Mousie

Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

We had an unexpected visitor to the ground under our bird feeders yesterday — a Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). It was unexpected only in that we saw it during the day; this species is common and widespread in gardens (and a wide variety of other habitats) right across the UK. However, it's typically nocturnal, and thus not often seen. We've known for years that these little rodents are around, as we've caught some in the house. (We have live traps baited with raisins in the loft over our office, and have transplanted an astounding TEN to appropriately distant woodlands this winter.) This one appeared to be a youngster, and it was surprisingly unwary. I elbowed my way across the garden commando-style and got within a couple of yards of it. No doubt it was distracted by all of those leftover seeds!

The Wood Mouse is similar to a House Mouse, but is browner (rather than grey) with a white belly, and has larger ears and eyes. Adults measure 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) in body length, with a tail almost equally long. They're good climbers, as evidenced by the fact that they've reached our loft. But most live in underground burrows, where they also have food stores and nesting chambers. They're prolific reproducers, with females capable of bearing up to six litters a year of 4-8 young. Most live no more than a year. They're key food for Tawny Owls, which we've also seen in the garden. If the number of Wood Mice in their territory falls too low, the owls may not even breed.