Nature

Stockbridge Meadows group

If you have ever visited Stockbridge Meadows, did you find yourself wondering what, if any, small animals live there? Muntjac deer are often heard making their harsh barking call, buzzards and other birds can be seen, but what about the animals that live in the undergrowth?

An opportunity to find out about these secretive mammals came at the beginning of October. The Cambridgeshire Mammal Group, having gained permission from the Parish Council, undertook a survey of small mammals such as mice, shrews and voles in Stockbridge Meadows.

Volunteers from the Mammal group who are trained in the use of live-capture traps and the handling of small mammals started their survey in the early afternoon on a wet Saturday. The traps they use are Longworth live-capture traps, which are designed to minimise the discomfort of the animals and to provide a safe warm place for them until they are released. The nest box part of the trap, where the animal spends their time before release, is filled with bedding material and food. This ensures that the animal is comfortable and able to feed until their release.

Thirty-nine of these traps were placed within the various habitats in Stockbridge Meadows. Each trap was marked with either a cane or biodegradable tape and noted down.

Early on Sunday morning the traps were located, and the small mammals captured were identified, weighed, sexed and released. Thirty five of the thirty-nine traps had captured a small mammal, giving an 89.7% success rate. The volunteers informed us that this was one of the highest success rates that they had seen. Although uncomfortable for the people undertaking the survey, apparently a high success rate often occurs in wet weather. The theory is that the small mammals are seeking refuge from the rain and find these traps a lovely warm refuge supplied with food.

It was a privilege to be allowed to watch this team of volunteers undertake the survey. The professional manner in dealing with the traps and the sensitive handling of the caught mammals, ensuring they were returned to the capture area, was exemplary.

The survey demonstrated a very healthy population of small mammals on site. The findings were: 30 wood mice, 4 bank voles and 1 shrew

Why is this important? Small mammals form a vital part of our ecosystems, both by contributing to overall biodiversity and by providing prey for carnivores such as owls and weasels. Their presence will encourage other wildlife to the reserve. It also shows that we are providing the right habitat for them to thrive.

The last ecological survey for Stockbridge Meadows was undertaken prior to its development into a Nature reserve. This latest finding will now help to build up our knowledge of the reserve ten years on. It is hoped that in the Spring the same wildlife group will undertake a bat survey and the Cambridge and Peterborough Amphibian and Reptile group will survey our grass snake and lizard population.

However, it was noted by these volunteers that people were walking their dogs off the lead. This is very detrimental to the wildlife in the reserve, as the free roaming of dogs in undergrowth will frighten the very animals we have just surveyed and also disturb the Munjac who lie up during the day in Stockbridge Meadows.

The notice in the car park informing that dogs should be walked on leads has been broken and is in for repair. The Parish Council will be replacing this notice. To avoid disturbance to wildlife please walk your dog on the lead. Thank you.

I would also like to thank everyone involved in the survey who braved the very wet weather. We look forward to welcoming the next wildlife surveyors in the Spring. Maureen Brierley

Weighing wood mouse