An upsetting discovery when I headed out into the garden in the dawn gloom to top up the bird food. A Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus was lying dead in the metal seed tray. Although mainly nocturnal I’ve watched a pair of them on a number of occasions in the early morning since last November. Usually just a quick glimpse as they quickly run out from their hidey hole under the bottom of the fence, grab a piece of fat ball or seed before scurrying back behind the apple tree and under fence again. Their lifespan is a mere 1.5yrs, not left wanting for food let’s hope it merely died of old age, it certainly looked peaceful as if sleeping. ‘Corpse of the Day’ posed nicely on the Ivy at the base of the apple tree.
If you are interested in the wildlife of the north-west of England and would like to join the walks and coach trips run by the Merseyside Naturalists’ Association, see the main MNA website for details of our programme and how to join us.