Today's mammal signs

Well used, fresh Badger latrine found in Dolforwyn Woods today and lots of fresh Otter spraint adorning a riverside tree at Llandinam Gravels. Plenty of molehills at Llandinam too. You've gotta love the glamorous side of being a mammalogist!

Bank Vole @ LCyD

At least 2 seen from the right hand side of the hide at the M.W.T reserve this morning.

Roe Deer @ Ceri Forest

3 seen together at SO165861 early this morning.

Weasel @ Llanllwchaiarn

1 seen this afternoon by the sewage works.

100 new homes

An enjoyable day with seven super people and lovely weather! Today we erected 100 new dormouse nest boxes at Coed Pendugwm Nature Reserve. Fingers crossed that these fabulous Montgomeryshire residents appreciate their new homes when they awake from hibernation in April/May. Watch this space!...

Find something new in 2012

No, you are not imagining it! This is not a strange new species of mammal, but it is a perfect illustration of how important it is to report your sightings!

This is a Lunar Hornet Moth, spotted by my partner, Kevin and I in July. At first we did not know what it was, only that it didn't look quite like a hornet! When we looked it up later, we found out what it was and I entered it into my moth database, thinking not much more of it, as it was listed in my book as 'resident and common'.

At the start of this year, I sent my moth records to Peter Williams, the county moth recorder and he quickly responded asking for clarification regarding my sighting, as this species was considered extinct in the county! On examination of the photo, he confirmed that it was indeed a Lunar Hornet Moth, the first county record in at least 50 years!

What's the point of this story, you may ask? Well, the adults of this species are rarely seen, as they aren't attracted in any of the normal ways. Rather than being rare in the county, it's likely that they are simply under-recorded.

So, the moral of this story is to keep your eyes peeled and more importantly report your sightings, as you never know when you might find something new or unusual. Remember the three essential items for a record: DATE, SPECIES & LOCATION; the most useful format for the latter is British National Grid reference and there has never been an easier time to get a grid reference, as there are plenty of websites which can provide one for you - try this one: Grab a Grid Reference.

Hare @ Llyn Hir

3 seen this evening. A Badger was also seen at Rhiwhiriath (not sure on the spelling on that one sorry!!).