Small unimproved meadows with woodland and hedges edges are ideal places for small mammals. These rarely seen animals are more active at night, and usually only seen as a flash of movement if spotted in the daytime.

To find out what small mammals are using Pudsham Meadows DPA Ecological Consultant Albert Knott borrowed longworth traps from Devon Mammal Group. These were carefully put out at small mammal level and covered to protect them from adverse weather conditions.

The traps were baited with mixed seed food and mealworms, the latter to cater for shrews. They were then left open for a 9 day acclimatisation period, so that animals could get used to them. Following this, the traps were live set and re-baited. We also added bedding in the form of dry leaves, bracken, and grass. This type of trap allows the small mammal walk in and then the door shuts behind them.

Albert was joined by volunteer Susan Morris and work placement student Machonna Teare to check the traps. Owing to the mammal’s lively nature, the whole trap with a shut door was put in large bag so that mammal could be caught by the scruff of its neck in a gentle way. We gained data on the species, sex, weight and any relevant other notes.

3 species were recorded at Pudsham Meadows: bank vole, wood mouse and house mouse. We know that dormice also use the site from the nest tubes that have been recorded throughout the season. We did do a check of the Molinia/Purple Moor Grass for harvest mice but did not find the typical nests, although there were signs of short tailed field voles and moles.

Sadly, we did not record any shrews, but that does not mean there were none there. It is good to know that the site is well used by small mammals, with multiple species using the same place over three visits. A healthy small mammal population is an indicator of a healthy and robust overall habitat.

We have year round volunteering opportunities on our four land holdings, including Pudsham Hay Meadows. If you would like to help us take care of these special places, and the plants and animals that live there, why not join us for our next workday? Upcoming dates can be found on our website.

Albert Knott