Stoat Survey | CEDaR Online Recording

The Irish Stoat Survey invites the public to report sightings of the Irish Stoat throughout Ireland. We welcome any observations of stoats, including live animals or dead specimens such as roadkill.

Photo: Dermot Breen

Irish Stoat Survey

Although the Irish stoat is believed to have been continually present on the island of Ireland for at least 12,500 years, there is little reliable information on its population. They are elusive mammals, who are rarely seen, and who leave few field tracks and signs, such as hair or droppings. They often avoid the standard monitoring methods used for other mammals.

The survey is a collaborative project between Vincent Wildlife Trust, National Biodiversity Data Centre, University of Galway and the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (Northern Ireland). Financial assistance for this survey was provided by the Irish Environmental Network and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Photos: Carl Morrow, Carrie Crowley

The Irish Stoat

The subspecies of Irish stoat differs from other stoats in the rest of Europe because it does not turn white in winter, and the line dividing the chestnut-coloured upper fur and the creamy-coloured fur on its belly is usually irregular. However, like all stoats, it has a distinctive black tip to its tail, a long sinuous body, short legs and a flattened head. There are no weasels in Ireland, so the stoat fills the niche occupied by both species in other places.

Mustelid ID Guide (available here)

The Irish stoat can be mistaken for other small mustelids, particularly at dusk or when it is moving quickly. Use this ID guide to differentiate the Irish stoat from pine marten, mink, ferret and otter.

Please provide as much information as possible about your Stoat sighting(s).

What was observed?

Alive or Dead:*

Abundance: *

Age:*

Certainty:*

Please note: if you have had an expert confirm the identification of a record please add their name in the 'Determiner' field. This will help when the record is being verified.

Determiner:

Record comment:

Photos:

Your details.

Your contact details

First name: *

Last name: *

Email: *

Telephone Number:

Any additional recorder(s) names.

Name(s) of any additional recorder(s):

Date of your sighting.

Date of sighting (required): *

Time of sighting:*

Please provide the spatial reference and site name for the record.

Search for a place on the map:

This gives us an approximate grid reference for the location. We'll then move the map so that you can click on it to provide an accurate position for the record(s). Note: contents of this field will not be retained as part of the record.

Spatial reference: *

By clicking on the map the spatial reference will autofill. The more you zoom in, the more accurate the grid reference.

Site name: *

For example the nearest town, village, park, nature reserve etc.
Do not enter a postal address as the information you provide will be visible to others.

Habitat:*

Additional detail if "Other" habitat selected:

Notes about using the map:
use the + sign on the right hand side of the map to change the base mapping used from Google to OpenStreetMap.
To create an accurate and useful record, use your mouse to drag the area of interest to the centre of the map window and use the zoombar on the left hand side to zoom in tight to the area where you made the sighting. When you have zoomed in, click on the location - this will autofill the Spatial Reference box above.