House Mouse, Pontrobert

When our heating broke down just after Christmas, the last thing I expected was that mice were to blame. Sure, we'd had an investation of mice in the shed (where the boiler lives) for a few months, as evidenced by their numerous droppings, the smell of urine and some chewed items. I hadn't quite got round to trapping them out, but part of me also didn't mind, as long as they stayed in the shed and didn't do any damage. However, the problem with the boiler brought the issue to a head... the mice had out-stayed their welcome and had to go!

Last night, I put two (live) traps in the shed and two hours later, I had a mouse in each. Before I went to bed, the total had gone up to three.

I was pleased to catch some so quickly and then I was intrigued - the furries I had caught were House Mice! This may not strike you as odd, but the House Mouse (Mus domesticus) is an uncommon species in Montgomeryshire! The mouse typically found in our rural homes is the Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) or occasionally for those in the east of the vice county, the Yellow-necked Mouse (Apodemus flavicollis).

There are only eight records for House Mouse in Montgomeryshire (five since 2000), all of which are in the east; this new record is the furthest west ever recorded!

So how do I know this is a House Mouse? It has smaller eyes and smaller ears than the other two species, but unless you are used to seeing them or have them side by side this is unlikely to be helpful! I think the easiest way of recognising a House Mouse is to think 'tiny rat' - their tails have a scaly look and they appear to be a uniform colour (typically grey-brown) all over.

Best mammaling day ever!

Ran a woodland mammal workshop today for Dyfi Woodlands, near Machynlleth. I set six longworth small mammal traps last night and was delighted to catch four Wood Mice; two male, two female. One of the participants then set one trap and barely two hours later, a male Bank Vole was captured!

We then looked for nibbled nuts and several people discovered a remarkable number which had been nibbled by dormice!!

But the real icing on the cake was saved 'til last! A search along the stream revealed two otter spraints and whilst we were admiring one, we spotted an otter making his way towards us!!! Despite being upwind and talking loudly, he didn't notice us until the last minute, probably because the noise of the stream here was considerable. A really special moment which none of us will ever forget!

On arriving home, I persuaded the other half to go for a walk and on the way back I spotted a Stoat!

What a lucky day!