Strange sound from Yellow-neck

Whilst checking the dormouse nest boxes at Coed Pendugwm Nature Reserve the other day, I found two Yellow-necked Mice in one box, one male and one female. Once in the bag, the female constantly made a sound which I have never heard any mouse make before.

I'm guessing it was a response to the stress, maybe even a warning to stay away. I would be interested to know whether anyone else has heard something similar.

Dormice at Dolforwyn

A day of checking dormouse nest boxes today, with licensed handler, Nick Young. First we checked the one hundred boxes which were erected at Dolforwyn Woods in July. This is the first time these boxes have been checked and so we were delighted to find that two boxes contained unoccupied dormouse nests. This is a new record for the site; great news!

Nick and I then moved on to Coed Pendugwm where dormice were re-discovered last month after an absence of nine years! Two unoccupied nests were also found here.

It was a shame that we didn't get to see any actual dormice, but it is getting a little late in the year now, as they will be thinking about going in to hibernation. Checking the dormouse boxes will recommence in April (licence permitting) and I'm hopeful we may have even more success next year.