On Friday the 5th of April 2024, we conducted our second ever small mammal survey on campus. Warwickshire Mammal Group kindly came to campus and ran this survey for us. We conduct these surveys to gather data about the wildlife that we have on campus and to engage staff and students with the environment around them. This survey took place around the edge of windmill hill, by the Sports and Wellness Hub.

Out of the 22 Longworth Traps that were put out, 13 of them had mammals in! We found 13 wood mice - consisting of 8 males and 5 females. This survey therefore had a higher success rate than the small mammal survey in October 2023, but a lower variety of species.

A Longworth Trap is humane and 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 hope that everyone who came along enjoyed themselves.

If you would like to learn more about Warwickshire Mammal Group or get involved with the work that they do, you can access their webpage here.