A three-year project is underway to secure the recovery of the internationally important seabird colonies on Canna by eradicating rats from the islands. Funding has been sought from the EU LIFE Nature programme with additional support from Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Rats will be eradicated from the Canna and Sanday SPA by poisoning with Warfarin over two successive Winters from September 2005 to March 2006 and again (if necessary) from September 2006 to March 2007. It is essential to complete the eradication programme in Winter because it is much easier to poison the rats when they are stressed by low food availability and cold; birds of prey are not breeding at this time and the risks of accidental poisoning of young animals of any non-target species are minimised. The operation will also be scheduled so that it is completed first in raptor breeding areas, in order not to cause disturbance to raptors establishing territories from February onwards.

An unusual aspect of this Project is the need to achieve the eradication programme without causing damage to non-target wildlife which are also of very high conservation value (notably the breeding raptors and the distinct island population of Fieldmouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). A number of strict controls have been planned to protect the birds of prey and a population of the Fieldmice will be removed from the island to breed in captivity at Edinburgh Zoo so that they can be released once the programme is complete

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