black rats in UK

[Mustela]

I am trying to visit a colony of this species in the UK but am having difficulty in getting up to date information on distribution. I know they were on Lundy until eradication a couple of years back and to my knowledge the only surviving ones are on the Shiant Isles off Lewis. The latter is very difficult to visit - does anyone know where I can find out if there are other (accessible) colonies?
thanks

[RobSutton]

The "Review of British Mammals" 1995 by Stephen Harris et al (the link below should take you to it)

A review of British mammalsopulation estimates and conservation status of British mammals other than cetaceans

reckons that there were only about 200 - 300 in the UK outside of the populations on the Shiants (and possibly still Lundy), the only records were from port areas, so that makes it a fairly tough call I think.

[henrya]

Originally Posted by Mustela

I am trying to visit a colony of this species in the UK but am having difficulty in getting up to date information on distribution. I know they were on Lundy until eradication a couple of years back and to my knowledge the only surviving ones are on the Shiant Isles off Lewis. The latter is very difficult to visit - does anyone know where I can find out if there are other (accessible) colonies?
thanks

They used to be on Sark in the Channel Islands (would this do?). Best to check it out with the local naturalists before you make a trip. Otherwise, there are only sporadic occurrences in ports, and probably no self-sustaining colonies on the mainland.

henrya

[hachidori]

I was under the impression that the Lundy eradication was unsuccessful.

[Mustela]

Apparently there may be a few left on Lundy, yes, but surely not many. They'd probably be hard to find.

Interestingly the atlas mentioned above details a good spread of records including one from Cambridge, within 4 or 5 miles of my home!