Mammals

Common Vole - Microtus arvalis

 This is a very common species, to be found in all types of grassland habitats.  It is a very stout creature with a short, slightly bushy tail.  Can be confused with the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), overlapping in size and colouration.

Eurasian Shrew - Sorex araneus

 A small insectivore (eats insects) with a voracious appetite, it must eat 80-90% of its body weight every 24hrs in order to survive.  It has a long snout and its colour fades from dark brown on the back to lighter brown on the flanks and grey underneath.

Eurasian Water Shrew - Neomys fodiens

Similar in size and habit to the eurasian shrew (above), this species has obvious demarcation between the slate grey on top and the whitish grey underneath.  It is an adaptable species that can feed on land as well as under water and so can also survive in damp woodland.

Otter - Lutra lutra

Looking for tracks and signs of animals is often the best way to detect their presence.  This is certainly the case for many nocturnal species, such as the otter.  These prints were found near the edge of the lake and were fresh from the night before.  Areas where prints may be left occur naturally in damp places, it is possible, however, to use a layer of damp sand to the same effect.  Other signs of an animals presence include tracks through grassland, entrances to underground dens (earths, setts, warrens etc), faeces, odour, hair or fur, food remains and many more.

Some other species common throughout the farm are listed below:

Badger - Meles meles

Fox - Vulpes vulpes

Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus

Grey Squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis

Brown/Common Rat - Rattus norvegicus

Mole - Talpa europaea

Stoat - Mustela erminea (occasional)

Weasel - Mustela nivalis (occasional)

Polecat - Mustela putorius (occasional)