North East Scotland Mammal Network
Celebrating North East Scotland's wild mammals
Category: Uncategorized
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Mammals in February
Late winter is often a time for snow, which means that snow is a sign of spring. It refills rivers and inspires a range of sports. But now, as food grows scarcer, many mammals are facing harsh and risky conditions. For some, though, February is a month of opportunity. Pine Marten A pine marten Martes…
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Twenty-six species and counting – recording mammals at Red Moss of Netherley
When we took on the volunteer convenor role for the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve at Red Moss of Netherley, in 2010, the site’s mammal list stood at three species; Fox, Badger and Roe Deer. Over the following 16 years, through a range of direct observation, camera trapping and bioacoustics, the list has grown to a…
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Mammals in January
There’s a tradition that winter begins at the solstice, confusingly often called ‘midwinter’. But whenever we think winter begins, January is usually when the snow comes. It’s also the time when certain mammals start to prepare for spring. Roe Deer Male roe deer Capreolus capreolus have now shed their antlers, usually by the end of…
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What to do when encountering injured or abandoned wildlife
If you find an injured or apparently orphaned wild animal, your first instinct may be to intervene immediately. While this response is entirely understandable, acting without advice can sometimes do more harm than good. The most important first step is to pause, assess the situation from a safe distance, and contact a wildlife rescue centre…
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Mammals in December
Frost and snow aren’t as common with us as they used to be. But the mammals’ adaptations to winter remain, and will protect them in case of a prolonged frost. Besides, up on the Cairngorms plateau the conditions may be as harsh today as they ever were in times past. Meanwhile in more sheltered spots,…
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Mammals in November
For mammals that don’t hibernate, this month brings changes. New activity patterns arise. Some animals grow a white coat and adapt to the chance of snow in other ways. Some species already seem to be looking towards spring. Harvest Mouse Harvest mice (Micromys minutus) may have been under-recorded in the north-east. The Mammal Society ran…
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Tracks and Signs at Crathes Castle
Nine members of the North East Scotland Mammal Network met at Crathes Castle on Saturday 1st November to enjoy a day of learning about mammal tracks and signs with Dan Puplett Nature Awareness. After getting to know each other a bit over tea and biscuits we spent about an hour in the Nature Room that…
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Mammals in October
This is the second in a series of planned articles by local zoologist Annie Lamb, looking at what our mammals are up to through the year. Check back here for future articles… Mammals cope with the coming of winter in a variety of ways. Some are preparing to shut down and let winter happen without…
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Hedgehogs in Autumn
Autumn is a crucial time of year for hedgehogs as the hibernation period approaches. Temperatures start to plunge, and natural food sources become scarce at a time when hedgehogs need to prepare to survive for what can be months without food and water during hibernation. It takes many weeks of preparation to build up fat…
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September Mammals
This is the first in a series of planned articles by local zoologist, Annie Lamb, looking at what our mammals are up through the year. Check back here for future articles… Mammals in general are affected by the lengthening period of darkness in August and September. Not only does dusk come earlier, but the rate…
North East Scotland Mammal Network 