Mammals at Home

The Wild Mammals at Home Project ran in 2021 and 2022 and was established to highlight the wildlife that lives in close proximity to people and communities in the Galloway Glens area. Wild mammals such as Pine Martens, Otters, Badgers, Roe Deer, Hedgehogs, Foxes and bats are seldom seen because of their nocturnal lifestyle, but the project loaned trail cameras and bat detectors to local residents, and provided expert advice, to enable these species to be observed and recorded by participants. The project was supported by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership and built on the successful Galloway Glens funded Moths at Home Project.

Cameras and bat detectors were loaned to interested residents in the Galloway Glens area. The SWSEIC Project Officer visited all sites and assisted with advice and placing of equipment. Bat detectors were left in place for 1-3 nights, trail cameras for up to 3 months, before being collected by the Project Officer. Trail cameras were located at 19 sites and the bat detector at 14 sites within the following areas: Carsphairn, Dalry, New Galloway, Balmaclellan, Crossmichael, Mossdale, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright and Borgue. A total of 21-27 terrestrial mammal species was recorded as a result of the project (it was not possible to distinguish between records of Field/Bank Voles and Common/Pygmy Shrews, and between some of the bat species recorded). Notable records included Pine Martens, Otters and Water Shrews. A further 37/38 species of birds were also recorded on the camera traps, along with a single species of amphibian.

A video summarising the project is available on the SWSEIC YouTube page.

A copy of the project report can be downloaded here: Wild Mammals at Home Final Report.