Western Isles
Hebridean Mink Project
| Introduction | Introduction cont...| Mink
the species | Under threat | The European responsibility|
| Addressing the problem | News and updates | Links |nks
|
Under threat
The recent spread of mink into North Uist and Benbecula threatens the continued existence of many bird populations, particularly in the European Special Protection Areas at: Aird and Borve on Benbecula, Mointeach Scabadhaigh on North Uist, North Uist Machair and Islands, South Uist Machair and Lochs, and Kilpheder to Smerclate on South Uist. The principal species considered to be at serious risk are Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Black Throated Diver, Red Throated Diver, Corncrake, Dunlin, Ringed Plover.
Economic activities such as fin-fish farming, river fisheries, game shooting, poultry farming and, indirectly, tourism, industries which contribute almost £50M p.a. (22%) to the Isles economy, are also considered to be under the threat of mink.