Environmental Records Centre
for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Celebrating Cornwall's Mammals
from dormice to dolphins!

Project review

June 2006 marks the last year of the ‘Celebrating Cornwall’s mammals – from dormice to dolphins!’ Project. Looking at the number of mammal records we have received so far it is safe to say that the Project is fulfilling its aim of raising awareness of mammals in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The table below shows the total number of records held for each mammal species at the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS), the number of records per species received since the 1st of January 2003 and what percentage this equates of the total number of records.

A brief look at the table shows us that since the ‘Celebrating Cornwall’s Mammals’ Project began we have had nearly a quarter of all mammal records ever received by ERCCIS. This is very encouraging and goes to show what a lot of hard work you have put in. You can also view this information as individual species maps.

Note: Please note that these figures are only a rough guide as we are still receiving records for previous years and not all the records are on the database yet. We have also included records made six months previous to the Project for ease of analysis. These figures do not include Bats or Marine Mammals.

A closer look reveals that some species records in particular have benefited, such as  small mammals – with nearly a 50% increase in records for certain species. The Project has held numerous events including small mammal trapping and Barn Owl pellet analysis workshops, which have contributed towards this increase in records. 

However there are some small mammal species still desperately lacking records, such as the Harvest Mouse. This is probably because their habitat preferences are more specific than other mice, and being so small their field signs are difficult to come across, let alone see! Looking at the larger picture, this species is thought to be in decline nationally.

In contrast the records for easier mammals to record have increased, including Grey Squirrel (they are so easy to see, especially on bird tables), and Moles (by their distinctive Mole hills). Badger, Fox and Rabbit records have increased because the animals themselves and their tracks and signs (especially droppings) are so easy to see – as we have seen on many of the guided mammal walks we have run. Historically the Otter has been the most recorded mammal species because of large survey efforts. We are currently awaiting recent survey results, hence this species appearing more under recorded in recent years.

There are still a handful of species desperately lacking records; including the American Mink and the Brown Hare. The Mink is a non-native species and often seen as a pest so people don’t think it is important to record it. This year the Cornwall Wildlife Trust is starting a Mink Monitoring Programme.

The Brown Hare is not particularly easy to see and it is thought that there generally aren’t huge numbers in Cornwall.

As well as certain species lacking records there are also a handful of 10x10km squares lacking mammal records in general. You can see from the map of Cornwall where these gaps are, we need your help to try and fill them.

Many thanks to everybody who has sent in mammal records please keep sending them in. In this last year of the Project we desperately need as many records as possible to fill in the gaps. By filling in the gaps we can find out more about population distributions, specific threats and habitat preferences. This in turn helps us work towards conserving our mammal species and the habitats they live in.

10km x 10km squares needing
targeting for all mammal species

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