Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2007 | Page 53

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING - life Where mammals thrive Introducing five species that are struggling on the mainland but doing very well in splendid isolation on the Isle of Wight. 1. COMMON DORMOUSE The common dormouse is an internationally rare mammal species, yet it can be found in 70% of the Island’s woods, as well as in scrub on heathland, reedbeds and bramble scrub. Populations of dormice occur at Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses, Swanpond Copse and St Lawrence Undercliff – all Wildlife Trust reserves. The dormouse’s success on the Island is down to the climate and good coppice management, which combine to supply it with a wide variety of species to feed on throughout the year and a good supply of hazelnuts to fatten up for the winter. The Trust has played its part by carrying out a comprehensive survey of Island woodland for dormice and has also helped the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society to undertake dormouse nest box monitoring. 2. RED SQUIRRELS Found in over 90% of the Island’s woodland, the red squirrel is thriving thanks to sympathetic woodland management and the absence of the non-native grey squirrel. Grey squirrels are a problem for reds in the broadleaved woodlands of the mainland. They can digest acorns (which reds can’t) and are better at surviving tough winters and poor food availability. They also carry the parapox disease, which is fatal to reds. The reds on the Island also benefit from the lack of feral deer. Coppicing can be carried out without the need for expensive deer-protection, which means hazel can be managed to produce a far better crop, giving the squirrels a ready supply of their favourite nuts. Main left: Dormouse by Mike Lane - Above: Red Squirrel by Darin Smith The Trust has been co-ordinating the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Project. The project encourages landowners to consider sympathetic management of woodlands for red squirrels. The Trust has also helped with the planting of 100 ha (247 acres) of new native broadleaved woodland under the Forestry Commission JIGSAW tree planting scheme and undertaken two Islandwide surveys of the red squirrel populations. 3. BATS The classic combination of climate and sympathetic woodland management has also led to the Island’s woodland supporting a number of rare bat species. Noctule, Bechstein’s and Barbastelle bat populations are doing well, together with brown long-eared bats and two species of pipistrelles. In fact the Isle of Wight is now the best English county for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is a charity. Join today and help your local wildlife www.hwt.org.uk Island Life - www.isleofwight.net 53