In October 2024, a Small Mammal Survey was carried out in the College grounds, organised by Churchill College Sustainability By-Fellow, Emma Boland, and Peter Pilbeam of the Cambridgeshire Mammal Group.
The College surveys the flora, butterflies and birds on its grounds, but small mammals is an area previously not formally explored. Emma Boland initiated the survey so that a benchmark can be set to monitor the biodiversity and health of mammal populations on site.
Staff, Fellows and students met in the early evening to set twenty Longworth traps around the 42 acres of grounds and gardens, across a range of habitat types. The traps were set with bedding (hay) and food, and then checked first thing in the morning.
It was a crisp autumn morning as staff, students and Fellows accompanied Peter on his rounds to check the traps. A good number of animals had been caught, and each was weighed and sexed. The animals were all released where they were caught, and all traps were then removed.
Wood voles, bank voles and field voles were detected, with 11 traps having occupants, a catch-rate of 55%. One trap had been pulled apart by either a badger or a fox, both of which are known to live in or visit the College grounds.
Emma said, “Biodiversity is a key part of the College’s Sustainability Strategy, and the Grounds and Gardens team have worked hard for many years to make the college more wildlife friendly. As part of my role as Sustainability By-Fellow, I’m really pleased to be able to organise the first of hopefully many new surveys of the diverse species living on site, engaging students and staff with the amazing environment we are lucky enough to enjoy here.”
