Research Diaries #2 - July 2025

In this second instalment of our Research Diaries series, Research and Conservation Coordinator Sophie gives us an insight into her monthly small mammal trapping activity. 

Sophie:

At Knowsley Safari, we conduct small mammal trapping surveys every month from April to September. These help us build a database of the different native rodent species living on the estate, allowing us to monitor both species diversity and population trends. 

On the last Thursday of each month, a small team gathers in the evening, just as the Safari closes and the final visitors head home. Armed with crates of tube traps and site markers, we make our way to our regular woodland survey site, often chatting about recent wildlife sightings along the way (usually updates on birds and chick broods!). 

Once in the woodland, we begin setting out 40 tube traps across five locations. These areas include bracken, bramble, and long grass, and we always try our best not to get snagged in the thorns! Each pair of traps is placed in the undergrowth, with a site marker (a cane topped with red tape) placed between them to help us locate them the next morning. We use the same number of traps in the same locations each time to ensure our data remains consistent and comparable. 

Now, the word “trapped” might sound alarming, but rest assured, the tube traps we use are completely humane and cause no harm. Each one is filled with hay for bedding and stocked with food, making them a cosy and tempting place to explore. Once a small mammal enters, a door gently closes behind it, keeping it safe from predators and giving it a quiet, dry place to rest overnight - with a full buffet on offer! 

Once all the traps are set, we usually pause at Mizzy Dam, our on-site lake, to enjoy a spot of birdwatching with our binoculars before heading home. The next morning, it’s an early start – we're out for 7am to begin checking the traps. 

Using our red tape markers, we quickly locate the traps and open each one inside a large clear plastic bag. This setup allows any animal inside to leave the trap but remain visible, so we can safely observe and record important details: species, sex, estimated life stage, and any distinguishing features like ear notches or unique markings. 

This month we mostly found mice. Sadly, there were no bank voles (my personal favourite), but we did find two common shrews, which more than made up for it. It's rare to spot two shrews in one session! By 8am, with all traps checked and equipment packed away, it's time for our volunteers to head off. 

I’m lucky to be joined by Tony Parker, our expert small mammal survey volunteer. Tony has been leading these sessions at Knowsley Safari for over 10 years, and his knowledge is invaluable. 

After serving 35 years as Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at World Museum, Liverpool, Tony is now County Mammal Recorder for Northwest England. He verifies regional mammal data and helps ensure the accuracy of local records. 

Tony:  

“I started small mammal trapping at Knowsley Safari over 10 years ago to determine which species were present and where. So far, we’ve recorded seven species, including harvest mouse and water shrew, but wood mice and bank voles are by far the most common. 

“Small mammals are notoriously hard to survey -they’re nocturnal, tiny, and tend to stay hidden, so our understanding of their distribution is limited. Trapping allows us to observe them more closely than any other method. Over the years, we’ve trained many staff and volunteers in how to trap and handle small mammals responsibly. 

“Small mammal trapping is vital to monitoring local biodiversity. It helps us keep track of how many individuals we find, what age groups are represented, and whether numbers are shifting over time - early signs of potential ecological changes.”