The lowland heath environment is not a suitable habitat
to support many species of UK mammal. The dwarf vegetation does not provide
enough cover, the food supply is limited, and free-draining soil makes
the conditions too dry. Lowland heath is typically inhabited by underground
dwellers like foxes and rabbits due to the lack of suitable cover. Badgers
are absent from the heath because they are unable to build their homes
in the sandy soils.
Other mammals include shrews and short-tailed voles who live in the grass.
Deer are quite often seen grazing on heathland, but only in areas where
woodland is nearby for them to seek cover.
Mammal Watch
There are wild animals all around you. Most of the mammals of Britain
are small and can hide easily. Squirrels are easy to spot as you will
see them escaping up a tree and fieldmice, voles and shrews are likely
to be seen in wild places. Bats are easy to spot in the summer at dusk
as they fly to and fro looking for insects.
How to Look
Try to avoid wearing bright colours and take a note-pad and pencil with
you - you can then make notes on the spot and sketches are always useful
if you are unsure as to what it is you have seen. If you stand still -
look and listen, small mammals will not be able to see you as their eyesight
is not very good.
Nature Detective
If you do not see any mammals look for signs of them. Being a nature detective
is exciting and fun! Look for droppings, holes in the ground dug by rabbits
or foxes, empty nut shells left by squirrels, remains of dinner left by
a disturbed fox...
Tracks & Trails
Mammals are often shy or a nocturnal creatures, which means you, may not
see them. Instead you may need to look for signs that they either live
or have passed through an area.
Signs of mammals can be found on or close to the ground but also look
for nests. Mammals often take the same route, which can lead to trails,
well worn paths on which you may find droppings, footprints and burrows.
Burrows and Nests
Mammals often build little refuges, which they use
during the breeding season for raising their young, or in the winter to
provide protection from the harsh weather. Nests will be found in grass,
shrubs or trees and burrows are found belowground. Other signs of the
mammal should be visible near the burrow or nest.
Feed Remains
Some examples of remains of a meal include the remnants
of nuts or stripped fur cones: feather or fur indicating the remains of
a kill. Other evidence such as tracks and droppings need to be examined
usually to determine what kind of animal you are searching for.
Scroll down to see the tracks of the Coversand's
mammals
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