Conservationists looking after one of Scotland’s most remote seabird colonies have removed tons of ancient plastic washed ashore – including a Hobnob biscuit packet that is 40 years old.
The rangers – Erika Faggiani from Spain, Johnny Rolt from Bristol and assistant ranger Roxana Buhus from Romania – are based on Handa Island, three miles off the west coast of Sutherland.
In their latest blog, they said: “Most of it is fishing industry waste such as nets, fish boxes, fish pipes and rope but there is also domestic refuse. “Of note was one Mcvities Hobnob wrapper that seems to be from the 1980s. It is quite sobering that it is not only still intact, but also perfectly legible.”
The wildlife workers also revealed the number of puffins on the isle had fallen drastically. “Our highest count was 87 on the cliffs with a further 12 in the water. This is lower than previous years, but the method used …may provide only a broad indication of colony size’,” they said.
