Roe Deer by the Pond
The Reserve has a wide range of mammals, but these are not always easily seen. Mole hills are unlikely to be missed as you walk from the Visitor's Centre across the meadow, but the chances of actually seeing a mole are quite remote. The bank vole is also quite a shy animal, although in as far as it does not hide mole-like under the ground, you stand a rather better chance of spotting one. Some of the rabbits and foxes are rather bolder when in comes to humans, and indeed foxes seem to have quite a curiosity concerning human visitors and may well stop to have a look at you rather than instantly turning tail. Even roe deer can be quite curious, but are certainly also rather timid. Walking quietly along the ride at the top of the reserve is a good way of seeing deer.
Here is a brief look at some of the animals you may see around the Reserve. Do let us or the Wardens know if you spot something unusual.
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Here is a bank vole. It is reddish-brown on top, dark grey on its sides and has pale grey undersides. It is most common in hedgerows and woodland. The bank vole is a good climber, digs its own burrows, and mainly nests under logs. Its diet is chiefly of seeds, berries, nuts and roots and it is widespread in Great Britain, Europe and Southern Ireland. The bank vole does not hibernate and is equally active during day and night-time. This tiny mouse-like mammal can often be seen on the Warnham Reserve. It lives up to three years. The litters are of up to four a year, three to six young are born naked and helpless, but are mature by about five weeks. |
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Rabbits are a common sight at the Reserve. Often you can
see them in the meadow. Not all rabbits live in burrows, particularly
following the ravages of myxomatosis and in fact living above ground in
warrens provides some protection from this disease. Even so, evidence
of rabbit burrowing can frequently be seen in the wooded areas of the
Reserve.
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Fox |
| Probably the fox requires little introduction with its long held reputation for craftiness and its frequent sightings in urban areas. It feeds mostly on small mammals, insects, fruit and berries as well as killing livestock, although it is not averse to easy pickings from urban dustbins and the odd discarded MacDonald's burger. It is found all over Europe from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia. The lifespan is as long as ten years, and it has single annual litters of four to six cubs which are blind and helpless at birth. They make their dens amongst tree-roots or in other sheltered places such as old badger setts. Foxes do not hibernate, but are active throughout winter. |
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