2010 record collating time

No, I am not cataloguing my record collection! At the beginning of each year, a local recorders first task is to ensure that all of the previous years biological records are safely in the database, before sending an update to the local record centre.

So, January and February finds me inputting & verifying records from all my merry mammal recorders.  If you have spotted any mammals in Montgomeryshire in 2010, now is the time to send your sightings to me!

If you are not sure what information I need, check out the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust's biological recording page.

Send me your records, or the Water Vole 'gets it'!

From one blog to another!

Check out the lovely photograph of a Brown Hare on the Montgomery Bird Blog, taken at the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust's Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve; the best place I know (in the area) to see hares!

Molehill spotting

Winter is a tough time for many of our mammals and moles are no exception. They remain active throughout the year, but their prey (mainly earthworms) move deeper as it gets colder, forcing our industrious diggers to extend their tunnel networks to find enough food. It is for this reason that so many molehills pop up during the winter and with the snow melting, now is the perfect time to spot these unmistakeable signs.

Mammal tracks

I discovered what I think were otter tracks and a spraint in the snow on the banks of the river Dulas (south) close to my home near Aberhosan. I also found fox and 'other' mammal tracks (hare, rabbit?) in the snow on a woodland walk. I thought at one stage I had found the tracks of a big cat! But what it was I think (hope!) were badger tracks whereby the fore and hind leg paw prints were superimposed on top of each other and showing claw marks making the tracks appear as if they were from a larger animal.

The depicted images show the frozen river Dulas .The otter tracks/spraint were located on the bit of snow at the bottom right of the river shot. There was also fresh spraint deposited on top of fallen snow on a rock lower downriver. This mid stream rock is a regular sprainting site.

Its interesting what was said about possible deer tracks discovered at Cors Dyfi I don't know if you were joking or what but do you know I wouldn't mind betting that there are the odd Roe Deer in Montgomeryshire!

Tracks a plenty at Cors Dyfi

(Report from the Dyfi Osprey Project) A quick visit to the reserve today revealed otter tracks EVERYWHERE! Also fox, badger, stoat, weasel, lots of tiny little shrew sized prints and something that looked like deer footprints but can't believe there are any deer in the area....maybe Santa stopped by with his sleigh.....

Get tracking

With all the fresh snow which has fallen across the area today, there is no better time to track down mammals.  Keep your eyes peeled for tracks left behind as our furry friends try to eke out an existence during these trying times.