One of the many interesting features of Orkney is its varied wildlife to some of the UK especially the landlocked area of Yorkshire I’m used to working in. Many of the species of wildlife are unfortunately invasive and have been regrettably brought over to the isles.
Hen harriers and short-eared owls are often seen from the roads, while iconic species such as otters, puffins and white-tailed eagles can often be seen. The sea adds a much welcomed addition of dolphins, seals and whales. In spring, red-throated, curlews, oystercatchers, redshanks and lapwings come to ground for breeding season. One of the amazing things with this is that Orkney supports nearly 20% of the UK's breeding hen harriers, despite just 0.4% of its land area.
The Orkney vole is found nowhere else in the world! It is a sub-species of the common vole and unique to the Orkney Islands. It is larger and heavier than the common vole. It is bigger than a mouse, with a rounded head and a relatively short tail. They do not hibernate and are active during the day making them the food source of choice for many predatory birds and mammals.
Foxes, badgers, squirrels and deer are not on the isles (a relief to the chickens I’m sure) Hares, rabbits and even mountain hares (on Hoy) all thrive here. Hedgehogs are here aswell but also one of the incomers which were brought over.
Stoats are one of the most highlighted threats currently to the important native wildlife. They started appearing in 2010 and without any large predators they are thriving at the expense of the smaller natives such as the Orkney vole, hen harrier, short-eared owl and other ground nesting birds such as red-throated divers, Arctic terns and curlews. To help keep the numbers down, dogs are being used to track the scent of the stoats to with trap placements. Stoats are also very good swimmers so some of the closer isles such as Hoy are also at high risk of the invasion and the same threats to native wildlife. This is ran by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council.