Have you seen an Irish stoat in Louth? - Researchers need your help

The Irish Stoat Citizen Science Survey is entering its final weeks, and researchers need your help! Nearly 700 sightings have been verified across Ireland, but only five from County Louth of this elusive and one of our lesser-known mammals

If you have seen an Irish stoat, alive or dead, please submit your sightings via the National Biodiversity Data Centre website here or scan the QR code below:

The Irish stoat is a subspecies only found on the islands of Ireland and the Isle of Man. Fossil bones of the animal have been found in two caves in County Cork, with one set dating back between 27,000 and 35,000 years and a second set around 10,680 years ago. This means stoats were here before and after the last Ice Age, making it one of our oldest mammal inhabitants.

Stoats are often confused with other small mustelids in Ireland, including ferrets, American mink and the pine marten. Although similar in some ways, stoats are ‘stoatally’ different in others. All four species share the same long, thin body shape and short legs, but stoats differ in their much smaller size (far smaller than a cat), chestnut brown coat with creamy white bib and underside, and the very distinctive black tip to their tail. 

The Irish stoat is elusive and one of our lesser-known mammals. They are notoriously hard to monitor, being small, fast and very camera-shy. They leave few field signs such as footprints, fur and obvious scats (carnivore poo), unlike their mustelid relatives, the otter, badger and pine marten.

This has led to the species being under-studied. Through the Irish Stoat Citizen Science Survey, which was launched in February 2023 and will run till the end of January 2025, and with the help of citizen scientists sending in their sightings, we hope to learn more about these animals.

Helen Hanratty, Biodiversity Officer with Louth County Council said, “We can all play a part by helping to gather information to improve understanding of the state of nature in our local area. Ad hoc sightings and citizen science recording initiatives like the Irish Stoat Citizen Science Survey provide important biological data that contribute to generating high quality, scientifically robust insights.

"This allows us to track changes in our biodiversity both nationally and locally and helps to inform the action that needs to be taken to protect and enhance our habitats and species. Environmental charities like Vincent Wildlife Trust and organisations like the National Biodiversity Data Centre operate a series of citizen science driven monitoring programmes.

"There are surveys suitable for all levels of knowledge, covering a wide range of interests from garden birds to insects and marine biodiversity. To find out more about how to get involved in biological recording and to submit your own records please visit the National Biodiversity Data Centre website at www.biodiversityireland.ie.”

The Irish Stoat Survey is funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and is run by the Vincent Wildlife Trust in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the University of Galway, and the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording in Northern Ireland.