Whitchurch Carnivore Survey Return to Home Page
The Whitchurch Carnivore Survey, funded by our grant from Opal, got underway with a well-attended training session at Greenfields Local Nature Reserve on a sunny Saturday the 28th January. Photos from the morning can be seen here.
Surveys will take place on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Please contact Gareth Parry 01743 252543 for more information.
30th January 2012
AGM Committee changes Return to Home Page
Dan Wrench indicated his wish to step down from the committee this year. Without Dan’s input in helping to set up the group, along with that of Simon Poulton, we would not be here today.
Two new committee members: Paul Roberts and Lorcan Adrain were elected at the third AGM held at Uffington Village Hall on Saturday 14th January 2012. All the officers and other committee members were re-elected unopposed. 25 members were in attendance. After the formal AGM process, Gareth Parry gave members an update on the Opal project before a break for refreshments which was followed by a talk "Bats Underground" by John Morgan of Shropshire Bat Group.
17th January 2012
Harvest mouse survey bags two sheep at Whixall Return to Home Page
As part of our OPAL-funded project, members of Shropshire Mammal Group have recently conducted a survey on the edge of Whixall Moss where a harvest mouse nest had been found a few weeks ago. The laying out of the Longworth traps and hair-tubes was delayed by the urgent need to rescue two sheep which were up to their necks in the deep drain next to the survey site. It took three people to get the first one out and a rope had to be fetched to help rescue the second which was down a near-vertical bank.
The traps were baited and left open the first night. Just as well since it was very cold with a sharp frost. The next night was forecast to be much milder so the traps were set. On the Saturday morning [3rd Dec] ten members gathered in bright sunshine at Morris’s Bridge to see what had been caught and look for more nests. No harvest mice, but wood mice of various ages in four of the traps. There appeared to be hairs on some of the tubes but these will require microscope observation to identify. A search for nests along the margin between the field and canal towpath failed to reveal any signs of further nests. However, it was a pleasant morning and a good opportunity for Mammal Group members to meet and chat.
Thanks go to Gareth for organising the event and to Lorcan, Malcolm and Tim for setting out the traps – and rescuing the sheep. Baa!
6th December 2011
SMG Committee changes Return to Home Page
As mentioned in the September newsletter, Charlotte Mullard has left the area to take up a post with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. We thank her for all her contributions to the group, especially producing such excellent newsletters.
We are very pleased to report that Stuart Edmunds has stepped forward and offered to take over the Newsletter and we look forward to his first edition in December. Meanwhile, if members have items for the newsletter, please email them to Stuart who was also co-opted on to the committee at the meeting held on 3rd October.
4th October 2011
SMG member makes p2 of Mammal News
Congratulations to SMG member Stuart Edmunds for making p2 of The Mammal Society's newsletter "Mammal News" with an item about his pine marten survey.
Saturday 2nd July 2011 - Tetrad Survey in Brown Moss area
Three members recorded evidence from eight different mammal species [fox, badger, squirrel, field vole, bank vole, wood mouse, mole and rabbit]. As well as exploring Brown Moss itself, the team visited a restricted byway near Ash Parva with lots of coppiced hazel. Nuts opened by wood mice, bank vole and squirrel were found. Thanks to Malcolm for organising.
Saturday 4th June 2011 - Tetrad Survey in Baggy Moor area
Eight members recorded evidence from eight different mammal species, none of which had previous records for this tetrad. Once again, thanks to Gareth for organising this event.
Saturday 21st May - Badger Watch at Corbet Wood
Two badgers, one a large male, were seen around the sett entrance at about 9.45pm. Thanks to Gareth Parry for leading this.
Saturday 10 July 2010 Tetrad Survey 2.00-6.00pm
Eight members of Shropshire Mammal Group members explored the Weir Coppice and Hook-a-Gate area, including parts of the Rea Brook, looking for mammal signs. Evidence of otter, badger, field vole, rabbit,mole, squirrel and possibly stoat were found before adjourning to The New Inn for some hard-earned liquid refreshment on what had been a very interesting but rather hot afternoon. The evidence was all recorded and will be submitted to John Mackintosh, our County Mammal Recorder.
Many thanks to Clive Dean for organising the expedition.
Earlier in the day, committee members had manned a stand at the BTO garden birdwatch conference held at Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Small mammal survey at Melverley Farm SWT reserve - go to the NEWS page on the
Small Mammals - Field Research Training
This event was held in March 2010.
For more photos and a report on the day by Kate Long please click here to go to her blog and search for Preston to go to the article in the archive.
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