16 sheep were brought to the Isle of Muck for conservation grazing during the winter months.  This reduces the thick grassland vegetation which makes the habitat more favourable for our resident ground-nesting seabirds. Grazing also helps remove any potential cover for non-native invasive species, such as brown rats which prey on vulnerable seabird eggs and chicks.~ John McLaughlin

The team were treated to two snow buntings last week at Slievenacloy. Snow bunting are a regular winter visitor to Slievenacloy from the Arctic regions and are easily recognised with their striking black and white plumage.

There are also some resident snow buntings in the UK, which breed in Scotland. Sadly it's a species in peril, as Scotland's breeding bird populations are threatened by climate change ~ Andrew Crory