Three fine mice

A fun morning nest box checking with the Surrey Dormouse Group earlier today, in beautiful, sunny autumn conditions in a local woodland. The highlight was a first-year male Hazel Dormouse – one of Britain's more iconic mammals that has suffered a long-term decline.

Hazel Dormouse being weighed.

Also cool to see were two Yellow-necked Mice. Although doubtless under recorded, they aren't a common species in Britain and this pair represented a (live) mammal first for me. They are very similar to Wood Mouse, but are larger, have bulgier eyes and bigger ears and, diagnostically, a continuous yellow band across the chest.

Yellow-necked Mouse.

For good measure we also had a few Wood Mice – three fine mouse species (well, two and a dormouse).

Wood Mouse.

Four Hawfinches flew over as well, as the mini-influx begins to show signs of being something larger. Two Marsh Tits and a cronking Raven were also noted.