A MOUSE ’ S TALE
I first saw her scurrying over the garden path in a blur of activity , trying to avoid discovery . However , as the summer went on , she gradually began to trust me more and more . Whilst I could not tell , I imagined that it was a mother , rearing a family .
Like many small rodents the Yellow Necked Mouse can be an extremely difficult animal to watch . As with other wary creatures this small mammal in the Millstream Fork wildlife garden wanted to avoid humans .
One evening I heard the foliage rustling and spotted some leaves shimmering in the undergrowth where she was scrambling for cover . This secrecy was her natural defense mechanism that protected her from life threatening predators . I sensed that she was scared of me , just as though I could have been one of those killers . Deep down , her instincts told her that if she made one mistake it could have been her last .
Over a period of weeks I noticed that the Yellow Necked Mouse had regularly been running along my wooden fence to tuck into the fat-ball that I had originally expected to be eaten by songbirds . However , many years ago I decided not to have just an ornithological garden ; I preferred to cater for all wild animals including mammals , reptiles , amphibians and insects .
As I regularly sat out on the patio , the Yellow Necked Mouse got more and more used to me being there in the garden . One evening , she had decided to trust me although it meant that she had to risk putting her life in danger . She climbed up onto the patio bird table to nibble away at the items that the birds had not yet snaffled up throughout the day .
As a result of this trustworthiness I continued to
sit in the same chair in the same place on the patio night after night throughout the balmy summer . Once she trusted me more than ever when she ran within 12 inches of my outstretched feet as I relaxed and lolled on the patio chair .
Sadly after a week or so of this carefree relationship , she simply vanished . She could have moved into another territory , although I suspect that the mouse suffered a sudden death from a predator .
Sitting on the patio , I often wonder about how future human behavior could affect animal habits and development . Moreover I also think about the pleasures of wildlife gardening and ask one recurring question in particular : who or what gives the most ?
If people give animals enough to live a full and active life , it may be humans . But if it is about giving another animal species pleasure simply from being alive , then in this case the mouse won easily – I ’ m certain of that !
“ Ashley , the winner of the Hiya Bucks Wildlife Competition , chose a robin ’ s nestbox because it was one type that he didn ’ t already have in his garden . We talked about how and where to erect the box for maximum benefit , such as height from the ground , what compass point should it face and how to attract a robin but be out of the way for predators . I had a great time meeting him and his wife - thanks to Hiya Bucks . Well done !”
Andy Mydellton , author and journalist , leads the South Buckinghamshire registered charity , the Foundation for Endangered Species . Being based in South Bucks , they are in a position to advise people in this area about wildlife .
Contact Andy on 01895 520184 email info @ ffes . org . uk www . ffesorg . uk
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