Mammals in Coventry/South West Leicestershire

[Coventry Lee]

That's excellent news, as I hope to be undertaking some voluntary work at Coombe Abbey in the coming months, some of which will involve work around the bird hide.

[Ian Gray]

hope you go about your work quietly then

Ian

[Ian Gray]

just a thought. you asked about mammals, but a pair of lesser spotted woodpeckers have just started knocking close by to the hide. might be worth keeping an eye out for.

Ian

[themainzed]

Hi Lee,

I know this is an old post but if you are still in the area and still interested in seeing foxes/deer/badgers in this area, I can give you some pointers. Kenilworth Road/Stivichall Common/Canley Ford is one of the best places to see foxes. But there are plenty around all over the city.

You can often see munties grazing on the verges of the K'worth Road too in the early hours, but munties are everywhere now.

Roe are widespread in Warwickshire now, I can remember seeing my first one in the county in the early 90's and being quite excited but they are pretty common now. Ryton Wood complex is a good try esp. Waverley Wood.

There are also wild fallow in Warks too, Hampton Wood certainly have them. I'm guessing these were originally escapees from Charlecote Park at some stage in the past but they're a lot harder to see than their park counterparts though! If you just want to see some fallow, Charlecote Park near Stratford and Packington Park near Meriden are your best bets.

When you walk round a wood see if you can spot the places the deer are using to leave the wood to go out grazing. These are usually well used and you should see a clear trail with deer prints (slots) going through a hole in the hedge.

If you can, get up a nearby tree before dusk, take a cushion to sit on and sit really quietly and wait. DON'T smoke or fiddle with your mobile and make sure you have it on silent!

This goes for badgers too if you find an active sett. Chuck some peanuts down first and you'll get them feeding right underneath you.

Good luck,

Zed