Anja Murray: Vital invasive mink control for wildlife conservation

Because they are native to north America, mink have no natural predators here and can wreak havoc on ground-nesting birds 

One of the most pernicious predators of birds eggs and young chicks, especially waterbirds, is the invasive American mink

Spring is tip-toeing along this year, with hawthorn leaves beginning to appear, blackthorn blossom brightening the byways, and early morning birdsong reminding us that nesting season is underway. In a few weeks’ time, nests will fill with eggs, some of which will hopefully hatch and survive in to adulthood.

While the population dynamics of each species is different, a stable population generally requires that each nesting pair produces one chick each year that survives to autumn. This may not sound like a lot, though with so many challenges facing nesting and fledgling birds, ensuring at least one chick survives through the summer is a gamble, and the odds are raised by laying half a dozen eggs.