5th July 2008

We were looking forward to spend a day searching for scat with the VWT but heavy rain a few days before and on the morning meant that we were not going to find any scat and so we just checked the local boxes in Oakenmoor wood. Despite this we did find one dropping which was collected in the correct way and that will be sent off for DNA analysis ( see Photo).



The most recent scat survey from February 08 found 3 foxes, 2 stoats and 2 otters via DNA. The otters near Alton towers were quite some distance from any water. Thus, DNA is helping us to get extra records even if we did not find any pine martens that time. We hope to try again for another pine marten scat day soon - so watch the forum and those emails. Last but not least we did find a squirrel nest and dead animal in one of the Pine marten boxes (see photo).

2nd July 2008

This evening we checked Dormouse boxes. We tried this last year and had no problems with the event but this year a big black cloud caught us out while we were trying to find the last few boxes in the wood in the dark ( see photo). We managed to find just 1 dormouse there but were pleased to find another male in 40 Acre wood. Some pipistrelle bats were observed once we had left the wood.

21st June 2008

Today we checked Dormouse boxes at Hell wood again. A very wet start made us consider cancelling the check due to slippery conditions but with 14 people and 6 lience holders (a record?!) we decided to go ahead and since we had so many people we were in the wood less time, fell over less, and still managed to find 3 torpid male Dormice. That is not a bad start to the Dormouse year!

17th May 2008

Hi

only a few of us managed to make it up to LM, but we all saw impressive displays by an Osprey of how not to catch fish. The spraint evidence told us that otters were using the area and so we sat in the lower hide as dusk approached. At 10pm one of us saw a wake in the centre of the pool and an otter appeared in rough water, it quickly swam away to the left and through the gap towards the public hide. Sadly, we were able to watch it for about 5 minutes only. We left the hide at about 10.30 but with the surrounding fields lighted by moon light not much was revealed, except being buzzed by bats on the path back. We returned to the hide for 3am and there was just enough light to see wakes on the water - however, they were caused by ducks rather than otters. At 3.45am we noticed a wake by the near left edge; we then saw an otter surface before it moved behind the nearby iris Island. We left the hide to full sun light at 5.30 to watch red and roe deer in the fields.

15th May 2008

Tonight we got together for our Dormouse AGM. As per usual we discussed our Dormouse surveys from the previous year and the plan for future ones. Overall we appear to find a decline in the numbers of Dormice or the number of nests that we find when compared to previous years. However, whether this means a decline in the Dormouse population in general cannot be discerned from our current data. We also discussed the possible inclusion of new sites and we have decided to use some plastic tubes alongside our usual wooden boxes to see which kind of artificial home Dormice prefer. It looks like there are quite a few sites where we will stop carrying out surveys as of the end of this year. This is due to not having found signs of Dormice for several years in those areas. Last but not least we discussed Dormouse Licenses, which one needs in order to be allowed to handle those wonderful mammals. There are many sites to check, so better stop chatting, blogging and the like, put some boots on, grab the gear and get checking. Hoping to see you at one of our events soon. Check out our calendar on the main group website for more information.

07th of May 2008

This evening we met at Tittesworth Water Reservoir. Derek had placed traps in the ground in the hope of catching some moles alive. When digging out the traps, however, we were able to see the evidence of how cunning moles can be. One particular exemplar managed to avoid 4 traps that had been placed along its route. The group then proceeded to a different area on the site to look for evidence of moles in tall grass. We managed to identify a nice sized tunnel system that was impressive in its length and variation of depth. Having used thin sticks to trace the tunnel system we then moved on to listen, identify and catch glimpses of the local bat population. To our surprise we managed to observe a Daubenton's bat in daylight which is rather unusual for this species as they normally do not come out until it has gone dark. All in all a really informative and enjoyable evening.

20th April 2008

Good turn out of 10 on weekend looking first at field signs and seeing water voles at the leisure centre. We then split into smaller groups and checked sites up and down the valley; and although some sites were empty of recent activity others showed evidence of strong populations. Later on we re grouped for feed back and the last group was able to watch a early flight of a bat ( pip) at 4,30pm. Summer is on the way.

16th March 2008: Brown Hare Survey

The group was happy to welcome 2 new members. 7 people came out on the hare survey, and 2 sites were checked. The morning revealed nothing, however, half the group were lucky enough to find 10 hares in the afternoon and some minor boxing was seen.

All in all, a good day was had by all