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Post by Big Blue on Apr 30, 2024 5:39:38 GMT
I saw this story on the news the other night. Perivale Wood: Harvest mice reintroduced after 45 years www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68911504Now the story opened with the newsreader saying what cute mice they are, there were lots of shots of cute mice etc. Then an interview with the Society chap that features in the story. He did mention one thing that hasn’t made the online feature: “…and of course they’re a good food source for owls.” So not just cute but tasty also. |
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Post by Tim on Apr 30, 2024 6:57:06 GMT
We clearly have quite a lot of mice around the garden at home - there are mouse path tracks through some of the grass..
There's one spot under a low-hanging tree where there was a fairly large pile of bird poo so I suspect something had made that its lookout point and it was obviously quite close to the food source.
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Post by LandieMark on Apr 30, 2024 9:12:22 GMT
We have loads of mice and rabbits. I was less pleased to see a rat the other day and it's a good job Lindsey didn't see it.
I'm shooting the rabbits as much as possible and ratty will go the same way if I see him again.
The local Barn Owls do a reasonable job at keeping the vermin under control.
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Post by bryan on Apr 30, 2024 9:14:48 GMT
Our cat also helps, with several kills a day, despite us feeding her, greedy madam
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Post by PG on May 1, 2024 5:57:03 GMT
.... Then an interview with the Society chap that features in the story. He did mention one thing that hasn’t made the online feature: “…and of course they’re a good food source for owls.” So many wildlife stories are sugar coated to avoid the reality or avoid uncomfortable truths that don't fit the narrative. We recently bought some horse hay and a hibernating hedgehog was in one of the bales. We dare not release it here as the local badgers will just eat it - they love hedgehogs. So we've got a friend to take it to their more urban back garden, where it was quite happy eating catfood after waking up and wandering off into the undergrowth. We've not seen a live hedgehog at home for over 25 years. But when you look a all the hedgehog rescue sites there is no mention anywhere of the threat that badgers pose to hedgehogs. In fact one even states that they are against badger culling. |
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Post by bryan on May 1, 2024 9:27:30 GMT
.... Then an interview with the Society chap that features in the story. He did mention one thing that hasn’t made the online feature: “…and of course they’re a good food source for owls.” So many wildlife stories are sugar coated to avoid the reality or avoid uncomfortable truths that don't fit the narrative. We recently bought some horse hay and a hibernating hedgehog was in one of the bales. We dare not release it here as the local badgers will just eat it - they love hedgehogs. So we've got a friend to take it to their more urban back garden, where it was quite happy eating catfood after waking up and wandering off into the undergrowth. We've not seen a live hedgehog at home for over 25 years. But when you look a all the hedgehog rescue sites there is no mention anywhere of the threat that badgers pose to hedgehogs. In fact one even states that they are against badger culling. It is an interesting subject, I wanted to re-home some hedgehogs but the sanctuary refused as we have badgers.... ....my brother is a professional Badger expert (he is licensed by English nature to come up with set relocation etc)and swears blind they don't eat them. No idea where the truth lies. |
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Post by LandieMark on May 1, 2024 13:15:51 GMT
Just been tidying outside as I finished early and the weather is finally pleasant. I moved some furniture and found a huge rat, thankfully dead - cause of death most likely terrier. 😂
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Post by Alex on May 1, 2024 21:39:20 GMT
It's just the circle of life and part of the natural food Web that benefits the whole ecosystem if both predator and prey can thrive. Yes these mice will provide food for owls but the owls eating them will stop them breeding like rabbits and overrunning the place. The owls will also have other prey that they will help control. More owls is also a good thing for no other reason than that they are great animals. Sorry to go all Packham there.
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