A deadly threat to Blasket birds

THE worst fears people had for wildlife on the Great Blasket Island have been realised, following confirmation that deadly mink have appeared on the island, off the Dingle Peninsula.

The big danger is they could wreak havoc among the ground nesting Manx shearwaters, of which an estimated 3,500 pairs are to be found on the Blaskets.

The west Kerry branch of BirdWatch Ireland has reported upwards of a dozen mink have been trapped on the island since last October, thanks to the work of leading currach builder Eddie Hutchinson who has been using traps provided by wildlife rangers.