Elizabeth (Biz) Bell, Paul Garner-Richards, Lyn Byrne, Dave Boyle and Luke Banse (WMIL staff) arrived on Canna on Saturday 23rd September.
Investigations of all areas of suspected or reported rat sightings or activity, from over the summer monitoring period, was undertaken. There were three reported sites – Lamasgor, upper slopes above Tarbet Road (where a cow died in one of the bogs) and Canna House. Another site was suggested when the team arrived, the dump behind Doirlinn. Trap sets were placed at each site (with the exception of Lamasgor where monitoring is in place). The traps were run for five days, with no captures. Ten monitoring stations per site were established. These have not shown any rat sign, but will remain in position for the remainder of the monitoring period. Permanent trap sets have been established from the pier to the Tea Rooms. The remainder will be established next week. Nothing has been caught in these sets.
An additional bait station line will be established along the old stone wall near Canna House. This track requires some vegetation clearing work. Machetes have been ordered, but have not been received yet. A strimmer (brush-cutter) has been borrowed from Geoff Soe-Paing and some excellent progress has been made in establishing this bait station line. Once completed, bait and monitoring stations will be set out, and it will be added to the grid map.
Bait stations have been replaced in most of the paddocks in the In-Bye area. Bait stations and wires have been taken to Tarbet to be put out in the paddocks there. Another bait station line was established along Tarbet Road. Monitoring has been placed out on the northern side of the island using the boat, but it was too rough to land at any of the southern boat-access sites. Monitoring equipment has been sorted out in the loft of the main implement shed ready for the complete monitoring programme. More chocolate wax blocks will have to be made.
Sea eagles (both adults and juveniles) have been seen frequently during the week. Golden eagles have also been seen on several occasions.
The recycling skip (for bottles and cans) have been placed on the pier. The large rubbish skip also remains on the pier. All residents are using the skip and recycling centre. No composting is occurring.
Two wood mice researchers from Napier University have been on the island for this week, they had a successful trip with over twenty mice caught (both adults and juveniles). They have now left the island.
Biz Bell, Dave Boyle and Paul Garner-Richards - WMIL, Sunday 1st October 2006
return to progress home page
