Equipment continues to arrive on the island. Any missing items or further requirements are reported to Bob, who sources them and sends them to the island.
The Natural Arch area was completed this week, with 13 bait stations being placed using abseiling ropes and low tide access. Due to the difficulty in reaching these stations, 20 blocks have been placed in each station. Other offshore stacks and sea-access sites were also reached by boat this week. These stations also have more bait (up to 40 blocks per station) as they may not be checked as regularly due to weather and sea condition constraints.
The second bait check was completed over six days (Thursday to Wednesday) due to delays by the weather (severe gales last week). The bait take by rats is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
The third bait check was completed over three days (Thursday to Saturday). The bait take by rats is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2
Unfortunately the cattle on the island continue to eat the plastic numbered tags and kicking up bait stations in certain areas. These sites are being checked and the tags are being placed underneath the stations. Station numbers are also being painted onto the stations using Tipex™. Bait has been wired into the stations in all cattle areas on the Western Plateau, where some of the cattle will be staying in the present areas for most of the winter. On Sanday the ponies have also begun to interfere with the stations. This is thought to be learnt behaviour from watching the cattle which share the same paddock. At present there is no bait in any pony area. Bait will be wired into all stations in pony areas. Sheep and goats continue to ignore the stations.
The weather improved this week with no days being lost. Assistance was given to Gerry Mackinnon with moving stock onto the Spanish John. All remaining old chicken sheds were burnt.
Suzi Hogg (NTS volunteer) arrived on Thursday 17th November and Sarah Stevens (NTS volunteer) departed Saturday 19th November.
Biz Bell and Dave Boyle, WMIL. Sunday 20th November 2005
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