Mammals

The stoat has a black tip to its tail and is slightly larger than a weasel.

Picture by John Lincoln

According to the Bat Conservation Trust if you find an intact dead bat you can request a Dead Bat Pack, where your bat will then be sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). To request a Dead Bat Pack please click on this link - https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/found-a-dead-bat

Picture  by Elizabeth Dack

None of the bats found in Britain drink blood – they all eat insects. In fact, only 3 bat species out of more than 1,000 species worldwide drink blood. These are the vampire bats and they are only found in South America.

Picture by Lee Wright

Norfolk Wildlife Trust is unable to deal with sick or injured animals. Please phone the RSPCA Wildlife Centre, East Winch, King's Lynn on 0300 123 0709. Visit the RSPCA website for more information.

The otter is an European protected species, protected under Schedule 5 Sections 9(1) and 9(4) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural habitats &c.) Regulations 1994. The latter regulations (usually referred to as the Habitat Regulations 1994) implement the European Habitats Directive in the UK.

Under the legislation it is an offence to:

• deliberately kill, injure or take an otter from the wild without a licence;
• deliberately disturb an otter in its resting place or
• damage or destroy an otter’s breeding or resting site.

A licence issued by Natural England is required to carry out certain activities that could adversely affect otters if these activities fall within 50 metres of an otter’s holt or resting up site.

A license is not required to erect a fence around a pond or lake to exclude otters.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Hares are larger than rabbits and have longer ears with black tips. They also have longer hind legs. When they run, rabbits cock their tails up so you see the white flash of their ‘scut’ whereas hares usually hold their tails down so you don’t see the white underside.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Unfortunately due to the serious decline of our native red squirrel it is quite unlikely that you have seen a native red squirrel in your garden in the Norfolk area. The red squirrel is native to the UK and the grey squirrel was introduced to the UK in 1880’s from America. The grey squirrel has had a serious impact upon our native red squirrel populations meaning that today we are more likely to see a grey squirrel than a red squirrel.

In the past red squirrels ran wild in the woods of East Anglia, with Thetford Forest one of their strongholds, however this has not been the case for over 10 years and there have been no recent sightings of native reds. In the last 18 months there have been one or two sightings close to Brandon and Bury St Edmunds but these are suspected to be captive-bred reds of a Continental strain (European reds tend to be a lot darker than our native reds) or even that they're grays’ that are mistaken for reds because they can have rusty colouring sometimes.

As mentioned above red squirrels do sometimes escape from captivity. Keep observing and remember that red squirrels are considerably smaller and more delicate looking than the grey squirrel. Their coats are a chestnut red colour with pale undersides compared with the peppered grey colour of the grey squirrel. Grey squirrels also come in different shades of grey and can even sometimes appear black. Their colour is caused by an abnormal amount of the dark pigment – melanin – in their fur. This is a genetic condition called melanism and black squirrels are referred to as being melanistic.

The exact reasons for the red squirrels decline are still not certain, and research is currently being carried out. It is thought that the incredibly successful introduction of the grey squirrel is largely to blame. It is known that the Parapox virus killed large numbers of red squirrels, but the greys seem to be immune to it. Greys tend to survive better, producing more young, effectively forcing reds out of an area, though they do not actually fight. Reds continue to flourish in the absence of greys, such as on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, the Isle of Wight and a few places in the north of England & Scotland.

Picture by Annabelle Tipper
 

Water voles do not travel very far from their burrows. A female will have a territory of about 30 to 150 metres and males range over about twice that. Young water voles will travel up to about 1 kilometre when they leave the ‘nest’ in summer or autumn and disperse into the surrounding area.

When travelling, water voles use the water courses to get around. They do not travel over land although they will forage within a few metres of the water’s edge.

Picture by John Assheton

Ivy is a native, evergreen climber which has enormous benefits for wildlife especially during the cold winter months when it provides natural shelter for a wide array of mammals, birds and invertebrates.
 
Ivy is also an important food plant for many species. Its autumn flowers followed by ripened berries in late winter/early spring provide an important food source for many insects and birds at a time of year when other natural food supplies have been consumed.  

Picture by Elizabeth Dack
 

Badgers are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, it is an offence to wilfully injure, kill or take badgers. The law states that if any work carried out such as tree felling, timber extraction or mechanical cultivation near to a badger sett has the potential to disturb badgers then a licence should be applied for.

To be on the safe side it is best to speak to the local licensing authority as there are vague boundaries regarding ‘safe’ distances from badger setts. Further information on badgers and the law and how to obtain a licence can be found at this website link -https://www.gov.uk/guidance/badgers-protection-surveys-and-licences



Picture by Julian Thomas

Probably, however, you are unlikely to see them until the vegetation grows back as they will mostly stay underground in their burrows. Removal of the vegetation – often necessary to keep waterways clear - not only removes the voles’ food but also takes away the cover that protects them from predators. For this reason it is probably not advisable to try and provide food for them. You should be able to see evidence of water voles out and about again once the vegetation starts to re-grow.

Please note - Water voles were given full legal protection in England & Wales on the 6th April 2008 by provisions under section 9 of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Schedule 5 of this Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place that a water vole uses for shelter or protection. It is also an offence to disturb, kill or injure a water vole or handle a water vole without a licence. (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Disturbing or harming a water vole, damaging its habitat or destroying or blocking water vole burrows could lead to prosecution. Offences carry a maximum penalty of £5,000.

For further information on managing habitats for water vole please see this handout produced by Sussex Wildlife Trust - https://assets.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/managing-land-for-water-voles.pdf

Picture by Gavin Dowland

Otters will mainly feed on fish (40-90% of their diet)and will take a variety of species depending on the time of year, species such as carp, stickleback and eels. During the spring months amphibians form a large part of their diet. Occasionally otters will take small mammals and water birds such as coots. Manmade,domestic materials have also been found inside otters.

Generally they are opportunistic and catch their food whilst travelling throughout their range; their ranges are surprisingly large and in adult males these are likely to be in tens of kilometres.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Since the start of the reintroductions of otters in 1983, they have spread well and now have a presence on most of the rivers in Norfolk as well as on parts of the coast. It isn’t always the main channels of the rivers they use, they will also take advantage of the streams, ditches, fens and reed beds.

Otters mainly sleep and rest during daylight hours in dense cover or in cavities in trees and below ground – the latter are known as holts and these are also used for breeding. Within its range, an otter will use a number of resting and holt sites.

It is important to remember that otters are protected by law as well as their habitats and it is an offence to disturb and otter or its habitat.

Picture by Steve Ball

The most distinctive and easiest way to find otter signs are their droppings which are called spraints. Distinguishing between mink and otter droppings is relatively easy with mink scats being long and twisted in shape with a very unpleasant smell when fresh.

Otter spraints are left in prominent places such as on ledges under bridges and on rocks. They vary in shape, colour and consistency but always have a very distinctive musky, fishy smell, reminiscent of jasmine tea or newly mown hay.

The spraints have a unique, signature scent that is unique to each individual otter and this is the way of conveying information to one another.

Another way of revealing if otters are on site is looking out for their footprints. The footprints of otters are asymmetric and normally only show four toes even though they have five, although this depends on the surface they have been walking over. The webbing between the toes doesn’t normally show. Print sizes range between 40-80mm across. The prints of mink are much smaller across and the toes more spread out.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Look for hares on arable farmland, grazing marshes, heaths, and on saltmarsh, shingle and cliff top coastal habitats. Hares are at home in the large open arable fields of Fenland and central Norfolk, in the cattle-grazed marshlands of Broadland, and on the sandy heaths and fields of Breckland. They favour areas with a patchwork of grassland and crops.

They are present throughout the year, but difficult to spot on farmland when the crops have grown tall. The best time to look for hares is dawn or dusk. Hares feed mainly at night and lie up during the day. Late winter and early spring are the best times to scan the fields for hares.

Mad March hare behaviour, when up to ten hares gather together and indulge in madcap chases and furious boxing matches, can be seen in early spring from February onwards with peak activity in March and April.

Picture by Edward Jackson

Telephone for help immediately.

While help is on the way:

1) If you can find adequate assistance, gently roll the animal over onto its front and keep the skin wet by dousing with seawater. Do not pull on its fins or tail and be very careful not to get water down the blowhole.

2) Keep dogs and crowds away and reduce noise and sudden movement to reduce stress.

3) Do not attempt to drag the animal.

4) Be very careful of the teeth and tail – these are large, powerful animals.

The telephone numbers to ring are:

British Divers Marine Life Rescue – 01825 765 546 and out of hours 0778 7433 412


RSPCA National Hotline – 0300 1234 999

Dead animals should be reported to the National Strandings Co-ordinator  – 0800 6520 333

General Health Issues:

Marine animals can carry diseases which are transferable to humans, and they can cause injury:

1) Approach carefully and if in doubt wait for help.

2) Do not attempt to move heavy animals without adequate assistance.

3) Always wash your hands thoroughly after contact.

4) Children are at particular risk and should be kept well away.

This information has been taken from the poster written by the Marine Animal Rescue Coalition (MARC) and produced by the UK Strandings in collaboration with BDMLR and WDCS

Badgers will prey on hedgehogs and also compete with them for other prey items such as slugs and worms. However, hedgehogs and badgers have lived in the same habitats for millions of years and there is little evidence suggesting that badgers are contributing to hedgehog decline.

Picture by Julian Thomas

Young hedgehogs are called “hoglets” and there are usually 4 or 5 in a litter. The breeding season begins in May and hoglets are born in June. They will remain hidden for about 4 weeks but will then begin to follow their mother foraging.

The main reasons for the decline of the hedgehog in rural areas are fragmentation of habitat. Their natural habitat is the edge of woodland and hedges are a perfect substitute. However, larger fields with fewer hedges and increased road building fragment the hedgehog habitat. Fragmentation means hedgehogs may find it difficult to cross boundaries between these isolated islands and small populations can become lost. Other factors such as decreased food due to pesticides may also be affecting hedgehog numbers.
 
In urban areas hedgehogs are also declining as a result of habitat loss. Property development and increased numbers of paved gardens means there are less fields and gardens that are suitable for hedgehogs. Joining up gardens by making holes under fences can help hedgehogs in urban areas to move from one place to another to find food.  

 Picture by Tim Lake

The best way to help hedgehogs is to provide them with a suitable habitat. Hedgehogs will travel up to 2 km a night to feed and leaving gaps in fences will help them to move about and find food. If your neighbours will join in then the hedgehogs habitat will immediately improve.
 
Leaving areas of your garden undisturbed allows hedgehogs to find shelter amongst leaves and long grass. If you can avoid cutting the grass and using a strimmer in these areas will help. If you are going to be using a strimmer check the area carefully before hand as hedgehogs can be badly injured by the cord of a strimmer.
 
 Extra shelter can be provided by creating hibernation spots. This can be a box or an undisturbed log pile. Hedgehogs also love the warmth of compost heaps which are also a source of food. You can also supplement hedgehogs’ food with insects or cat and dog food but don’t give hedgehogs milk or fish-flavoured cat meat.
 
Many hedgehogs are killed on roads so slow down when driving at night and take care to avoid crossing wildlife.

Any squirrel you see in the wild is most likely to be a grey squirrel as there are no wild red squirrels left in Norfolk. However, there are some places in Norfolk where red squirrels are kept in captivity and it is possible that escapees occur on rare occasions.

Despite their names, colour is not always a fool-proof way to tell grey and red squirrels apart as many grey squirrels have a red or brown tinge to their fur while some red squirrels can be grey! Both types have pale underparts which can be white or cream in colour. This often causes confusion with many people thinking they’ve seen a red squirrel when it was actually a grey.

The most obvious difference is their ears. Red squirrels have characteristic ear tufts which are moulted once a year in autumn. Grey squirrels never have ear tufts and their ears are much rounder than a red squirrel’s.

Hedgehogs will eat at least 100 invertebrates, such as snails, slugs and worms every night. If you want to put out supplementary food you can buy specially made dried food for hedgehogs or you can feed them dog or cat meat – any flavour except fish. Do not give hedgehogs milk but ensure that there is water in your garden, not just for hedgehogs but for all animals.

Bats are protected by the law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Regulation 39 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994. It is an offence to kill, injure or handle bats or disturb their breeding sites or resting places

Picture by Kevin Murphy

Boxing occurs during March/April when two hares stand on their back legs and 'box' each other with their front feet. The behaviour can be quite intense and gives rise to the name the ‘Mad March Hare’. Boxing is part of courtship behaviour and is usually the female warning off unwanted males rather than fighting between two males.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Bats make very good house guests: they do not chew through wood or wires; they do not bring in nesting materials and they are extremely quiet. Bats usually use buildings during the summer, but move out in the winter to a hibernation site.

The best time to see deer is at dusk or dawn. Generally male and females remain in separate groups until it is time for mating.

Red Deer: Rut September to October. Red deer have been observed throughout the East Anglian region but rutting has specifically been reported at Minsmere reserve and Thetford forest. Events have been organised to observe rutting in previous years, check the RSPB and Forestry Commission websites for more information. Young red deer are born in early June.

Roe Deer: Rut July to August. The have embryonic diapause (which means the embryo waits to develop) so they don’t give birth until May/June. Roe deer can be seen in the Thetford Forrest.

Fallow Deer: Rut October to November and fawns are born May to June. A large herd can be seen at Holkham Estate.

Chinese Water Deer: Rut November to December and fawns are born in May and June. They may be seen at NWT Hickling Broad and Strumpshaw Fen.

The water vole is in serious rapid decline and much is being done to conserve the species. It is a priority species in the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan, and East Anglia is an important national stronghold for the water vole. Therefore it can be considered to be lucky to have these creatures in your garden. It was a water vole which was named “Ratty” in the famous The Wind in the Willows stories.

Water voles have full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended) which means that it is illegal to kill or disturb the shelter of a water vole. Young male water voles disperse from the nest when they are about 4 months old to find new habitats, it is quite common for them to then move on again to a more suitable habitat. Their occupation of small, lined garden ponds tends to be transient and it is most likely that the voles will move on. Water voles can not be moved without a conservation licence issued by Natural England.

For more information on obtaining a water vole licence visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/water-vole-licences 

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

The water vole and its burrows are both protected by law. It is illegal to kill, injure or take one from the wild. It is also illegal to intentionally or recklessly damage or disturb the places they use for shelter. This protection is afforded by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981(amended).

For more information see:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-voles-protection-surveys-and-licences

Bat boxes can be positioned on trees, buildings, and garden walls. If possible choose a site where bats are known to feed. Locate the box in a site that is sheltered from strong winds and heavy rain and that is not exposed to strong sunlight for long periods.

Place the box as high up as possible to avoid disturbance or predation by cats. Most bat species prefer boxes over 5m above the ground. If possible position the box near to a linear vegetation feature such as a line of trees or a hedgerow. This will help bats to navigate between their nest site and feeding grounds. If positioning a box in a tree, try to ensure that branches are cleared from around the box entrance so that the bats’ approach to the box is not impeded.

Both species are agile swimmers and catch fish by chasing them underwater. The otter needs to eat 20 per cent of its body weight in food every day - about 2.5kg and will be able to tackle larger prey items than mink. Otters will usually eat the fishes head first and will quite often leave the tail. The mink has a wider diet but will take smaller fish. A feeding station will contain lots of fish scales and fins especially in the winter months.

To ascertain which species is involved you should firstly look for any footprints the animal may have left in the mud around the feeding area:

Otters are much bigger than mink and have 5 toes on each foot connected by webbing (although this is not always obvious and the print marks left usually only show four toes). The overall footprint shape resembles that of a kite with a footprint approx 7cm long and 6cm across. The hind print is generally bigger and can be up to 9cm in length. The claw marks are represented as slight indentations.

Mink also have 5 toes on each foot but the prints are much smaller with fore prints approx 3.5cm long and up to 4cm wide. The hind print is up to 4.5cm long. The prints are roughly oval in shape with clearly defined claw marks

Your next piece of detective work would be to see if the animal may have left some droppings nearby:

Otter droppings (called Spraints) are black and slimy when first deposited and have a strong oily smell. Over time however they become light grey and lose their thick consistency. The droppings are made up almost exclusively of fish bones, scales and the hard shell fragments of crustaceans. Otters use droppings as scent markings and they are quite often left in exposed places (raised banks or vegetation, stones etc).

Mink droppings are generally 6-8cm long and approx 6-9mm wide. They are often twisted and pointed at one end. Close examination is likely to show a much wider range of prey remains including the fur and bone fragments of small rodents, bird feathers and also the husks and pips of fruit and berries. If the mink has been eating fish the droppings are likely to resemble thin otter spraint but with a faintly acrid smell. The droppings are often used as scent markings, although some will be inconspicuously placed.

The otter is a protected species and it is illegal to trap or harm it in anyway. The mink however is a relatively recent introduction to Great Britain, and represents a threat to some native animals, in particular the water vole. Mink are categorised as a pest species and are widely trapped.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Both have a blunt nose, smaller ears and much shorter tail than mice.

Field voles have greyish-brown fur covering most of their body but have a paler grey underside. They have a very short tail which equates to approx 30% of the body length. Their ears are half hidden whereas those of a bank vole are more visible. Length is 10-13 cm. They mainly inhabit grassy fields but can also be found in open woodland.

Bank voles are the smallest of the UK voles at only approx 9cm in length. They have a rich red-brown back and creamy grey underside giving a distinct 2-tone effect. The ears are more visible than on a field vole but are still quite small, certainly smaller than those of a mouse. The tail is approx 50% of the body length. They inhabit broadleaved woodland, scrubland and hedgerows.

Send your wildlife records to Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service. Details on how to do this can be found on their website - http://www.nbis.org.uk/

There is no known sustainable population of red squirrels left in the wild in Norfolk. There are occasional reports from the Thetford Forest area but these are thought to relate to deliberate releases of captive bred animals or escapes.

The non-native American mink is in the same mammal family as the otter, stoat and weasel, and resembles all of these species in general body shape. It is quite commonly confused with the otter, especially in wetland habitats, but there are several important differences. It has a long, slim body, short legs and a round, fluffy tail that is about a third of its body length. The otter’s tail is broad-based, flat and tapers towards the tip and is about half the body length. In size American mink are larger than stoats and weasels but smaller than a domestic cat and about half the size of an otter. The average body length is 60cm for males and 50cm for females. The tail adds an extra 14 – 21cm. The fur is rich, glossy and generally dark brown or black, with a white or pale patch on the chin only. The pale markings on an otter extend from the chin to the chest. The muzzle of a mink is pointed and ferret-like whereas the otter has a flattened head shape and a broad dog-like muzzle. The mink swims high in the water with the head and body visible but the otter swims low in the water with only the head and part of the tail on show.

Picture by Brian MacFarlane

These animals, descendants from mink that escaped or were intentionally released from fur farms, are an ‘alien’ species, and don’t fit properly into Norfolk’s ecology. The American mink is a very undesirable resident in Norfolk and certainly not to be encouraged; in fact, due to the damage the animal can cause to native wildlife, especially species such as the water vole, the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership is undertaking ongoing control programmes in mid-Norfolk and the Broads. Gamekeepers also undertake mink control in order to reduce predation of pheasants and partridge, all of which contributes to the control of this predator.

Mink also hunt water birds, such as moorhen and ducks, and a noticeable decline in numbers of birds may indicate that mink are in the area. Mink are aggressive predators and will overkill prey. They can cause significant damage to housed or penned game birds or poultry by killing large numbers, far more than they can eat, and they may also damage fish stocks.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Muntjac are not native to Britain. They originate from China but were introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in 1838. After escapes and deliberate movement of the deer by humans they have now spread over southern England and are increasing in number. Muntjac are the smallest deer in Britain and are about 45cm at the shoulder. They have a hunched posture due to their haunches being higher than their withers. Their fur is generally brown although they have darker markings on their face which in the male is V shaped and stretches up the pedicles, whereas the females have a dark U or diamond shape. The pedicles are characteristic of the males in this species and are extensions of the skull. These pedicles have short, straight antlers (about 10cm long) extending from them during the autumn. Bucks also have large canine teeth which protrude from the top lip and are used in fighting. Both sexes have black scent glands under both eyes and a large characteristic tail which is held upright when the animal is startled revealing a white underside. You may hear a Muntjac before seeing it as they have a loud and quite distinctive ‘barking’ call.

Muntjac inhabit both deciduous and coniferous woodland with shrubby areas where they can feed on berries, acorns and grasses. They can be seen throughout Norfolk and can sometimes be found visiting gardens with good cover.

Muntjac can be seen at any time of the year. Unlike other deer species in Britain the Muntjac does not have a set rutting season and they will breed all through the year. They are active throughout 24 hours, but dawn and dusk are the best times to see them especially in an area subject to human disturbance.

Mink can be found in and around many Norfolk waterways, including many parts of the Broads and rivers including the Waveney Valley, but their elusive nature makes them difficult to see. They can also be found away from waterways provided prey, such as rabbits, other small mammals and birds, is available.

Mink can be seen throughout the year but generally require either patience or luck to actually spot them. They are active throughout the day.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

It is not possible to trap and/or move otters anywhere within the UK. Otters are protected under the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act and also under European legislation.

Otters are mainly a river dwelling species and it is in their nature to eat fish, eels and crustaceans. About 40-80% of an Otters diet consists of fish with them eating around 1kg a day. An enclosed fishery or pond simply offers a very tempting feeding opportunity for them.

It should be remembered that most still waters stocked with fish are artificial, manipulated environments that support high densities of small fish or small concentrations of very large fish (usually carp) which, from the perspective of the otter, constitute part of its range and provide foraging opportunities. The onus for protecting a fishery against predation falls with the owner, or the club/syndicate using the fishery and in relation to otters this can only effectively be achieved by fencing of a specific design.  Fisheries that are used by the public may be eligible for a grant from the Environment Agency but otherwise the cost is the responsibility of the fishery owner, club or syndicate.

Information on appropriate/effective fencing specifications is available from a number of sources including the Angling Trust, Specialist Anglers Conservation Group, the Environment Agency and Norfolk Wildlife Trust

For smaller garden ponds it may be possible to cover the pond in a mesh or grid to stop the Otter being able to dive down to the fish.

Picture by Linda Deville

Otter populations crashed to near extinction across most of lowland England by the mid 1970’s as a result of pesticide poisoning, loss of habitat and hunting. Otters were released by the Otter Trust in Norfolk between 1984 and 1997 with the approval of the statutory conservation bodies existing at the time; there have been no releases since then (other than orphaned otters which are released by the RSPCA as close as possible to the location that they came from).  It is worth pointing out that since the 1970s, otters have also spread naturally from western lowland England back across the Midlands into eastern England, so the release programme simply speeded up their natural re-colonisation of Norfolk.

Foxes are unlikely to attack cats, and are generally frightened of them.

Although there have been reported instances where foxes have been spotted fighting with cats, it is likely that an adult cat will see off a fox quite easily. However foxes may attack smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs, and these should be kept in secure cages.

You can reduce the risk of any confrontation by keeping your cats indoors at night – this will also prevent your cat predating other wildlife.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Foxes can cause damage by digging shallow holes in lawns, as they forage for food. They are attracted by the presence of worms, beetle larvae, caterpillars etc. If you have placed a fish, blood, or bone meal based fertiliser on your lawn, foxes will be attracted to this since it smells like buried food.

Picture by John Lincoln

The harvest mouse is our smallest rodent, and is the only mouse to build a nest of woven grass above ground.

Harvest mice nests are constructed on stalks of grasses such as cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), common reed or in cereal fields. The nests are found at least 30 cm above ground, and may be higher in tall reeds. They can be as small as 5 cm in diameter for non-breeding nests, and up to 10 cm in diameter for breeding nests.

The outer framework of the nest is constructed by weaving a large number of shredded grass leaves. The nest is then lined by pulling further grasses through the wall until it is densely woven without leaving an obvious entrance. Nests are more conspicuous in winter when the surrounding vegetation has died down.

It is very difficult to stop deer from entering a garden other than erecting a high fence all around which could be quite costly.  
 
However, it has been found that planting clumps of garlic or planting mostly plants that the deer don’t like to eat deters deer from feeding in gardens.
 
The Deer Society has a range of best practice guides to help you to manage deer around your property. You can find more information by following this link www.bds.org.uk

It is common for foxes to build ‘dens’ in gardens and one of the most popular places is under a shed although they will excavate the earth if they need too. They shouldn’t cause any problems being there and it will be wonderful to have such a good view of them when they are most active at dawn and dusk.

If they breed the cubs may play in the garden and have also been known to steal toys. Make sure there are no lose pieces of netting or fencing that the foxes could get tangled in and they should be fine. If you are thinking of feeding your foxes that is ok as they won’t become dependant as there is always plenty of other food for them. They will eat most things but being carnivores meet is best.

There shouldn’t be any problems between your cats and the fox as the two normally would avoid each other as a foxes range in an urban environment could contain up to100 cats. However, if there is an argument cats normal come off best!

Picture by John Lincoln

In Norfolk we have two seals resident, the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seal (Phoca vitulina), which is also known as the common seal.

The grey seal can be distinguished from the harbour seal by its larger size and longer head with a sloping 'roman nose' profile. Looking straight on, their nostrils are parallel, rather than V-shaped as in harbour seals. Mainly grey in colour, the unique pattern of darker blotches and spots can be used to identify individuals.

The harbour seal has a distinct forehead and short muzzle similar to a dog. Harbour seals have V-shaped nostrils. They are very variable in colour, from blonde to black, but generally grey with dark spots.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Grey seals give birth in Norfolk from early November through to the end of January. Unlike the harbour (common) seals which give birth in the summer.

The white pups of the grey seals are fed on the beach by their mothers for three weeks, where they put on approximately 2kgs of weight a day. After three weeks the pup is left by the mother. The pup will remain on the beach on its own whilst it moults its white coat, after which point it will go out to sea to learn to hunt.

It is exceptionally important that mothers are not disturbed during the pupping season, otherwise they could abandon their pups or be unable to feed the pups enough to ensure the pups gain their optimum weight before being left to fend for themselves. It is a hard life being a grey seal pup, with up to 50% of pups dying in their first year.  

If visiting a grey seal colony please follow the guidance issued by Friends of Horsey Seals and the National Trust. Please remember seals are easily disturbed, please keep your distance, follow signs and stick to the recommended viewing areas.

For further information please visit:
National Trust
Friends of Horsey Seals 

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

Harbour seals give birth in the summer, in June and July, to a single pup. This is unlike the grey seal that gives birth in Norfolk in late autumn and winter. When a harbour seal pup is born it is well developed and can swim when it is just a few hours old. The female will feed her pup for three to four weeks on a rich milk which will enable the pup to double its birth weight within a few weeks.

Picture by Elizabeth Dack

The main pupping colonies in Norfolk are at Blakeney Point, which is the largest grey seal pupping area in England and Horsey beach.  

It is exceptionally important that mothers are not disturbed during the pupping season, otherwise they could abandon their pups or be unable to feed the pups enough to ensure the pups gain their optimum weight before being left to fend for themselves.  

If visiting a grey seal colony please follow the guidance issued by Friends of Horsey Seals and the National Trust. Please remember seals are easily disturbed, please keep your distance, follow signs and stick to the recommended viewing areas.

For further information please visit:
National Trust
Friends of Horsey Seals

Picture by Sarah Salmon

Across Norfolk there are a number of organisations who carry out seal rescues. If you find a sick seal please be prepared to give an exact location of where it is located. This can be tricky if you are in a remote location.  There are many apps that will help you pinpoint your location, including What3Words and GPS OS Grid Reference. If you find a sick seal between Horsey and Winterton the groynes all have painted numbers on them so you can use these to pinpoint the location of the seal.

Seal rescue is co-ordinated along the Norfolk Coast, with the different organisations talking to each other so that the closest team can go out to the seal. Here are just a few numbers which will put you in touch with a seal rescue team:

RSPCA - 0300 1234 999
Friends of Horsey Seals – 07706 314514
British Divers Marine Life Rescue – 01825 765546  
Marine and Wildlife Rescue – 01692 650338

Picture by Rachel Box
 

If you find a seal with netting or plastic around a part of its body please phone one of the Norfolk seal rescue teams. Please be prepared to give an exact location of where it is located. This can be tricky if you are in a remote location.  There are many apps that will help you pinpoint your location, including What3Words and GPS OS Grid Reference. If you find a sick seal between Horsey and Winterton the groynes all have painted numbers on them so you can use these to pinpoint the location of the seal.

Seal rescue is co-ordinated along the Norfolk Coast, with the different organisations talking to each other so that the closest team can go out to the seal. Here are just a few numbers which will put you in touch with a seal rescue team:

RSPCA - 0300 1234 999
Friends of Horsey Seals – 07706 314514
British Divers Marine Life Rescue – 01825 765546  
Marine and Wildlife Rescue – 01692 650338

Please note it is not always possible to rescue an adult seal which is necklaced – has plastic, rope or netting around its neck – as they may retreat to the sea when approached by a rescue team. The rescue teams will, however, monitor the seals and try their best to rescue them.

 Picture by Emma Allard

Harbour seal (also known as common seals) pups are born during June and July, and are taken out to sea by the female within a few hours of being born. If you find a pup in the summer on its own it may be that it has been abandoned, so please phone a seal rescue team for advice.

Grey seal pups are born in the winter (November through to the end of January), and need to remain on the beach for the first few weeks of their life whilst they feed and moult their non-waterproof white coat. A lone seal pup at this time of year does not necessarily mean it has been abandoned. Females are known to leave their pups for short periods of time, and after three weeks the weaned pups will be left by their mothers, but will stay on the beach on their own whilst they moult. The pupping colonies at Blakeney Point and between Horsey and Winterton are regularly monitored by wardens, so it is probably safe to assume someone will be keeping an eye on them.

If you find a seal pup outside these colonies that is on its own and appears to be in a vulnerable position or looks sickly, please keep your distance and phone one of the following numbers:

RSPCA - 0300 1234 999
Friends of Horsey Seals – 07706 314514
British Divers Marine Life Rescue – 01825 765546  
Marine and Wildlife Rescue – 01692 650338

Picture by Jacqueline Harrup