Tracks and signs images needed.

[Gill Catton]

I did have some good badger prints and mink too and a mink holt (wrong word but I'm not sure on the technical term for a mink's home! but these seem to have got lost which is a bit frustrating!!
This is a fantastic idea by the way.....

[mh68]

I lost a lot of shots when my computer crashed a couple of years ago, so I know your frustration Hope you manage to find them Gill...

Wader prints in very soft mud, 3 toed bird tracks without webbing or rear toe usually signifies wader species(size varies with species), these are Lapwing prints (watched them feeding)...



Mark H

[mh68]

Roe Deer bedding area. The animal has scraped away the leaf litter and used the spot to rest during the day. Note lack of feeding disturbance/digging on the cleared ground...the animal was observed while still resting here...



Roe Deer latrine. Usually found in secluded areas, this is the clustered form, droppings may also be left in loose piles.Roe Deer tend to use regular latrines in the same areas.




Mark H

[Deer Stalker]

Examples of Sika deer Bole scoring.

One of the ways Sika stags mark their teritory, by gouging thier antlers in the trunks of trees during the rut in the autumn.







Will take pics of fresh scoring this autumn.

[mh68]

Fungi on fallen tree browsed by Rabbits. Note wide incisor marks...





Mark H

[Deer Stalker]

Badger Latrine.

Badgers alway dig a small hole to use as a latrine & can be used many times. This Latrine was near the sett but others are used to mark the perimiter of a clans territory.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Examples of Sika deer Bole scoring.

One of the ways Sika stags mark their teritory, by gouging thier antlers in the trunks of trees during the rut in the autumn.







Will take pics of fresh scoring this autumn.

Interesting, do they use the same trees year after year?

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Interesting, do they use the same trees year after year?

Hi Gill,

Yep they can do. Doesn't make them very popular with the Foresters.

[Deer Stalker]

Badger scratch post next to a sett.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Hi Gill,

Yep they can do. Doesn't make them very popular with the Foresters.

No I can imagine!! I wonder how many see such marks and think its evidence of a big cat!

[vole-woman]

Re the 2p piece: it's a gadget that a friend made for me.

http://staggsbrook.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html

You drill a hole through the top of a coin, then tie some fishing line to it and wrap a good length of that line round a cork (prefereably one of those mushroom-shaped corks). The coin can be fitted in a slot cut in the head of the cork, and the whole thing fits in your pocket. Really handy for photographing tracks, scat, bugs or whatever.

[mh68]

Roe Deer tracks in soft mud. The splaying of the upper track in this case is caused by slipping. Splaying can also signify the animal moving at speed...



Mark H

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

No I can imagine!! I wonder how many see such marks and think its evidence of a big cat!

Mind you, I don't think many people notice it at all. Most seem to walk round the Forest with their eyes & ears shut.

[jennyb]

This is a great thread. I have so many holes and droppings in my garden that I am going to go out and take some photos this afternoon if the rain stops. I guess most tracks will have been washed away by now.

Jenny

[Tracey.A]

This is a great idea Mark! There arn't enough books about animal tracks and signs that are focused on Britain only. I'm really excited about this and I can't wait to see what kind of signs people find. Fantastic way to learn how to identify signs and tracks of British mammals. Brilliant, brilliant and what can I say - brilliant

Tracey

[mh68]

Bark stripping on a fallen tree. The loose bark signifies Squirrels. In this area, Red Squirrels, most likely done prior to the tree falling.



The same tree further down, showing where Roe Deer have stripped the bark after the tree has fallen....



Mark H

[mh68]

Originally Posted by Tracey.A

This is a great idea Mark! There arn't enough books about animal tracks and signs that are focused on Britain only. I'm really excited about this and I can't wait to see what kind of signs people find. Fantastic way to learn how to identify signs and tracks of British mammals. Brilliant, brilliant and what can I say - brilliant

Tracey

It`s an area sadly lacking in info Tracey. The response so far has been overwhelming, considering the thread has only been in existence for less than 24hrs,and I`d like to say thanks to everyone who`s contributed so far


Mark H

[mh68]

Fox tunnel through undergrowth, leading into an area of thick Gorse. Too large for Rabbit, too small for Deer,no Badgers in the area and well away from paths used by dogwalkers. Note the vertical oval shape...this area is frequently scattered with remains of Fox kills.The "musty" smell of Foxes is always present here too...



Mark H

[Deer Stalker]

Fallow rings.

Usually done by a Master Buck on his 'stand' during the rut in October. I always find them round a stump. The size of the slots (tracks) that made the ring indicates Fallow.

These rings, however, were found fresh in March, so they would be the activity of a young buck, as it is only young bucks that still have higher levels of testosterone so will be practising this behaviour. (The older bucks are usually completely spent after a couple of weeks of rutting in October and are certainly no good after a few months! Also their testosterone levels will be dropping getting ready for antler casting so rutting behaviour is reduced).

If a doe was missed she will come into season every month in winter until she is covered, hence the finding of really young fawns in August. This will also stimulate younger bucks to carry out this behaviour.

[mh68]

Bat droppings (images courtesy of nightshade from the Gallery).

Brown Long Eared Bat.



Greater Horseshoe Bat.



Lesser Horseshoe Bat.



Natterers Bat.



Serotine.



Pipistrelle.



Whiskered Bat.



Mark H

[jennyb]

I realise this is a bit obvious but here is a mole hill. Lots of these in my garden!



If this is not the kind of thing you want, please delete it.

Jenny

[mh68]

No, Jenny that`s fine, they are, after all, the main sign of these creature`s presence

Water Vole signs courtesy of phoenix, from the Gallery....

Latrines.





Feeding signs.





Mark H

[Gill Catton]

Brown hare print - This is the front left forefoot, note the wonkyness of the toes seemingly all down one side of the print

[mh68]

Stoat right forefoot print (image courtesy of Dogghound from the Gallery).



Roe Deer print showing dew claws (image courtesy of Dogghound from the Gallery)



Mark H

[Tracey.A]

User: Tracey.A
Views: 8
Date: Sun June 22, 2008
Dimensions: 640 x 480





Pine marten scat
User: Tracey.A
Views: 2
Date: Sun June 22, 2008
Dimensions: 640 x 480





Pine marten scat
User: Tracey.A
Views: 4
Date: Sun June 22, 2008
Dimensions: 640 x 480





Pine marten scat
User: Tracey.A
Views: 3
Date: Sun June 22, 2008
Dimensions: 640 x 480





Pine marten scat
User: Tracey.A
Views: 6
Date: Sun June 22, 2008
Dimensions: 640 x 480

Don't think I've done this right! Can you do it for me Mark?

Tracey