We are concerned about harvest mice.
Factors such as the changes in agricultural practices and the subsequent loss of favourable habitat have meant that numbers are dwindling across the British Isles. The IUCN red list now classifies the harvest mouse as near threatened in most of Britain and critical in Scotland.
Winter 2020 will see the start of our biggest ever national harvest mouse survey.
The Mammal Society will be calling on Britain’s citizen scientists to help gather information which will help us to build a true picture of the current status of our harvest mice. The survey will take place in winter as this is the best time to find abandoned nests without fear of disturbing existing families. Luckily harvest mice build a new nest for each litter which means that we can find out quite a lot without even seeing the mice themselves. Once we know where they are doing well/not so well and why, we will be able to focus on finding the best means of reversing the decline.
Soon we will be posting details of what we would like you to do and when you can take part, so please keep an eye on this page. If you are already surveying harvest mice in your area, or would like to register your interest now, please email Charlie at info@themammalsociety.org.
To discover more about harvest mice click here.
