Home / Local groups / Groups bulletin board

Local Groups Network bulletin board

Watch this space for updates and opportunities for - and from - the local mammal group network, including news, events, training, resources, officer recruitment and funding opportunities.

Key Local Group Resources

11/12/24 - Nationwide

Call for Collaboration: Help Advance Harvest Mouse Conservation with Environmental DNA Research

We’ve been asked to share the below message with our Local Groups Network, if you can help Julie please email localgroups@themammalsociety.org and we’ll put you in touch!

My name is Dr Julie Jones-Diette and I am working on a research project on Harvest mouse conservation in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham. I am running a study to investigate the use of environmental DNA to assess biodiversity and ecology in small mammal populations. Environmental DNA is a novel method of small mammal population survey, and it is hoped will lead to improved methods for monitoring small mammals in the UK. My study will look for DNA in the reedbed environment using water samples with a specific focus on locating the DNA of the UK Harvest mouse from faecal samples left in the water. 

I am keen to identify a number of positive sites where evidence from other survey methods (capture - release studies and nest site survey) suggest Harvest mouse populations are present and where I can join the survey team to collect samples from the environmental for assessment of eDNA (water samples) as a comparison method. As the surveys are currently ongoing for the Harvest Mouse this is the perfect time to join the groups who may be trapping and work alongside them. 

I do hope you are able to assist me, owing to the seasonal ecology of the harvest mouse this work is quite time critical and we only have until March to collect the samples.

07/11/2024 - Nationwide

Upcoming trainings, free for Local Groups!

We’ve got a number of webinars coming up which may be of interest to Local Group members! Local Group members can book a free ticket for these events using the code "LocalGroupDiscount"

Introduction to Small Mammal Identification and Ecology with Derek Crawley (20th November, 7-8.30pm) book here.

Practical Techniques for Monitoring Small Mammals: Trapping with Longworths with Derek Crawley (27th November, 7-8.30) book here.

An Introduction to Mammal Tracking and Cybertracker with John Rhyder (3rd December, 6-7.30pm) book here.

Establishing a Local Mammal Group (an introductory webinar so anyone looking to start a new group) (4th December, 6pm) book here.

Next Local Groups Forum: 24th October, 6pm

Register for your free place

Join us at our next forum on acoustic mammal monitoring on Thursday 24th October at 6pm. We’ll have Paul Howden-Leach from Wildlife Acoustics joining us to give an introduction to the technicalities of acoustic monitoring and answer any mammal-related questions. We invite you to think about the following: how is your group incorporating acoustic monitoring, how does acoustic monitoring help in identifying species and understanding their behaviours, what tools or software do you find most helpful, what technical challenges have you encountered, case studies or success stories where acoustic monitoring helped, and anything else you want to discuss relevant to acoustic monitoring in your county.

A write-up of the last forum on beavers can be accessed here.

06/09/2024

Free local group tickets for Mammal Society’s Annual Conference 2025

Where? Bangor, North Wales

When? 28th-29th March 2025

Every registered local group is entitled to a free ticket and the opportunity to showcase your work in the conference marketplace. Register for your free local group ticket here. Further support to cover costs of accommodation and travel can be requested via our bursary fund. Please also consider if you have a project you’d like to present on, and submit an abstract if you do. We’d love to showcase the work of local groups.

More info

06/09/2024 - Nationwide

Call for otter spraint donations

Cornwall mammal group is collaborating with Susanna Ramsey, the author and photographer behind the recent owl pellet analysis guide, to create a similar guide to aid with the analysis of otter spraint.

Samples of spraint from around the country would be valuable to help us build a comprehensive photographic guide. If you come across substantially sized samples (old and dry is fine as it requires less cleaning!) please send to Freepost MammalSoc in a sealed plastic bag accompanied by location and date of collection. If you are able to clean it before posting that is appreciated but not essential.

To clean spraint, soak in a strong solution (roughly a teaspoon in 100ml) of Biotex or equivalent biological detergent for a couple of hours then rinse in a plastic sieve or tea strainer. Drain and then turn out onto clean kitchen roll to dry overnight.

06/09/2024 - Nationwide

Get Ready For Harvest Mouse Survey Season!

In preparation for the start of the 2024-25 harvest mouse survey season, the Mammal Society will be running online and in-person trainings in survey techniques. If you would like to hold a training in your area and require a trainer, or some materials and guidance to support a training run by a group member, or just support to promote your training, please get in touch via localgroups@themammalsociety.org.

11/07/2024 - Nationwide

Risk Assessment and Safeguarding Training for Local Mammal Groups

Thursday 18th July 2024, 6pm-7pm

Join us for a free training session designed specifically for our Local Mammal Groups. Led by Matt Larsen-Daw, CEO of the Mammal Society, this webinar will provide essential support and guidance on conducting risk assessments and addressing safeguarding issues. These skills are crucial for creating a safe and supportive environment at local mammal group meetings, fieldwork activities and events.

In this session, you'll have the opportunity to discuss and ask questions, ensuring you leave with the knowledge and confidence to implement effective safety measures. While the main session will be recorded for future reference, there will be an unrecorded question period at the end for discussing sensitive matters. Don't miss this chance to enhance your group's safety practices with expert advice.

Book your free place here

11/07/2024 - Nationwide

Equipment Loan Scheme Now Live!

Small mammal traps, bioacoustic monitoring kit, trailcams and more can be borrowed from the Mammal Society at no cost to enable your local surveying efforts. Equipment is covered by Mammal Society insurance and delivered to your group by courier. We ask that you keep equipment for as short a time as required to deliver your plans, and return it clean (sanitised where necessary) and well packaged.

To browse equipment, check availability and download a loan request form click here.

11/07/2024 - Nationwide

Claim your free copy of our new barn owl pellet dissection guide!

Our new photographic guide to the bones of small mammals in owl pellets by Susanna J Ramsey and Derek Crawley is now available from NHBS as a high quality A4 wiro-bound workshop resource, or as a free digital download from our Publication pages.

All registered Local Groups seeking to add to small mammal records in their area via owl pellet dissection, or contributing to our Searching For Shrews project, are able to claim a free copy of this invaluable resource. To claim, simply email localgroups@themammalsociety.org with a delivery address. One copy per local group.

02/03/2024 - NW Scotland

The North West Scotland Mammal Network held a community engagement event on Saturday 3rd March in Aultbea, NW Scotland, to generate awareness and interest in local mammals, and to dissect some local barn owl pellets to contribute data to the Searching For Shrews project. No Greater white-toothed shrews detected - just voles and one pygmy shrew. Much fun had by all, and a chocolate hedgehog cake was enthusiastically consumed!