Management International Ltd with support from Sea Lewis Ltd and Sea Harris Ltd boat operators and fifteen volunteers. Purpose of this document This document sets out how the benefits and legacy of the LIFE+ Shiant Isles Recovery Project will be secured into the long term following the completion of the LIFE+ project. The plan currently covers the next five years to 2024 but much of this plan deals with the long-term biosecurity measures required to maintain rat free status at the Shiants. Although the level of biosecurity risk may change over time, there will be an ongoing need for biosecurity at an appropriate level to the risk in perpetuity. This plan will therefore be reviewed by partners in 2024, and an annual review of the biosecurity plan for the Shiants is recommended to ensure it remains up to date. This plan details What activities are necessary, How the activities will be delivered and financed, When activities will be undertaken and Who will be responsible. Delivery Partners of the After-LIFE Conservation Plan The existing partnership comprising of the Nicolson family, RSPB and SNH will continue with the addition of the Shiants Auk Ringing Group (SARG). SARG are a group of seabird ringers who have been visiting the Shiant Isles since the 1970s and annually since 2008 to undertake ringing studies and seabird monitoring. SARG supported the LIFE+ project, providing volunteers for the rat removal operation and final check, and through hosting RSPB sabbatical placements during their annual summer visit to the Shiants. SARG will carry out annual seabird monitoring, continue to host an annual RSPB sabbatical placement, and undertake one biosecurity monitoring check annually. The RSPB will provide secretariat to the partnership, coordinating the project legacy work and arranging an annual meeting (by Skype/VC or in person) between partners to review this plan, report on the work undertaken over the previous year and plan for the coming year. The Nicolson family as custodians of the islands have a pivotal role especially in communicating rat free status and promoting biosecurity measures to island visitors. The Nicolson’s will chair the annual meeting of partners. Between annual meetings most communication will be by e-mail. SNH will lead in future seabird population counts of the Shiants SPA and support biosecurity surveillance and incursion response as capacity allows. The contact details for the lead representatives of the partner organisations are given in Table 2 and the responsibilities in delivering the After-Life Conservation Plan actions are summarised in Table 4. Table 2. Partner contact details Partner Lead Contact Person(s) Contact details The Nicolson family (island Tom Nicolson [email protected] owners) Adam Nicolson [email protected] Royal Society for the Robin Reid, RSPB Senior [email protected] Protection of Birds (RSPB) Conservation Officer [email protected] Laura Bambini, RSPB Senior Project Manager - Seabird Island Restoration Shiants Auk Ringing Group Jim Lennon, SARG leader [email protected] (SARG) Scottish Natural Heritage Andy Douse, Policy and [email protected]
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