November 2008

Overall survey results for all areas covered on the 20th-21st November, and the 27th-28th November, totals are made up from the best counts for each species within the different locations surveyed, also which species were found within the numbered traps giving an overall total, (i.e if a Wood Mouse was caught in the same trap twice this would count as only one record).

Total Altogether:

40 Wood Mouse (best count of 16 at the bottom lake).

8 Bank Voles (best count of 4 at the bottom lake).

2 Field Voles (1 at the bottom and 1 at the top lake).

2 Water Shrews (both present at the bottom lake).

An overall report suggests a good stronghold for Wood Mouse in the surveyed areas, a little surprising was the small amount of Bank Voles present. Of interest there was a dead Yellow-necked Mouse at the top lake (not in trap).

Friday 28th November

A total of 10 Traps were set overnight in the walled garden for the following morning, results are as follows:

7 Wood Mouse

A total of 15 Traps were set overnight in the house & woodland area for the following morning, results are as follows:

9 Wood Mouse

1 Bank Vole

Thursday 27th November

There was one afternoon session today with 25 traps at the top lake which produced:

2 Wood Mouse

1 Bank Vole

There was one afternoon session today with 25 traps at the bottom lake which produced:

2 Water Shrews

4 Bank Voles

1 Field Vole

7 Wood Mouse

Friday 21st November

A total of 25 Traps were set overnight at the bottom lake for the following morning, results are as follows:

16 Wood Mouse

1 Bank Vole

1 Field Vole

Another 25 were set overnight at the top lake, results are as follows:

8 Wood Mouse

3 Bank Voles

1 Field Vole

One afternoon session was carried out within both locations which produced

2 Bank Voles (bottom lake)

3 Wood Mouse (top lake)

Thursday 20th November

A one hour mammal survey was carried out early afternoon at the bottom lake, results are as follows:

2 Bank Voles, with 1 Bank Vole and 2 Wood Mouse at the top lake late afternoon.

October 2008

Thursday 9th October

A Wood Mouse found at the bottom lake this morning.

September 2008

Thursday 25th September

Unfortunately today we had our first case of miximotosis for a little while with at least 2 rabbits with the disease in the walled garden. The disease is spread by flies and fleas, and can be a big killer of rabbits.

August 2008

Thursday 21st August

A bat survey was carried out for the first time this evening, information and results regarding this will follow shortly, also a rare bat species to Kent the Leisler's Bat, (see photo's) was found at a private site by our two bat surveyors, it was brought to Beachborough Park to be looked after for the evening whilst the surveys commenced.

Bat Survey Results

A walkover survey of Beachborough Park Estate was undertaken by two experienced licensed bat workers using Batbox Duet bat detectors on the evening of 21st August 2008.

Initially during daylight the residential complex of buildings was checked visually for signs of bat roosts. Although no signs such as droppings or staining were found potential roost access points within the building were noted. The survey commenced twenty minutes before sunset with effort concentrated on the previously noted potential roost sites. No bats were seen emerging or pre-emergence chatter heard. However single Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) were seen and recorded on detector feeding shortly after sunset. The walled garden and the pond area were particularly favoured. By late August maternity roosts would be dispersing with females moving to maternity roosts. No conclusion could be reached regarding the use of buildings by this species as maternity roosts. The early evening sightings of feeding Common Pipistrelle would indicate the bat's use of the buildings as roost sites but at this date the roosts are likely to be in small terms of numbers of bats and may be male. In order to determine use as maternity roosts surveys would need to be undertaken in June.

The fishing lake and upper temple lake were identified as good potential bat feeding areas, the pasture and woodland edge habitat were also thought to be potential feeding areas for the larger bat species e.g Serotine (Eptesicus serotinus), and Noctule (Nyctalus noctula). Unfortunately on this occasion neither of the larger bat species were recorded.

The upper lake is enclosed by mature trees. Several Common Pipistrelle were recorded feeding at this site. The most productive site, as expected was the fishing lake complex. here two pipistrelle species Common and Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrelle pygmaeus) were seen and recorded on detector. both were noted to be using the lake for feeding especially in the lee of the scrub shelter belt. As expected the Soprano Pipistrelle were more numerous. Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii) were visualised in the spotlight and heard on detector flying and feeding close to the lake surface.

In order to fully investigate bat use of this extensive Local Wildlife Site bat surveys would need to be undertaken on a regular basis throughout the year from April-September. I am sure other species would be recorded and roosts of the other species already recorded in this brief survey found.

Many Thanks to John Puckett & Hazel Ryan for their time conducting this bat survey and for their overall survey report.

Monday 11th August

There was a Wood Mouse found by the tool shed this afternoon.

June 2008

Monday 2nd June

The Black Rabbit was still present on the MOD pasture land, with at least 145 rabbits also recorded.

May 2008

Friday 30th May

Of interest today was the sighting of a wild Black Rabbit certainly quite at home feeding alongside the local rabbit population. This is the first one I have ever seen in the wild.