Hedgehogs a-plenty

Yesterday's first Hedgehog of the year has picked up some friends! Last night the feeder received lengthy visits on four separate occasions, at 10:15pm, 1am, 2:20am and 4am! At 10:39pm, the first beat a hasty retreat as the second took it's place at the table:

This little fella had an itch!

First Hedgehog of 2013

I was beginning to wonder whether I would ever see a Hedgehog this Spring, but finally they have put me out of my misery! Last night, at about 10:15pm, a Hedgehog visited our feeder for the first time since November, as recorded on our trailcam:

So nice to see them again! May it be the first of many!

Incidentally, I feed my Hedgehogs Vine House Farm Hedgehog Food; it generally doesn't attract cats and the hedgies love it!

Bat in the logpile

Rescued a female pipistrelle bat today. She was found in a pile of logs and put on top of a nearby shed out of harms way. When she hadn't gone the next day, I received a call and bombed over to pick her up. Since she seemed unhurt, I took her straight to the local bat carer for some R&R. She seemed perky enough, so I thought she was probably just a little dehydrated and hungry. Sadly, however, it transpired that she had a broken wing, so she will not be able to be released back into the wild. Not what we had hoped for, but at least she has the best possible care.

Unexpected visitor

Despite the cold weather of late, my Mum thought she had a Hedgehog visiting her feeder. The muddy marks she found on the patio door, she attributed to their little feet, although they looked more like nose-marks to me. To solve the mystery, I lent her my trailcam and we were both astounded at what we found:

 

Ok, so a Badger isn't rare, but as my Mum said "It was literally the last thing I expected to visit my garden because I didn't think there was anywhere large enough for them to get through." And just to prove it wasn't a one off, here is another shot from two days later:

All that's left now is to work out how they are getting in!

Otter at LCYD part 2

Still there in the afternoon! This photo is courtesy of Val Lewis who was lucky enough to not only see this wonderful creature in the morning, but also to photograph it in the afternoon! Very confiding!

Otter at LCYD

Otter spotted mooching about at Llyn Coed y Dinas Nature Reserve this morning, seen from the hide! (Report from Len Lewis)

Some people have all the luck!

Last call for 2012 records

Having just completed the data entry for all the 2012 records, I will be shortly sending them to BIS (the local record centre). So, whilst I can accept records from any year at any time, if you have any records of mammals in Montgomeryshire in 2012, which have not yet been submitted, please send them to me ASAP. Email - tammy@montwt.co.uk

Many thanks to all those who have sent me records so far! Let's try and record even more mammals in 2013!