Resources

This report presents the results of a modelling study funded by National Parks and Wildlife Service during 2020. The study investigates the gaps in the distribution of the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland over its entire range, incorporating datasets on land cover, roads, linear habitat features and density of artificial lighting, to produce a baseline map of potential ecological corridors to connect lesser horseshoe bat sub-populations.

The 2019 All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey was published in June 2020 and was made possible by members of the public who submitted their sightings of red and grey squirrels and pine martens across the island of Ireland during 2019. The project was led by NUI Galway in partnership with VWT, Ulster Wildlife, the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording in Northern Ireland. It was funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

This report constitutes a preliminary assessment of the biological feasibility of reintroducing the European wildcat to regions of England and Wales. This was done by modelling and mapping potentially suitable wildcat habitat across England and Wales in the first instance, and by identifying the range of potential risk factors that may negatively impact a wildcat reintroduction. 

Polecat distribution surveys at ten-year intervals have been recommended in order to monitor changes in polecat distribution. The aim of this survey was to gather up-to-date information on the distribution of polecats and polecat-ferrets during the period 2014-2015.

Successful translocations of pine martens to recently and historically occupied suitable habitat could be a major proactive step towards improving the conservation status and genetic diversity of the pine marten in England and Wales. This report provides an initial assessment of the feasibility of undertaking translocations to reinforce existing populations that have failed to recover naturally.

This report follows on from a pine marten Expansion Zone Survey conducted in 2012 (Croose et al., 2013), which provided information on current patterns of pine marten distribution in Scotland following population recovery and range expansion since the 20th century.