AnnualReportfor20251SeptCOMP2026 - Flipbook - Page 15
By 2030, VWT will have:
5
addressed evidence gaps and data de昀椀ciency
for VWT Priority Species so that conservation e昀昀ort
is better informed.
Main achievements during 2025
A Irish Stoat Citizen Science Survey
B The fourth National Polecat Survey (2024-2025)
A VWT Ireland’s Irish Stoat Citizen Science Survey,
which 昀椀nished in 2025 after two years, aimed to
address uncertainties around the distribution of
the species. The Irish Stoat, a subspecies present in
Ireland for more than 12,500 years, lacks reliable data
on population size, trends and distribution.
The survey collected 816 veri昀椀ed records of stoat
sightings, which were mostly from around Galway,
Limerick, Cork and Belfast. A Master’s project, funded
by NPWS, used these records to carry out habitat
suitability modelling, which highlighted key habitats
for stoats, such as bogs and agricultural lands. It also
revealed a seasonal effect on habitat preferences.
Polecat: ©Robert Patterson
The survey is helping to improve understanding of the
distribution of Irish stoat throughout its range and has
provided better baseline data and information on which
to base future monitoring methods and conservation
interventions. The communications and resources
produced for the survey have also helped to improve
mustelid identi昀椀cation skills among the public.
The work was carried out in partnership with the
National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford, the
Centre for Environmental Data and Recording in
Northern Ireland, and the University of Galway.
B Following centuries of persecution that resulted
in its extinction across much of its British historical
range, the European polecat has been naturally
recovering and re-colonising Britain. Beginning
in 1993, VWT has carried out regular National
Polecat Surveys with the help of citizen scientists
at approximately ten yearly intervals. The results
of these surveys have shown a continual, gradual
expansion in polecat distribution across Wales and
areas of central and southern England.
VWT’s fourth National Polecat Survey (2024-2025) used
the same methodology as the previous 2014-2015 survey
to collect data on the polecat’s current distribution
in Britain and collected more than 2,300 records,
which were veri昀椀ed and analysed. With the public’s
help, we’ve revealed that the polecat is continuing
to colonise new areas of England, particularly the far
southwest and eastern counties where it was absent for
more than 100 years. It also appears to be retaining its
stronghold in Wales, which could hold key information
for how to support polecat recovery in mainland
Europe, where it is declining in most countries.
The survey received large numbers of images and
videos of polecats, with the most common type of
record being live sightings. The survey also highlighted
more live sightings from urban areas, which hints
at the polecat adapting to living alongside people.
However, we also found that this small carnivore
is still uncommon in parts of northern England and
throughout Scotland, and may need our support to
recover in these regions.
Vincent Wildlife Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025 15
