Mammals

Moor Green Lakes and the adjacent area supports a good number of mammals. The more conspicuous mammals are regularly seen and reported on the sightings sheets in the hides. It is difficult to spend a few hours at the site and not see Roe Deer, Rabbits and Grey Squirrels, and with luck a Fox. The population of small mammals can only be assessed reliably by trapping; the most recent trapping survey was in 2005 when a high number of Wood Mice were recorded, but few of the other small mammals that would be expected.

Earlier trapping surveys and secondary evidence suggests that there is a good population of small mammals present in the less disturbed areas. An analysis of Barn Owl pellets from the winter of 2005/06 indicated that Common Shrews were the main food source. A resident pair of Kestrels feed mainly on small mammals. Harvest Mouse nests are regularly found during winter work parties; four in 2006/07.  Water Voles were reported twice in 2005. American Mink (that are generally blamed for the decline of Water Voles) are regularly reported and could have been responsible for the disastrous breeding record of Terns and Gulls on Tern Island in 2006.

There are lots of special boxes on the trees along the paths to supplement the natural roosting and hibernation sites for Bats. The latest Bat survey of the Reserve was done in 2002 when five species were recorded, most numerous were Common and Soprano Pipistrelle. Daubenton's and Noctule were present and Brown Long-eared Bats were recorded in small numbers. Natterer's Bats are almost certainly present and have been recorded in Finchampstead Ridges just north of the Reserve.