The Uists used to have the highest densities of nesting dunlin in the world, but they declined from around 1860 in the mid 1980s to around just 670 by 1995. Investigation has shown that high levels of egg predation by hedgehogs is resulting in very poor breeding success and is by far the most important reason for their declines. Three sites in the Uists have been classified as Special Protection Areas under the EC Birds Directive, and now the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department are preparing to take action against the spikey settlers. Phase one of the Uist wader project is expected to cost about 300,000 and will involve the appointment of a full-time project officer and fencing off the best nesting sites. But the project partners do not want to have to kill the hedgehogs.
Relocation is seen as one answer.
We will, therefore have to consider the feasibility of reducing the number of hedgehogs from either some or all of the Uist islands. This will involve identifying and assessing options for containment and controlling the hedgehog population. We will work with other relevant interests both on and off the islands to try and find mutually acceptable, practical and cost-effective solutions to safeguard this internationally renowned area for birds. The 80m Eden Project aims to create all the planet's climates in a former claypit in Cornwall under two giant domes called biomes, each with different temperatures. Within the past five days, about 300 plants and trees have been winched into place using a giant crane.