Geoff continues to check the monitoring grid. Since the last report there has been one further complete check, round 5. On this round 697 stations were checked, with the aid of Highland RG, these included the stations at the Nunnery, Iola Sgor, Geugasgor and Lamasgor, some of which had not been checked for a few months, in order to avoid unnecessary disturbance to breeding seabirds and eagles. 381 stations (55%) had mice nibbles, less than that recorded in the previous round, presumably as the mice have plenty of natural food resources to exploit. No rat signs were detected.

The Highland Ringing Group Canna seabird team, consisting of Bob Swann, David Aiton, Andrew Call, Simon Foster, Kenny Graham, Andrew Ramsay and Ally Young arrived on Canna on 29^th June to conduct eight days intensive bird monitoring work on the island and were ably assisted by Kathryn Mackinnon. The table below gives details of the birds counted in 2007, compared to previous years.

Source: HRG data gathered under contract to JNCC.

2007, like the two preceding years, was characterised by many birds laying much later than normal, probably as a result of poor food supplies. This causes the birds to take much longer than normal to get into breeding condition. For several species, particularly Guillemots, there was a lot of evidence that many pairs, once again failed to get as far as egg laying, resulting in a further decline in breeding numbers.

This problem of poor food supplies is hindering the expected recovery in breeding numbers, following the rat eradication programme. Following last years bounce back it was good to see Razorbill numbers continuing to increase, despite obvious food problems (many Razorbill chicks were undernourished and continually calling for food). Shag numbers also showed a small but welcome increase. Another positive sign is that we were finding lots of new Puffin burrows on the Geugasgor slopes. Unfortunately we have no monitoring plots here (yet?). This would appear to be yet another response to the removal of rats.

The programme for the EU Life (Nature) Fund post project conference is now complete. This will be a joint conference hosted by The National Trust for Scotland, Royal Zoological Society of Edinburgh and Central Science Laboratory. It is entitled:Tackling the Problem of invasive alien mammals on seabird colonies - Strategic approaches and practical experience.

It will be held on 18-19 September 2007, at the Education Centre, Edinburgh Zoo. A booking form, giving full details of the programme can be found on the project website by clicking on:

PROGRAMME and BOOKING FORM

Book soon as any bookings received after 18^th August 2007, will incur a late booking fee.

Bob Swann

Project Administrator