What is this about?

The Island of Mousa in Shetland is a magical place, steeped in history and teeming with special wildlife. The Island is an RSPB managed nature reserve where our small Shetland team monitor and protect the key inhabitants of this unique place.

Mousa is home to one of the UK’s largest breeding colonies of European Storm Petrels, as well as a raft of other amazing breeding birds, an important Common Seal haul out area and a Grey Seal pupping site. It is the Storm Petrels, that make Mousa so significant, with around 14,000 pairs of this tiny seabird living across the island, in the stone walls, beaches and even in the cavities of the historic Mousa broch.

What do the RSPB do here?

Our work in Mousa ranges throughout the year and is one of 15 sites that the local team look after across Shetland. In Mousa, we carry out a range of activities.

• Bio-security box checks across the island take place monthly throughout the year, to ensure the island remains free of non-native ground predators such as rats.

• Path maintenance and boardwalk replacements, signage and way-markers to make the island accessible for visitors.

• Monitoring of Black Guillemots, breeding waders, breeding skuas. Arctic Tern colony counts and protection. Storm Petrel nest box checks and study plots. Shag population counts and productivity counts.

The RSPB receive no income from visitors coming to Mousa, so the increasing number of people enjoying Mousa, means more time and money spent on improving and maintaining routes. Donations and sponsorships will help us to offset this and allow us to do more.

What is included and how do I select which package?

Package 1

1 year

£50

Simply make your donation for the selected package- and include contact details or contact kevin.kelly@rspb.org.uk, we will then be in touch to arrange your package, which includes:

• Sponsor your own individual nesting box

• Receive 2 update newsletters throughout the season about your box occupancy and the wider Mousa population.

• Receive a thank you certificate and Storm petrel pin badge

• A personalised video update from your sponsored box

Package 2- if visiting Shetland

1 year

£80

Simply make your donation for the selected package- and include contact details or contact kevin.kelly@rspb.org.uk, we will then be in touch to arrange your package, which includes all of package 1, plus:

• Join one of the RSPB Shetland team for a personal guided walk for you and a guest around the island as they undertake essential monitoring/ survey work.

• Please note the fare for the boat is separate and payable to Mousa Boat on the day.

Package 3-

3 Year

£130

Simply make your donation for the selected package- and include contact details or contact kevin.kelly@rspb.org.uk, we will then be in touch to arrange your package, which includes:

• Sponsor your own individual nesting box for 3 years

• Receive 2 update newsletters throughout the seasons about your box occupancy and the wider Mousa population.

• Receive a thank you certificate and Storm petrel pin badge

• A personalised video update from your sponsored box each year.

Company Sponsorship

1 year

£300

• Everything in package 1, plus a personalised "behind the scenes" guided walk for up to 10 guests.

• Please note the fare for the boat is separate and payable to Mousa Boat on the day.

• Other bespoke packages are available so please contact direct: kevin.kelly@rspb.org.uk