Mammal Notes

Because badgers spend time underground and forage in forested areas where unobstructed views of satellites are not possible, two approaches to obtaining location fixes from GPS collars were tested. Success in obtaining fixes was significantly higher with sampling intervals of 5 minutes (79%) than with sampling intervals of 60 minutes (50%).

A standardised method for monitoring hedgehogs was tested at 30 sites in the UK. Surveyors carried out transects using hand held torches. 97 surveys were carried out and hedgehogs detected on 14.

Records of stoats and weasels are shown to be rare in archaeological faunas in Britain and their absence from Mesolithic records may be a consequence of this. The co-occurrence of lemmings and stoats at some sites suggests an early arrival and native status for the species rather than introduction by humans.

Data from a four-year study of common dormice were analysed to see if they preferred nest boxes or nest tubes. Boxes were spaced at 30m, with two tubes between each, 10m apart, along a road and on the central reservation (100 boxes, 200 tubes).

Badgers were observed to eat the fruits of yew trees in Kew Gardens, London. The leaves and seeds of yew contain toxic alkaloids. Seeds in badger faeces were tested for the presence of these which were found at similar concentrations to those of uneaten seeds. It was concluded that badgers can safely eat yew ’berries’ because the toxic seeds are not digested.

In the UK, road casualties are considered to be a significant mortality factor for badgers. Ireland is unusual in having a very high number of small rural roads with low traffic densities and low speeds.