19th August 2007: Deep Hayes Country Park

This was a mammal group meeting of extremes - an extreme catch rate in the morning, and extreme weather in the afternoon. 12 people met at Deep Hayes Park in nice, dry conditions. They then checked the 40 traps which had been put out the night before. Amazingly 31 traps had visitors! The majority were wood mice (22) mostly male. 9 Bank voles were found and 1 common shrew. The strangest find of the morning was that one trap had two occupants, a wood mouse and bank vole. The ranger informed us of possible roe deer sightings, so the group set out looking for them. However, the heavens opened, so very few field signs were visible, and no deer paths were found either. The soaking wet group returned home to dry off! The habitat in the park appears to be good for harvest mice, so a return trip in the winter will be beneficial.