The Natural History of Keyworth Meadows

April 2010

The cold soil from the cold winter, resulted in a delayed spring as far as flora was concerned, but I expect by now, i.e. early May, things are back to normal. Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers in late March showed no delay, and moths and butterflies were about on the first sunny days but I wonder if they were adversely affected by the later than normal blossom, leaves and catkins.

I have been captive breeding harvest mice since last September, when I acquired a pair. I hasten to admit that there are no special skills required to undertake this; just an understanding family, some tanks and two mice are all that it takes! Entertaining and endearing though they may be, I have to admit that we were relieved to see the mild weather of March since we were awaiting benign conditions for the release of some of these litters. There is plenty of suitable habitat in Keyworth Meadow and these mice have been found to breed there on many occasions so the release of a few extra will not upset the ecology. Hopefully, there will be a good population in the late summer of 2010 that would otherwise have been much reduced by the harsh winter and the severe predation that these tiny rodents suffer.

The sheet of corrugated tin in one corner of the meadow, is a makeshift refuge for appreciative creatures including grass snakes and toads but it was nice to see that one of the harvest mice had built an overnight shelter beneath it too.

Neil Pinder