Mammals in Coventry/South West Leicestershire

[Coventry Lee]

First of all, hello everyone. I've been lurking here for a while, and finally decided to join today.

I would like some advice as to where in Coventry or South West Leicestershire are the best locations to see mammals. I understand that 'mammals' is a very broad term. Specifically I'm interested in Foxes, Badgers and Deer (any species).

I live about a mile from Coventry city centre and have done for three years. Yet I haven't seen a single Fox. They were certainly plentiful in Leicester, where I used to live, and my girlfriend sees them regularly near her home in Hinckley. Perhaps it's just bad luck. I live very close to a railway embankment, which I would think should be a prime location for them.

I understand the Badgers and Deer will be much harder to find. I have no expectation of seeing a Badger here, given the urban location. But I am often in and around Hinckley and Earl Shilton in South West Leicestershire, and there is amble rural land. Are there any particular signs I should be looking for? And when should I be looking for them?

I am told that Deer (particularly) Muntjac are fairly widespread in all the areas I've mentioned, even close to urban centres. I've heard rumours of Muntjac at Coventry Memorial Park, where I run regularly, but I haven't seen a thing. The same goes for Burbage Common Woods and Bosworth Battlefield, but again, the same applies. I am undertaking some voluntary work in Brandon Woods, just outside of Coventry, in the coming weeks, and I know for sure that Muntjac are present there, so perhaps I'll get lucky.

As a more general Deer-related query, does anybody know whether or not Deer species other than Muntjac are present in or around Coventry/North Warwickshire/South West Leicestershire? I know of the Deer parks locally, but I am more interested in whether wild populations exist.

Thanks for any help that comes my way.

[nutmeg]

Hello Lee,

My parents live in Coventry, quite close to Memorial Park, and see muntjac, badgers and foxes in their garden regularly - so that area isn't a bad place to start.

[Coventry Lee]

Thanks, nutmeg.

I live just a twenty minute walk from the park, which would suggest that some of these mammals may be active on my doorstep. I shall take a walk to the park when I am free next week. Presumably dusk/dawn is the best time to catch a glimpse? Perhaps later at night for Badgers?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Coventry Lee

As a more general Deer-related query, does anybody know whether or not Deer species other than Muntjac are present in or around Coventry/North Warwickshire/South West Leicestershire? I know of the Deer parks locally, but I am more interested in whether wild populations exist.

Im not from the area but would be amazed if roe deer dont exist locally to you. Get up early in the morning and visit arable farmland especially areas with tree's and you should easily see them, they often wander right out into the fields. Its a good time to spot hares too, I had a couple boxing today.

[Coventry Lee]

I really hope that's the case. I'm very close to arable farmland when I'm in South West Leicestershire, and walking distance from some fairly substantial woodland in the area. I would give me a real thrill to see Deer in the wild. I've only ever seen them as a child, roaming Bradgate Park. A little internet research has given me hope that Muntjac are widespread in the areas I've mentioned. Any other Deer species would be a real bonus.

As I mentioned in my original post, I've seen many Foxes in the past, but not for some time and I would just love to see one again. But perhaps most of all I'd love to see a Badger. I realise that they are elusive creatures, but I've never had the pleasure and I'm determined to do so.

I've signed up for a number of voluntary projects taking place in an around Coventry over the next few weeks, partly in the hope of spying one of the creatures mentioned. Thank you for the advice so far.

[jamesthornton]

I heard there was a badger set in Rugby on the old railway line near Cawston if you know where that is?

Obviously you've got to be careful with badgers but you know I imagine.

I've seen plenty of Muntjac and Fox in and around Rugby but no Roe..

[Flywaver]

Hello. Im a Train Driver and Hinckley is on my stretch of line from Stansted to Birmingham. Foxes are everywhere. I even saw one wandering on Platform 2 at Leicester last week.Oblivious to commuters. The downside is we cant avoid hitting them. Although somewhere like leicester where the line speed is slow they have a good survival rate.

[Coventry Lee]

I stayed up last night and just watched from my bedroom window in the hope of seeing a Fox. I live on a quiet urban street, with a railway at one end and a small wooded area about two minutes walk the other way. I figured that a bit of patience would pay off and it did.

Mr (or Mrs) Fox made an appearance at about 2:30am. Unfortunately my window was open and I knocked the blinds. The Fox ran off so I assume he heard! I'd almost given up for the night but I heard a sharp 'yelping' sound (which I recognised from listening to Fox calls online), so I rushed to the window and there it was. So that's one ticked off the list!

[htcdude]

I still find it bizarre when people have difficulty seeing foxes, I usually see and nearly run one over most days at night, have had them attacking my rabbits at dusk (although bunny fought fox off ) and have even had them round my house in the daytime

Just so common round here now I forget the rest of the country don't get as many

[Ian Gray]

hiya Lee

firstly, welcome to WAB. Hope you enjoy your stay. Coombe Abbey has good numbers of Muntjac and Fox. And both can be spotted regularly from the bird hide. My main interest at Coombe at the moment is a Stoat family, but it's early days with that one. Probably the best place for Muntjac is Ryton woods. Hope this helps.

Regards

Ian