The Mammal Society’s National Harvest Mouse Survey begins next month and runs until March 2023.
The harvest mouse is Britain’s smallest mammal and the only one with a prehensile tail. It is on Britain’s Red List, which means it is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ but accurate records of their presence in the wild are lacking. Without more information it’s hard to know just how low numbers are or what actions can be put in place to protect it.
Harvest mice build a new nest for every litter they have during the summer months. Once summer is over the empty nests can be searched for without fear of disturbing any occupants. This is the least invasive method of discovering where harvest mice are living.
The survey’s local coordinator for the Tees Valley/North East has told us that Cowbar and the surrounding area is an important area to survey as harvest mice were recorded here sporadically in the 1990s and 2000s. We already know that last winter an owl caught a harvest mouse in the area (see our bird pellet section here). Hopefully that harvest mouse wasn’t the last sole survivor and our surveys will reveal where they spent the summer.
The success of the national survey depends on members of the public taking part. No experience is required as training and support are offered. Full details of what’s involved and how to register your interest are on the Mammal Society’s website or contact us to find out more.
https://www.mammal.org.uk/science-research/harvest-mouse-project/