The interesting thing about recording mammals is that you do not necessarily have to see live animals to record their presence. Your powers of detection can be utilised to look for such things as droppings or latrines, footprints, trails, feeding sites, food remains, snagged or moulted fur, dens, burrows and scratching posts. Many of these signs are sufficiently distinctive as to allow recording of a particular species. Also many larger mammals have clearly recognisable calls, such as the mating calls of
foxes or the barking of
muntjac deer.
Domestic cats will often bring in small mammals they have caught for your inspection (not necessarily whole but nonetheless identifiable!) and unfortunately many mammals become victims to road traffic. It may be easier to gain records of nocturnal mammals such as
hedgehogs and
badgers from road kills than by live observation. Records of dead individuals are just as useful as those of live animals.
Equipment
Most mammals can be adequately surveyed using a combination of simple observational techniques for which nothing more than patience, a pair of binoculars and a good field guide are required. However, to survey bats properly, you will require specialist electronic detectors to record their species-specific high-pitched calls, and in some cases a bat licence.
It makes sense to use your senses
Due to a long history of persecution, most mammals are shy and easily disturbed. Developing the skills to get close to wild mammals is challenging but rewarding:
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Many mammals have a highly developed sense of smell – approach where possible from down wind so that your scent is masked.
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Develop your tracking skills – look for runs and trails as many mammals follow regular pathways along which you may find droppings or snagged hairs.
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Use your ears – many mammals have distinctive calls at certain times of the year (for example, rutting deer in the autumn). You can purchase CDs of mammal calls to teach yourself to recognise mammal sounds.
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Stalking – learn to move quietly and avoid clothing that rustles as you move.
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Patience – a key skill is sitting, waiting and watching. After a while animals will accept you as part of the scenery and resume their normal activity if you remain motionless.
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Use your car – a car is effectively a mobile hide and many mammals seem to be completely undisturbed by the presence of a parked car.
Have you seen…?
Many mammal species have declined in the UK. Any observations of the following Biodiversity Action Plan species have great value:
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Water vole
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Red squirrel
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Otter
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Harvest mouse
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Hedgehog
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Harbour porpoise
Send your records to:
Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS)
Environment, Transport and Development
County Hall,
Martineau Lane,
Norwich,
NR1 2SG
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
NBIS