National Mammal Week

National Mammal Week is a week-long, annual event run by The Mammal Society. This year, it’ll runs from 9th to 15th October 2023. The week aims to bring awareness to mammals and their conservation in Great Britain, with a range of activities, es, blogs and webinars to encourage the public to get involved. The UK is home to a variety of wild mammal species, from the smallest common shrew all the way up to the largest grey seal. We have 44 native species, 7 introduced species that are considered naturalised, and 7 more that are more recent introductions. However, as shown by the Mammal Society’s Red List for Britain’s Mammals, a quarter of these species are threatened with extinction. 45% are in need for urgent action.

According to the Mammal Society, the geographical ranges of 18 species has increased since 1995 and 9 have declined but 22 remained stable. Population size for 15 increased since 1995 and 9 have declined but 4 remained stable. 30 species had a lack of data preventing the assessment of their population sizes and 14 for the assessment of their geographical ranges. There are a variety of drivers of these changes, including habitat and prey reduction dur to agricultural intensification and urban development, climate change impacting weather and seasonal patterns, artificial light, pollution, roads, wind turbines, and much more. Without proper ecological surveys and monitoring, mitigation strategies would likely not be suitable, therefore conservation would be unlikely to be successful.

This year the theme is: Exploring Mammal Connections. This week is the perfect time to reflect on how mammals connect with your life and the importance and beauty of the mammals sharing our landscapes and strengthening the ecosystems across the British Isles.

Last year, the theme was ‘recording mammals around you’, as mammals are some of the most under-recorded species in Britain. Here at GES, recording mammals is a huge part of our remit. From bat emergence surveys and transects to badger and otter monitoring, water vole assessments to dormouse surveys, mammals are often a part of our daily (and nightly!) workings. As one in four of our native mammals are threatened with extinction, and many others in decline, it is incredibly important that they are recorded and monitored, to reduce or mitigate any impacts on them by development. The data we record also provides incredibly important information, as it can help to detect changes in their ranges and population sizes.

Recording mammals is also a great way to get connected with nature. There are a number of minimally invasive ways that you can record mammals, including footprint tunnels, camera traps, using bat detectors and looking for tracks and signs in your surroundings. For more information, check out the Mammal Society website to explore the ways you can get involved.

In 2021, the theme was ‘Harvest Mice and Other Wildlife Under the Rader’, focusing on the declining harvest mouse, whose population is thought to be threatened due to habitat loss and changes in farming practices. As it is difficult to estimate the conservation status for the harvest mice, key data on actual population size and habitat is limited, therefore targeted and effective conservation is difficult. National Mammal Week 2021 therefore aimed to promote better recording of data on species that have the least reliable population estimates, as this can help gain a better understanding of their population and therefore how to better implement the right strategies to manage their populations.

GES – What We Do:
We offer an array of mammal surveys, with our surveyors proficient in the use of industry-standard survey techniques and this experience ensures all surveys and reports meet the stringent requirements of the planning authorities and Natural England. From bat scoping, summer emergence and roost inspections to. We also offer habitat suitability assessments, presence/likely absence surveys, ongoing habitat maintenance and monitoring for dormice, water voles, otters and badgers. Additionally, our services include translocation exercises for dormouse and water voles, sett and holt construction for badgers and otters and more.

We believe firmly that the development of a strong client relationship is key to effective project management, we work closely with clients and each project is issued with a Project Lead who is here to help guide you through your project, whether it be for residential or commercial development, river maintenance, utilities works, renewable energy builds, we are here to help.