Tracks and signs images needed.

[ron1863]

Great thread and very informative, I see lots of various forms of droppings but will now photograph and add them to the thread for ID. An excellent way to identify mammls in your area, even though you may never see the creature.

[mh68]

Originally Posted by ron1863

Great thread and very informative, I see lots of various forms of droppings but will now photograph and add them to the thread for ID. An excellent way to identify mammls in your area, even though you may never see the creature.

Tracks and signs are part and parcel of studying mammals Ron. So many are nocturnal and elusive , often the only way of studying these creatures is by what theyve left behind. Despite this, i`ve yet to come across a comprehensive info source for tracks and signs in the UK.If enough people contribute, we`ll have a pretty unique resource on WaB
If you have pics which need ID`ing its probably best to post them on their own thread. If we can keep images on this thread to ID`d species, it`ll help to avoid confusion

Mark H

[mh68]

Entrances to Field Vole runs on the edge of rough grass. Opening is roughly egg sized.





Mark H

[Wild-Woman]

I have a nice sloughed Grass Snake skin. Where should I put that? Ta.

[vole-woman]

Water vole feeding signs:

[vole-woman]

Water vole latrines:






A field vole latrine:




Field vole feeding:



When feeding on juncus, field voles often strip the green outer layer to leave the white pith.



Water vole tracks:



Note the distinctive star-shape. Easily confused with rat prints, though, as rats' toes can splay in soft mud too.

Otter spraint under a bridge:



Otter spraint close up:

[mh68]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I have a nice sloughed Grass Snake skin. Where should I put that? Ta.

Just add the pic to this thread for now Jules

Mark H

[Deer Stalker]

Might be worth putting a rule or coin (as Vole-woman has done) with track & scat pics to give scale.

I'll start taking more pics when I'm out.

[mh68]

Red Squirrel feeding signs on a pine cone - note the roughly torn off scales and general shape of the remains..



Mark H

[mh68]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Might be worth putting a rule or coin (as Vole-woman has done) with track & scat pics to give scale.

I'll start taking more pics when I'm out.

Yep Si, I`ll certainly try and remember to do that from now on with any pics I get...thanks mate
It`s also worth pointing out that tracks/signs of non-native species such as Mink, Grey Squirrels etc, and tracks of domestic animals are also useful for comparison purposes.
Also images of things like Bat roosts in hollow trees are welcome too...


Rabbit tracks through a golf course sand bunker, showing classic pattern...




Mark H