Alnwick Wildlife Group

Mammals

MARCH

Hedgehog Laurie Campbell ©

There were tell-tale signs of Hedgehog activity left within the garden of 27, North Bank, Belford (30th) but Denwick House (Denwick) was being explored much earlier in the month. “A Hedgehog – the same one – (was discovered within the) grounds at dusk on March 2nd, 9th and 19th”. The observer was understandably concerned because the conditions were “exceptionally cold for foraging (with the) temperature near freezing on each day”. Sadly it is not a good sign to have these creatures wandering around the depths of winter as they quickly burn up their fat-reserves which are essential for sound hibernation. Active Hedgehogs have usually been disturbed in some way or, more probably, are not in the best of health. Voles usually scuttle out of view before they can be properly examined but a Short-tailed Vole – now known as a Field Vole – permitted positive identification when it broke cover on Wether Hill (Ingram nr Powburn/ 28th).

Records of Red Squirrels appear to be much reduced from those submitted a few years ago. Single animals were found on the A697 road near Barton House (Bridge of Aln nr Whittingham/ 7th) and on the A1 road beside The Avenue, Ellingham (11th). Individuals also ventured out into different parts of Hulne Park (24th + 25th). It is depressing to have to record another case of the deadly Parapox (“Squirrel-pox”) virus on a Red Squirrel at Swarland (15th). “A flock of Feral Goats were watched on Newton Tors (Cheviot Hills/ 10th) … and consisted of 3 mature billies with approx 25 nannies and several 3-4 week old kids. (They were) sheltering amongst Gorse and difficult to count but probably 40-50 in total.”

Feral Goat Laurie Campbell ©

40-50 was also the rough count made of Grey Seals which had hauled out onto a sandbank near Holy Island (13th). A bull Grey Seal was watched swimming beside the Old Bridge at Berwick –upon-Tweed (14th) and each time it surfaced the animal was seen to be wearing a cloak of blue nylon fishing-net around its body. All attempts to see whether the netting was cutting into the seal’s flesh were inconclusive. Elsewhere in the Berwick-upon-Tweed area very close views of a dog Otter were enjoyed (14th). This sinuous creature surfaced and dived a number of times and looked magnificent in the early-morning sunshine.

March 22nd was another savage day with the wind in the North-East and frequent showers of hail, sleet and snow. These were obviously conditions when any sensible animal should have remained snug underground. It was therefore quite a surprise to see a Badger running across open ground on Wandylaw Moor (to the west of Chathill) at 10.15 in the morning through this wintry scene. Possible explanations might include hunger of a sett that had become waterlogged (???)