Three mink traps have been deployed at Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve as part of our network expansion to North Fife
Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve in Fife has a diverse range of coastal habitats – sandy beaches, dune heathland, wetlands, woodlands and lochs – and is home to a wide variety of native wildlife. Visitors to the reserve might be lucky enough to spot seals resting on the sandbanks or red squirrels scurrying up and down the Scots pine trees.
The wetlands and lochs are home to waders, wildfowl and many other birds which could be impacted by mink predation. Notable examples include kingfisher, water rail, marsh harrier, ringed plover and little grebe – all of which nest on the ground or in burrows, making them particularly vulnerable to predation from American mink.
Mink have been trapped seasonally at Tentsmuir NNR for a few years and it is known this invasive non-native species is in the area, so our team were keen to get in touch with the local NatureScot team and provide support for additional trapping efforts. By controlling populations of American mink, we can help to protect native wildlife in and around the reserve.
A few weeks ago, Tayside South Project Officer Douglas visited the reserve and set up three mink traps which will be monitored by NatureScot staff and volunteers. As this is such an important area for biodiversity, including vulnerable bird species, we are very pleased to get these first few traps set up in the area.
As we expand to the Tayside South area and build up a mink trapping network on the Earn and Eden rivers, it will also be important to trap in the areas in between – the Tay estuary, the coastlines, and any water bodies and small burns between the two catchments. These traps at Tentsmuir NNR are the first of many we will be working to set up in the wider area.
