The Decline in Numbers, of British Mammals.

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dennishasdoneit

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An English Hampden on the Moss side.

Has anyone else noticed, the decline in our wildlife species.
I have seen many a Stoat ,over the years, but not for a few years now.
The Rabbits and rodents, that they feed on,are also not as widespread as they used to be.
Nature has lifted my heart ,on so many occasions, over the years, and I am simply highlighting
It's apparent decline...
First time I ever saw a Stoat, was 1985,Notts, Strelly woods just off Junction 26 M1 Motorway..,just saw a moving furry unit ambling down the side of Arable land.it was a sight to behold,a predator on afternoon stroll if you like.
Anyone else fascinated by Stoats and have you seen them recently ?
 
I used to see Stoats occasionally when I was out walking my dogs, but not being a dog owner anymore I don't tend to walk through woods now.

Where I live wild Rabbits where once abundant but not anymore, they've gone from something I'd see numerous times every day when walking the dogs to not seeing one locally in over a decade and that's no exaggeration.

I guess Mixomatosis saw them off, and the population never recovered.

It's sad.
 
I think the problem is mainly environmental. The habitat for wild animals is getting smaller all the time.
Suburban gardens can be beneficial, so: Don’t pave it over; cut a hole in any solid fence to allow hedgehogs etc to move around; grow some bushy shrubs; heathers are excellent cover for small animals; don’t keep solid gates shut.
 
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I’ve absolutely loved Stoats, Weasels, Polecats, Ferrets (any Mustelids really) since I was a little kid, had Ferrets for a long time growing up, due to the fact I was given a pair of orange wellies with animal’s footprints and their pictures next to them when I was about 5 years old.

Interestingly, having lived and visited all over rural Wales, Cheshire, Peak District etc, there’s one area over the years where I’ve seen them regularly (and still do as I live here now) which accounts for around 99%, which is the area to the right of the M61 heading from Manchester to Preston, so basically on the Rivington side over to Entwistle reservoir and beyond.

I’ve probably seen either a Stoat or a Weasel once every couple of months on average over the last few years, so rest assured Dennis, they seem to be doing really well here.
 
The Stockport Iniesta said:
I used to see Stoats occasionally when I was out walking my dogs, but not being a dog owner anymore I don't tend to walk through woods now.

Where I live wild Rabbits where once abundant but not anymore, they've gone from something I'd see numerous times every day when walking the dogs to not seeing one locally in over a decade and that's no exaggeration.

I guess Mixomatosis saw them off, and the population never recovered.

It's sad.
Click to expand...
I remember late 80s walking the land seeing literally hundreds of rabbits in fields. The Warrens were everywhere...surely the most abundant mammal in the country.i was always fascinated by the way they lived with the different entrances etc..they were the stable diet of many a predator ,Fox Stoat Weasel Grass snake,Heron badgers The Adder ..Otter pine marten and Scottish Wildcat..many more,I'm sure.;;
 
The Stockport Iniesta said:
I used to see Stoats occasionally when I was out walking my dogs, but not being a dog owner anymore I don't tend to walk through woods now.

Where I live wild Rabbits where once abundant but not anymore, they've gone from something I'd see numerous times every day when walking the dogs to not seeing one locally in over a decade and that's no exaggeration.

I guess Mixomatosis saw them off, and the population never recovered.

It's sad.
Click to expand...
I wonder.
 
Unless you are out walking at night or part of a hunt party I doubt you'd see many foxes.

Same applies to Hedgehogs and Badgers.

Seen plenty of urban foxes, in Bristol and Somerset and one with a gammy leg and cub in Dulwich and tried to feed it dog treats.

Saw an urban badger running between front gardens last year, they are probably still living in that area but don't often walk that route at that time of night. Only so many areas within towns and cities where a badger can build a large set and remain undisturbed.
 
Mr Kobayashi said:
Unless you are out walking at night or part of a hunt party I doubt you'd see many foxes.

Same applies to Hedgehogs and Badgers.

Seen plenty of urban foxes, in Bristol and Somerset and one with a gammy leg and cub in Dulwich and tried to feed it dog treats.

Saw an urban badger running between front gardens last year, they are probably still living in that area but don't often walk that route at that time of night. Only so many areas within towns and cities where a badger can build a large set and remain undisturbed.
Click to expand...
We’ve got a hedgehog family living in our garden. One even came in and started eating the cat’s food.

IMG_7401.jpegIMG_7402.jpeg
 
We had a badger living at the bottom of our front garden and we never even knew, the only way it was spotted was when a car smashed the wall down and builders came to rebuild it.

As for lack of Mice? Tell that to Jasper the Cat who seems to dig them up at will, sometimes he can drop 2 a night depending on how lively he is on any given hunt.
 
Mr Kobayashi said:
Unless you are out walking at night or part of a hunt party I doubt you'd see many foxes.

Same applies to Hedgehogs and Badgers.

Seen plenty of urban foxes, in Bristol and Somerset and one with a gammy leg and cub in Dulwich and tried to feed it dog treats.

Saw an urban badger running between front gardens last year, they are probably still living in that area but don't often walk that route at that time of night. Only so many areas within towns and cities where a badger can build a large set and remain undisturbed.
Click to expand...

She's certainly urban but a regular vistor to us. Sits and waits to be fed.

_45A0843.jpg
 
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