Small mammals of Gatwick

Recently published research by the Mammal Society has revealed some very worrying news; the UK's small mammals are not faring as well as we thought. Species previously not known to be at risk, including Weasels, Stoats and even our seemingly ubiquitous voles and shrews, are suffering long-term declines and are in need of conservation action. It is now estimated that 1 in 4 species in the UK are in real danger from extinction.

We have known for decades that UK landscapes are highly pressured, nature-depleted places in which to live, but the scale of the problem is still coming to light. Small mammals are important, and usually abundant, parts of natural ecosystems. Their loss will impact our habitat dynamics, ecosystem stability and populations of other wildlife which depend on them. 

Publication by the Mammal Society

Intensive management or development of land leading to the disappearance of long, naturalistic areas of vegetation which these species need has taken its toll. We are fortunate that buffer land around an airport can provide resources for a wide range of small mammals: Harvest Mice, Hazel Dormice, Weasels, Stoats, Common and Pygmy Shrews, Field and Bank Voles, Yellow-necked and Wood Mice have all been confirmed on our sites. We have also identified opportunities outside of these areas, with a new road-verge management regime providing those all important long-grass areas.

I have been playing with some new lens attachments for trail cameras, targeting better close-ups of small wildlife. I set up a Browning trail camera on an old log pile within our best scrub and grassland, which looked to be a hub of activity due to all the niches and crevices. It is always fascinating to observe different species interacting with each other. After trawling through a lot of footage, the results are in; I can officially and scientifically state that all small mammal species are Very Cute.

If you happen to own or manage a very manicured piece of grassland, then perhaps think about setting aside some longer grass areas, particularly at the base of shrubs, trees and hedgerows. You could just mow your patch once a year in early spring, before the wildflower species get going. Collecting up the cuttings and leaving in a pile in a corner is very beneficial to insects, mammals and reptiles too.

Thanks for reading... here are a few Gatwick Bank Voles, mice and shrews for your enjoyment.

December Summary

 

Veteran oak tree, Land East of the Railway Line

It feels like we have packed an incredible amount into December. Winter provides us with only a short window for cracking on with habitat management and it is a race to complete these jobs before the spring wildlife starts waking up again. With the incredible amount of wet weather resulting in Gatwick's rivers and streams flooding out, this will be no mean task
   Earlier this month, conservation work started with JS Agriculture and Gatwick Greenspace Partnership working together in the North West Zone. We coppiced the willows and scrub on a grassy slope which was becoming over shaded.

Coppicing willows on the grassy slope

Gatwick's ranger Tom S then improvised by staking the cut wood into habitat piles half-way up the slope, providing cover for wee beasties but leaving the wet grassland clear of debris at the bottom.

Scott finishing up our hibernacula in the Scrub West of Brockley Wood

More recently, Scott T did a grand job of moving some logs and tree stumps onto the new hibernacula in Scrub West of Brockley Wood. Sometimes I wish I could be trained to use a digger, but then with great power comes great responsibility and I can get a little power hungry.

Another completed hibernaculum - not pretty but perfect for invertebrates, reptiles and other wildlife

Our regular group of British Airways Engineers (BAE) definitely have a pact with the weatherman; on a revoltingly sunny day in mid-December, they were led by Gatwick Greenspace Partnership (GGP) on a woodland conservation task. They bridged the ditch on the main path into Brockley Wood, improving access for future work, also removing the old barbed wire, plastic tree guards and some litter. Because they can smash out these jobs in record time, I barely got any photo opportunities...

BAE installing a footbridge, East of Brockley Wood

Railway sleeper footbridge

BAE and Gatwick Greenspace Partnership

As part of the National Harvest Mouse Survey by the Mammal Society, volunteers Rachael, Sue and me carried out some nest searches along the River Mole. We had a successful haul with 4 nests on single transect along a path in the grasslands. This helps inform us where to carry out further mammal surveys in the coming year.

Well-hidden: a ball of woven grass hidden in a large tussock

A rather large Harvest Mouse nest constructed of Cock's Foot grass. 

It was probably used as a breeding nest earlier this year

While carrying out these searches, we were lucky enough to be serenaded by a very loud Water Rail. This wading bird turned up in our winter bird survey last year but eluded us on our most recent one. It still counts though as an individual record and will be added to Gatwick's species database. I think they sound a bit like excitable piglets.

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus). The RSPB

We completed our final early winter bird survey this month in the Land East of the Railway Line. The pace has really picked up with thrushes - mixed flocks of Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and Blackbird are abound, testing our identification skills.

Recording on our Winter Bird survey

Goat Meadow's mug-holder tree. Sadly no coffee was left in them... Mean dog walkers.

Tom F in the scrub, deep in conversation with a flock of Redwing

Looking ahead to January and February, there is an incredible amount to do and we are going to need all the volunteer help we can get. My to do list will probably keep on growing, but I seem to be running out of whiteboard...

*gulp*

Tom S is planning some conservation taster days in the New Year, so if you want to find out whether all this 'getting-back-to-nature' stuff is overrated, drop Tom a line at thomassimpson@sussexwt.org.uk or learn more here about Gatwick Greenspace Partnership and their work.

River Mole culvert, North West Zone after recent heavy rains

A massive, massive thank you to all who have been involved this past year, you have helped make this a brilliant project to work on. We hope to see you again in 2014!