Positive signs that mink control is having an impact at Attenborough Nature Reserve
Great crested grebes have long been one of the most popular bird species at Attenborough Nature Reserve – with visitors looking forward to witnessing their iconic mating ‘weed dance’ where the male and female birds engage in synchronised displays of preening and headshaking whilst presenting strands of water weed to each other – but in recent years the numbers of chicks fledging is thought to have been impacted by predation by non-native mink.
Once persecuted for their feathers and reduced to just 32 known pairs in England – the UK population has been stable since the mid 1990’s - but the impact of mink on grebe, other bird species and particularly water voles has led to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust taking concerted action to reduce mink numbers at Attenborough, in the wider Erewash Valley and other key river catchments across the county as part of its Water Vole Recovery project – funded through Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme & supported by Severn Trent.
Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme delivers targeted action for threatened species with bespoke needs.
Recent observations by long-term volunteer Phil Carter, who helps monitor the sand martin colony that uses the special sand martin nesting hide behind Attenborough Nature Centre, suggest that efforts to reduce mink numbers maybe having the desired effect – and the Trust is keen to hear other people’s observations of how grebes and other species have fared this season.
Speaking about his observations Phil said: “Mink have been having a negative impact on great crested grebes and other species at Attenborough for a number of years and it’s been a delight to see more great crested grebe chicks this year.”
Staff at the popular reserve have also noted lapwing chicks on an island where they’ve not previously been recorded – more evidence that the reduction in mink numbers may be giving birds a better chance of success.
Speaking about the observations, Water Vole Recovery Project Manager Gary Cragg said: “Whilst we only have anecdotal observations that the mink control measures maybe having a positive impact – we’re heartened that it does seem that great crested grebes have had a better year this year. Phil’s observations mirror feedback from our team and partner landowners who’ve also noted that they’ve seen an increase in species including mallard and moorhen on their land where we’ve been controlling mink.”
Mink are voracious hunters capable of taking a range of prey species and as a non-native species, have no natural predators in the UK meaning that their presence can have a devastating impact on water vole and water bird numbers. The Trust’s Water Vole Recovery project is using a tried and tested approach to eradicate mink from key river systems to give species the chance to recover.
Gary added: “Whilst water voles, our most threatened UK mammal species, are the focus of the project, efforts to remove mink from the local ecosystem will undoubtedly benefit a range of species and we hope that birds such as great crested grebe will stand a much better chance of breeding success in the years to come.”