COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING
- life
Where mammals thrive
Introducing five species that are struggling on the mainland
but doing very well in splendid isolation on the Isle of Wight.
1. COMMON DORMOUSE
The common dormouse is an internationally
rare mammal species, yet it can be found in
70% of the Island’s woods, as well as in scrub
on heathland, reedbeds and bramble scrub.
Populations of dormice occur at Eaglehead and
Bloodstone Copses, Swanpond Copse and St
Lawrence Undercliff – all Wildlife Trust reserves.
The dormouse’s success on the Island is down
to the climate and good coppice management,
which combine to supply it with a wide variety of
species to feed on throughout the year and a good
supply of hazelnuts to fatten up for the winter.
The Trust has played its part by carrying out a
comprehensive survey of Island woodland for
dormice and has also helped the Isle of Wight
Natural History and Archaeological Society to
undertake dormouse nest box monitoring.
2. RED SQUIRRELS
Found in over 90% of the Island’s woodland, the
red squirrel is thriving thanks to sympathetic
woodland management and the absence of the
non-native grey squirrel. Grey squirrels are a
problem for reds in the broadleaved woodlands
of the mainland. They can digest acorns
(which reds can’t) and are better at surviving
tough winters and poor food availability. They
also carry the parapox disease, which is fatal
to reds. The reds on the Island also benefit
from the lack of feral deer. Coppicing can be
carried out without the need for expensive
deer-protection, which means hazel can be
managed to produce a far better crop, giving the
squirrels a ready supply of their favourite nuts.
Main left: Dormouse by Mike Lane - Above: Red Squirrel by Darin Smith
The Trust has been co-ordinating the Isle
of Wight Red Squirrel Project. The project
encourages landowners to consider sympathetic
management of woodlands for red squirrels. The
Trust has also helped with the planting of 100 ha
(247 acres) of new native broadleaved woodland
under the Forestry Commission JIGSAW tree
planting scheme and undertaken two Islandwide surveys of the red squirrel populations.
3. BATS
The classic combination of climate and
sympathetic woodland management has also
led to the Island’s woodland supporting a
number of rare bat species. Noctule, Bechstein’s
and Barbastelle bat populations are doing
well, together with brown long-eared bats
and two species of pipistrelles. In fact the Isle
of Wight is now the best English county for
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is a charity. Join today and help your local wildlife www.hwt.org.uk
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net
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