Event Details:

On Friday 5th April 2024, at 9-10am, we will be conducting a small mammal survey on campus. The meeting point for this will be by Windmill Hill (exact spot TBC). The Warwickshire Mammal Group will be coming to campus to help us out with this survey and will provide the equipment.

Please note: If it is cold and torrential rain, we will not be able to run the survey, as this poses a risk to any mammals in the traps. There are limited spaces so sign up soon!

What is a Small Mammal Survey?

The survey will use Longworth Traps, which will be put out the night before. The traps are humane and all small mammals we find (if we find any) will be released safely.

A Longworth Trap has a nest box area that is filled with hay and food for the animals, plus a small tunnel to entice them into the trap. Once they enter the trap the mammals trigger the door to close and the animal is there until we open the trap in the morning. We ensure there is enough food and bedding so that the animal is warm and fed through the night.

We are conducting more species surveys on campus to gain a greater understanding of the wildlife around us, and as part of this we want to know which small mammals are present.

What can we expect to find?

In this area, the common species found are Woodmouse, Yellow-necked Woodmouse, Field Vole, and Bank Vole. We might find Common Shrew or Pygmy Shrew (latter nearer woodland). There is a small chance we may find a Harvest Mouse (but very unlikely). Some pictures of the mammals we may find are below.

.When we did a survey in 2023, we found mammals in 11/22 of the traps. This included Shrews, Voles and Woodmice! As we are trying a new location on campus, we don't know what we will find or if we will find anything at all - but that is what's exciting!