23rd June 2007: Dormouse check

An extra programme event called by Derek Crawley who oversees these woods for Dormice. Good turn out of 13 people but only one license holder so we generally had to stay close together. Weather threatened rain which luckily never occurred. Nearly 200 boxes across 4 woods were checked in the Loggerheads area - 40 acre and Cowlease being the main ones. Since these woods do have wild populations in them each box gives that thrill of "might contain a dormouse". However, it normally produced an old bird's nest, many of which had dead fledglings in them; a few had wood mice and just 1 box had a dormouse which was in a moss nest. 2 other nests were found but were determined to be old ones.

17th June 2007: Chase water

The group placed some traps, but unfortunately due to the rain there was a low number of mammals out and about. Nonetheless, Common Shrew and Field Vole were found. In the afternoon the group set out deer tracking. There was evidence found of Red deer fawns being left in thick vegetation, with the Mum jumping the fence to feed it. The group did not look for the fawn as it would cause disturbance. Not to worry though, this is quite a normal thing for red deer to do with their fawns!

6th June 2007: Dormouse check

An excellent turnout at Loggerheads, Burntacres Wood, to check the dormouse boxes there. Unfortunately the dormice were not at home and we did not find any. A number of blue-tit nests were found, however, this year most of them contained dead fledglings which was very sad. On the bright side one box did contain a clutch of live fledglings, who did look rather confused when the roof was opened!

nobody home :(