The company's application had been rejected following a long campaign by local wildlife groups, which were concerned about the loss of breeding habitat for lapwings, skylarks and grey partridge.

With lots of stagnant water around to provide a breeding habitat, more people have been bitten than during a normal year.

Sometimes it competes with other sucker species and redhorse for breeding habitat.

The island also provides roosts and breeding habitat for a variety of seabird species.

Its breeding habitat comprises braided river systems, open paddocks and cultivated land, lake beaches, subalpine tundra and herbfields.