Apodemus sylvaticus
- The wood mouse is sometimes known as the long-tailed field mouse. The earliest remains of wood mice found date to the Stone Age, 7600 years ago.
- These mice live all over the grassland at Cowbar. They burrow tunnels through the grass mat and the entrances to their burrow can be spotted all over the cliff top.
- They can produce up to six litters a year of four to eight young and even breed in the winter if there is plenty of food.
- They are preyed on by cats, foxes and owls, including the Cowbar Barn Owls.
Wood mice are susceptible to pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, and to the burning of straw. A decline in wood mice numbers can affect predator numbers, especially owls. Tawny owls will breed less if there is a shortage of mice.
