Reporting sightings ‘effective in managing invasive species’
EFFORTS to locate and destroy any remaining Asian hornet nests are continuing, with the public being asked to carry on reporting sightings.
The largest nest ever dealt with by the Asian Hornet Team was brought down from 100ft up in the canopy of an oak tree at La Vallette at the beginning of the month and further nests were removed from Sark a week later.
However, it is known that further nests remain – some of which are in even more difficult-to-reach places – and sightings are still being called in.
‘We are continuing to make plans to deal with the four nests that we are aware of, most of which are in more challenging locations,’ said senior natural environment officer Julia Henney.
She thanked the several islanders who had recently reported possible sightings of Asian hornets, and confirmed that the team had seen more during their work.
‘We rely heavily on reported sightings and so far, this has proved an effective method for managing this invasive species,’ she said.
Taxi driver Mark ‘Tiny’ Walters spotted one while enjoying lunch with friend Paul Bugden in the outdoor dining area at Pier 17 on the Albert Pier last Thursday.
‘It flew in from the direction of Castle Cornet and at first, I didn’t have a clue what it was,’ said Mr Walters.
‘It was a rather nasty-looking thing – much bigger than any wasps or bees I’ve seen.’
Having reported a sighting at Fermain Bay in early August, Mr Bugden recognised the insect as a worker Asian hornet and knew the drill.
‘I had the app that the AHT have promoted, so I knew to take a photo, observe which direction it was going in and submit the information to the team,’ he said.
‘I didn’t know the procedure when I was down at Fermain and that hornet – which had decided to go for a swim in my cider – ended up squashed.
'his time I tried to see which direction it was going in, but it wasn’t easy. The wretched thing was flying round in circles.’
Sark’s lead Asian hornet co-ordinator Peter Cunneen confirmed that two nests were removed last Friday but that at least one more was believed to exist.
If nests remain in place over the next few weeks, the result could be the production of a new generation of queens.
The AHT has warned that a large, secondary nest is capable of producing as many as 300 to 500 queens, which could hibernate over the winter, causing further problems next year.
‘Our message at this time of year remains the same,' said Miss Henney.
Anyone spotting a hornet should not kill it, but take a picture and report it to the Asian Hornet Team on 07839 197082, or emailing asianhornet@gov.gg.
‘The team can then use this information to locate more worker hornets and track them back to the nest.’
Go to gov.gg/Asianhornet for more information.
