0016 : It Isn't Just Birds.... (22/1/14)


                                          Badger (recently deceased)
                                          Red Squirrel
                                          Pipistrelle Bat
                                          Mountain Hare
                                          Hedgehog
                                          Brown Rat
                                          Red Deer
                                          Water Vole
                                          Common Frog
                                          Roe Deer
                                          Rabbit
                                          Red Fox
                                          Bank Vole
                                          Brown Hare
                                          Otter
                                          Toad
                                          Stoat

When I'm out and about looking for, and hopefully finding, birds, I sometimes chance upon other wildlife. Mammals such as Rabbits and Squirrels being the most common, even within the city, but it is surprising just how often that other mammals like Deer, Fox or Otter are the animals encountered.

Smaller rodents such as rats, mice, voles and shrews will also be around but tend to be glimpsed fleetingly at best, or more usually are found dead. Roadkill can be the likeliest chance of seeing species such as Badger up close, with rather surprising numbers of these large animals in certain areas going unseen until one is unlucky enough to be struck by traffic on the roads.

Frogs and Toads are generally found in wetter areas, although at times in the summer, Toadlets in particular are hard to miss at locations like Morton Lochs in Fife where thousands of them are around on, and along the edges of the pathways.

Other species you may encounter around Tayside and Fife in addition to those pictured above include Grey Squirrel (unfortunately a bit too common in certain places to the detriment of their smaller Red native cousins), American Mink (another unwelcome addition to the Scottish fauna), Weasel, Pine Marten (still rare but increasing - I've yet to see one), Wood Mouse, House Mouse, Mole (more likely to see their molehills than an actual above ground Mole), Beaver (another (re)introduced species, Adder, Slow Worm, Common Lizard and Newt species.


As always, keeping your eyes, and ears (and nose - in the case of foxes with their distinctive smell) open can result in some nice wildlife encounters. Animals, just like most birds, don't always appear to associate cars with humans so it can be possible to watch from a parked vehicle while the animals go about their business seemingly unconcerned. Hides at nature reserves can also be great for viewing animals as well as birds.