THORNE MOORS MAMMAL RECORDS 2000


Bryan P. Wainwright


Common Shrew Sorex araneus
25th August    1 dead colliery area

 


Pygmy Shrew Sorex minutus
14th August    1 dead colliery area
09th September           1 dead Fisons' Road

 


Water Shrew Neomys fodiens
25th August    1 dead Middle Moor Tram near Mill Drain Marsh (BPW)

 


Mole Talapa europaea
Moles are evident on areas of warpland at the moors edge and less frequent in the pure peat areas. 
01st May                     1 dead Canal Towpath 

 


Red Fox Vulpes vulpes  
Widespread and frequently encountered, though far fewer records than usual. 
02nd January   1 Jones Cable
23rd January   1 flooded workings
06th February  1 Fisons’ Road
19th March                  1 Shoulder o’ Mutton
24th March                  1 Mill Drain Marsh
19th April                    1 Will Pits
10th June                     1 Shoulder o’ Mutton Tram
25th June             1 with Mallard Anas platyrhynchos prey, Pony Bridge Tram. 1 later flooded workings
16th July              1 Shoulder o’ Mutton
23rd July             1 flooded workings
06th August        1 edge of Will Pits
08th August    1 Shearburn and Pitts drain
23rd August    1 Crowle
04th September           1 Fisons' Road
08th September           1 Woodpecker Corner
15th October   1 Goole Moor
10th December            1 colliery area
26th December            1 flooded workings
29th December            1 Green Belt
30th December            1 Will Pits

 


Stoat Mustela erminea
06th May                     1 Swinefleet Warping Drain at Will Pits
28th June                     1 Swinefleet Peatworks 
10th August    1 Axholme Joint Railway

 


Weasel Mustela nivalis  
18th June                     1 colliery area
30th August    1 public footpath, colliery area
07th September           1 public footpath, colliery area
29th October   1 at Will Pits
29th December            1 Fisons' Road

 


Badger Meles meles 
There was evidence of a fourth sett, (refer to 1995) in use in 2000 and it is thought that two of these were still active. Information witheld from publication.

 


Reeves’ Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi 
One was reliably identified in a field north of Whaley Balk on 28th July 2000. (J. Snowden, I. Snowden, J. Durrant).

 


Red Deer Cervus elaphus
19th July                     1 hind
07th October   1 young stag Swinefleet Warping Drain
08th October   3, 1 stag bellowing ‘Middle Moor’, 1 stag and 1 hind Will Pits Scrape
10th December            1 hind and 2 calves (age: 1 this year’s, other probably last years) 

 


Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus
03rd January   1 Elmhirst wood 
12th February 1 
13th February 4 fields near Paraffin
20th February  1 Will Pits
04th March      1 near Alders
19th March                  2, (a pair) Mill Drain Marsh 
24th March                  3 does Shoulder o' Mutton Tram
26th March                  2 Will Pits
21st April                    2 colliery fields area
30th April                    1 Southern Canals
01st May                     1 Green Belt
05th May                     1 Goole Moor
13th May                     1 Will Pits
21st May                     1 Will Pits
04th June                     1 doe Will Pits
18th June                     2 bucks field near colliery
25th June                     2, 1 buck Pony Bridge Marsh, 1 doe Will Pits
23rd July                     2, 1 doe and 1 fawn Shoulder o' Mutton Tram to Fisons’ Road
22nd August   1 
23rd August    8 Crowle fields
25th August    1 colliery area
31st August     5 fields near Paraffin
04th September           2, 1 colliery area, 1 doe elsewhere      
19th October   2 Crowle
27th October   6, 1 W edge, 3 Woodpecker Corner Tram, 2 Green Belt
15th December            2 Pony Bridge Marsh
19th December            1 colliery area
22nd December           5, 1 Green Belt, 4 flooded workings in open
29th December            1 Will Pits

 


Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis 
03rd January   1 Will Pits
27th October   1 Woodpecker Corner
19th November           2 colliery area
18th December            3 Woodpecker Corner
22nd December           1 Woodpecker Corner

 


Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus
This species favours wooded areas, as opposed to Field Vole Microtus agrestis, which prefers more open habitats.
14th July                     1 colliery area; a reddish colored vole ran across path near Bell’s Wood

 


Water Vole Arviola terrestris 
No real change in status, despite (uncommon) reports of American Mink Mustela vison
02nd February             1 colliery public footpath dike, chewing willow bark
22nd March     1 Pony Bridge Marsh              

26th March          2, 1 western edge between Bells Pond and Woodpecker Corner. 1 Mill Drain Marsh


16th April                    2, 1 Casson’s Marsh, 1 flooded working N of Green Belt
23rd April                   1 western edge between Bells Pond and Woodpecker Corner
27th April                    1 Will Pits
22nd May                    1 colliery area
04th June                     1 flooded workings
25th June                     1 steel entrance bridge
19th July                     3
03rd August    2, 1 colliery public footpath dike, 1 metal bridge 
22nd August   2, 1 colliery public footpath dike, 1 metal bridge 
25th August    2, 1 metal bridge, 1 Mill Drain 
04th September           up to 7, 4 Thorne generally, 3 from blue bridge E along Mill Drain
07th September           1 Shoulder o' Mutton dyke
08th September           3, 2 south western edge ditch colliery area, 1 blue bridge Mill Drain09th September           2, 1 Shearburn and Pitts Drain, 1 Mill Drain
20th September           2 from blue bridge E along Mill Drain
19th October   4 south end of Thorne Moors
25th December            1 colliery area
26th December            1 colliery area

 


Brown Hare Lepus campensis
Usually seen in peripheral fields, at the flooded workings or other open areas such as Will Pits Scrape. In January, one on 1st, and two on 2nd. In February, there was one on 13th and two on 20th. In March, there was one on 19th, and two on 26th. In April, there was one on 24th, and there were two on 30th and none in May. In June, there were four on 10th, five on 7th and one on 25th. In July, there was one on 14th and four on 19th. In August, there were three on 10th, one on 31st and none in September. In October, there was one on 1st, 15th and 29th and none in November. In December there were two on 31st.

 


Rabbit Oryctolagus coniculus 
Rabbits are commonly met with around the colliery and along the public footpath and at Will Pits. On the moors the mounds of cleared vegetation and earth make excellent areas for warrens. There were no signs of myxomatosis this year. There was one on 2nd January and none in February. In March, present on 19th, 22nd and 24th. In April, there were three on 19th, present on 23rd, seven on 24th, two on 26th, and six on 30th. In May, there were three on 1st, six on 6th and a few on 21st. In June, there were four on 4th, 10 on 25th and a few on 28th. In July, there was one on 2nd, and five on 16th and seven on 23rd. In August, they were present on 6th, four on 8th, seven on 23rd and six on 31st. In September, there were four on 4th, three on 8th and eight on 9th. In October, there was one on 1st, five on 15th, and two on 27th and none in November. In December there was one on 18th, 22nd and 26th, and two on 29th.

 


List of Observers  

Richard Atterby, Kevin Bull, Peter Hinks, John G. Hitchcock, Martin Limbert, Frank Oates, Stanley Oates, Brian Pepper, Richard J. Sprakes, Bryan P. Wainwright, Jonathan Ward, Richard Ward.

 

 

 

 

 

THORNE MOORS MAMMAL RECORDS 2001


Bryan P. Wainwright
Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus
24th June                     1 at the houses at Creykes crossing (not peat moor)

 


Common Shrew Sorex araneus
12th January    1 dead colliery area
02nd September          1 dead

 


Mole Talapa europaea

Moles are evident on areas of warpland at the moors edge especially Will Pits but are less frequent in the pure peat areas.


04th July                     1 dead Jones Cable

 


Daubenton’s Bat Myotis daubentonii
30th June             3 Canals and ‘Middle Moor’ a medium sized bat with pale underbelly flying at around 6-10 m in lines at 23.30
06th July                     4 Canals and ‘Middle Moor’

 


Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 
29th June                     1 at the southern end of the Yorkshire Triangle

 


Red Fox Vulpes vulpes  

Widespread and frequently encountered, though far fewer records than usual.


15th January        1 flooded workings
28th January    1 Shoulder o’ Mutton
06th May                     1 Limberlost Tram
17th June                     2, 1 Collis’s Tram, 1 (night) Fisons' Road 
24th June             1 Will Pits
28th June             1 Will Pits
29th June             1 Will Pits
09th July              1 very small cub wobbled onto Fisons' Road at Will Pits
18th July              1 Shearburn & Pitts Drain at the flooded workings
22nd July             1 on western edge between the new metal gate and Jones Cable at 8.21
24th July              1 flooded workings
29th July              1 male, flooded workings caught a Moorhen, other birds Ruff Philomachus pugnax and Northern LapwingsVanellus vanellus sat tight or froze as this happened (RJS) 
28th August        2, 1 colliery area by metal entrance bridge, 1 Limberlost Tram near peat mound at 14.40 
29th August    1 flooded workings 
02nd September          1 Fisons' Road at 16.40
16th December            1 Will Pits 
29th December            1 Fisons' Road at Will Pits

 


Stoat Mustela erminea
28th August    1 Jones Cable

 


Badger Meles meles 

Information witheld from publication.


13th May             1 adult in fields near to the south end of Casson’s on the south side of drain directly south of Thorne Waste Drain at 4.00 in the morning, as it just became light. It was flushed (accidentally by a playful Alsatian) from the c.40 cm high wheat and ran east along the farm track before crossing the drain to the small field that adjoined the peat moor at Casson’s (BPW)
06th June             1 adult Moor Road before bend at river near Rawcliffe Bridges 23.35 at night (BPW)
30th June             1 along the approach road from Goole Fields to Fisons’ Mill (disused) seen by visitors from car at night

 


Red Deer Cervus elaphus
29th April                    8 (including 2 adult males) at fields south east of Pony Bridge Wood then in to Pony Bridge Wood
30th April                    15 at fields south east of Pony Bridge Wood 
06th May                     2, a male (with half grown antlers) and female between Limberlost and Pony Bridge Wood
21st May                     6 Crowle fields east of Pony Bridge Wood
17th June                     1 female Will Pits
02nd September          1 male Will Pits
29th September           1 male bellowing Fisons' Road at Will Pits Scrape
08th October   1 male Will Pits
11th October   1 male Will Pits 
12th October   1 male Will Pits 
13th October   1 male Will Pits 
15th October   1 male Will Pits 
17th October   1 male Will Pits 

 


Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus
01st January    10, 8 (including 2 males with antlers in velvet) Alders, 2 Will Pits
05th January    1 male Paraffin 
03rd April                   4 Green Belt and colliery area
08th April                    2, 1 male Crowle Moor fields, 1 female Woodpecker Corner 
09th April                    9, 1 Rawcliffe Moor, 3 Fisons' Road, 1 Will Pits Scrape, 2 males Pony Bridge Wood, 1 Green Belt, 1 colliery area 
13th April            1 Fisons' Road
18th April                    1 Pony Bridge Marsh
20th April                    1 Pony Bridge Marsh
21st April                    3 Will Pits
29th April                    1 Creykes
30th April                    6
01st May                     2 Fisons' Road
02nd May                    2 Fisons' Road 
06th May                     5 (including 2 males with antlers)
09th May                     3
16th May                     4 Fisons' Road at Green Belt
21st May                     3, 1 Crowle Moor, 2 Fisons' Road at Green Belt
28th May                     2
03rd June                    1 
08th June                     Will Pits 
11th June                     4, 1 Fisons' Road, 1 Will Pits, 1 Mill Drain Marsh and 1 Goole Moor
14th June                     3
23rd June                    2 a male and female at Will Pits Scrape
24th June                     3, 2 Will Pits, 1 male Fisons' Road at Green Belt/Paraffin area with broken right front leg and hobbling
29th June                     4, 1 Will Pits, 1 male Fisons' Road at Green Belt/Paraffin area with broken right front leg and hobbling, 2 an adult female with half grown fawn at Swinefleet Warping Drain at Pony Bridge Marsh
30th June                     1 Will Pits
06th July                     3, 1 Green Belt, 2 Will Pits
09th July                     1 Will Pits
12th July                     1 Paraffin
07th August    2 flooded workings
10th August    1 male with full antlers flooded workings
24th August    3 females near Woodpecker Corner
08th October   1 female Will Pits
10th October   1 Paraffin
11th October   1 male Will Pits
13th October   3, 1 male and 2 females Green Belt
18th November           2 females fields near Woodpecker Corner 
25th November           3 south western edge of moors path
27th November           2 Elmhirst Wood
16th December            1 Will Pits
17th December            1 old ride Will Pits
23rd December           1 Goole Moor

 


Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis 
05th January    1 colliery area
10th September   1 stood on a stump in the open area of the flooded workings a long way from woodland

 


Water Vole Arviola terrestris 
No real change in status, despite (uncommon) reports of American Mink Mustela vison
15th January    heard Rhododendron Path
03rd April                   1 metal entrance bridge colliery area 
28th April                    1 metal entrance bridge colliery area
25th July                     1 metal entrance bridge colliery area 
24th August    1 metal entrance bridge colliery area 
12th September   ditch alongside public footpath from Moorends Recreation Ground to the colliery area
20th October   1 drain between colliery area and Bell’s Wood
18th December            1 metal entrance bridge colliery area

 


Brown Hare Lepus campensis
The main area this year for sightings was at the north western side of the moors and the fields about Creykes Crossing. Otherwise seen in peripheral fields, at the flooded workings or other open areas such as Will Pits Scrape. There were two on 1st January. No records for February and March and in April, one on 9th, two on 20th and 5 on 29th. For May there were, three on 1st and 2nd, five on 7th, seven on 9th, one on 16th and one on 28th. June, there were three on 11th and 17th, two on 19th, one on 24th, 26th and 29t and three on 30th. In July, there were two on 2nd, four on 6th, three on 12th, two on 16th, one on 18th and two on 24th. No records for August, then one on 29th September and one on 13th and 29th October. One on 18th November and in December there was one on 16th, two on 22nd and one on 29th.

 


Rabbit Oryctolagus coniculus 
Rabbits are commonly met with around the colliery and along the public footpath and at Will Pits. On the moors the mounds of peat or earth make excellent areas for warrens. There were signs of myxomatosis this year as on 12th December when one was observed at Creykes with this disease (ML). At Will Pits alone 10+ were frequent and there were this number almost daily throughout April and into May with 20 there on 9th May. A count from all around the moors on 28th May produced 20+, and on this date a young rabbit was seen to jump into a ditch at Creykes gate and swim across after been startled by the observer. High counts included 21+ on 29th June when there were three at Rawcliffe Moor, 12 at Will Pits and six at Goole Moor, the maximum however was of 30+ on 6th July from all around the moors. 

 


List of Observers
Kevin Bull, Steve Hiner, Peter Hinks, Martin Limbert, David Nicholson, Richard J. Sprakes, Bryan P. Wainwright.

 

 

 


THORNE MOORS MAMMAL RECORDS 2002

Bryan P. Wainwright

Western Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus
12th July                     1 along the track through arable fields to Creykes gate (not peat moor)

 


Common Shrew Sorex araneus
Present but no records received.

 


Water Shrew Neomys fodiens
12th June                     under sleepers at English Nature’s shed Will Pits Scrape (SH)

 


Mole Talapa europaea

Moles are evident on areas of warpland at the moors edge especially Will Pits but are less frequent in the pure peat areas.

 

 

 

Bats

Without a bat detector the identity of bats cannot be known for certain in the field but with experience and knowledge of which bats species occur locally, educated guesses can be made.

 


Whiskered Bat Myotis mystacinus
16th June                     3 north end of Crowle Moor along edge of taller birch scrub, pale bellied small to medium size (smaller than those at ‘Middle Moor’ area and faster flight) (BPW)

 


Daubenton’s Bat Myotis daubentonii
22nd July             1 Angle Drain, similar to Whiskered but larger and flight slower (BPW)

 


Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 
31st March                  2 public footpath, colliery area at dusk

 


Red Fox Vulpes vulpes  

Widespread and frequently encountered, though far fewer records than usual.


01st January        1 on ice at flooded workings
04th January    3, 1 southern track, 1 Will Pits, 1 flooded workings
24th March                  1 edge of Crowle Moor
29th March                  1 flooded workings
04th April                    1 Middle Moor Tram
27th April                    1 Will Pits Scrape
03rd May                    1 in water at the edge of the Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus colony north of Shoulder o’ Mutton
04th May                     1 cross paths at east end Canal Tow Path 
07th May             1 Bell’s Pond
23rd May                    1 Green Belt Scrape
26th May                     1 Pony Bridge Marsh
27th May             1 ‘Middle Moor’
14th June                     1 Fisons’ Road at Swinefleet Warping Drain
05th July                     1 Bell’s Pond
26th July                     1 Pony Bridge Marsh
18th August    1 flooded workings
26th August    1 Will Pits
01st September           1 Jones Cable 
16th September           1 south western boundary of the moors
23rd September   3, 1 cross paths at east end Canal Tow Path, 1 ‘Middle Moor’ 1 Blackwater Dike
01st October   1 Fisons’ Road
20th October   2, 1 hunting along Fisons’ Road, 1 Will Pits
24th November           1 Jones Cable
31st December            2, 1 south western edge, 1 Pony Bridge Marsh

 


Stoat Mustela erminea
29th March                  1 hunting near metal entrance bridge, colliery area
30th March                  1 alongside of Fisons’ Road
23rd May                    1 Mill Drain Marsh
31st May                     1 Canal Tow Path near observation platform
01st June                     1 Canal Tow Path near observation platform
12th August    1 small one Fisons’ Road at flooded workings
02nd September          1 at mounds at the flooded workings19th October   1 large one public footpath, colliery area hunting Rabbits

 


Weasel Mustela nivalis
04th April                    1 Jones Cable
24th August    1 dead Creykes gate
04th October   1 public footpath to Jones Cable, colliery area

 


Badger Meles meles 

Information witheld from publication.

 

 


Red Deer Cervus elaphus
13th March                  2 males ditch ride, Will Pits
07th April                    1 hind ‘Middle Moor’ near Will Pits Scrape
14th April            1 in velvet Casson’s Marsh
25th April            3 Elmhirst area including 2 males (1 in velvet) and a female
27th May                     2 young males Will Pits mid-afternoon, 1 had stumps the other long prongs for antlers
21st July              1 male and 1 female edge of Will Pits 19.30
01st September    2 males and a female edge of Will Pits
15th September   2 females Blackwater Dike 15.30
26th September   1 year old female appearing to be blind and mad as she wander round in circles at Shoulder o’ Mutton Tram 15.00, the animal was put down by a professional marksman at 17.00 (RJS) 
29th September   1 bellowing east of Casson’s Marsh
01st October        1 male bellowing ‘Middle Moor’ at midday
20th October               2 females Will Pits
24th October       4, 1 male (6 points per antler) and 3 females Will Pits

 


Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus
01st January    1 Fisons' Road at Will Pits
04th January    5 male western edge, 4 fields south of Crowle Moor
17th February  1 male Shoulder o’ Mutton area 
11th March                  1 male in velvet (3 point) Fisons’ Road
13th March                  2 males Will Pits ditch ride
23rd March                 2 males colliery area
29th March                  2, 1 male in velvet and 1 female flooded workings
30th March                  2 south western edge of moors
31st March                  2, 1 Mill Drain, 1 Green Belt
01st April                    1 female Green Belt
20th April                    2 Shoulder o’ Mutton Tram
21st April                    1 female Canal Tow Path
23rd April                   1 male Shoulder o’ Mutton Tram
25th April                    1 male birch thicket near Woodpecker Corner
03rd May                    2 males Green Belt
04th May             5, 1 male Jones Cable metal bridge at south western edge of colliery area, 1 female west end of flooded workings, 1 male Shoulder o’ Mutton, 2 males Pony Bridge Marsh
05th May                     1 male Mill Drain ride
08th May                     1 male Jones Cable to moors (2 point)
16th May                     1 large male Fisons’ Road at Will Pits (3 point) 
27th May                     4, 1 female Fisons’ Road, 2 females/young Shoulder o’ Mutton, 1 female Shoulder o’ Mutton
28th May                     1 male Jones Cable                  
31st May                     1 male Collis’s Tram
14th June                     1 male Fisons' Road near Will Pits
15th June                     2 Green Belt
20th June                     4 separately Fisons' Road
24th June                     2, 1 Elmhirst Tram, 1 Pony Bridge Wood in new coats 
28th June                     1 west end of flooded workings
07th July              1 male Green Belt Scrape
11th July                     1
12th July              2, 1 male near Paraffin area, 1 Will Pits
20th July                     2 Green Belt
21st July                      2 females/young north of Shoulder o’ Mutton
22nd July                    1 Fisons' Road
28th July                     1 male Creykes
29th July                     1 young male
12th August        3 small (2nd year) Shearburn & Pitts Drain flooded workings
24th August    1 flooded workings
26th August    1 female Green Belt Scrape
30th August    2 Fisons' Road
01st September           3 Shoulder o’ Mutton
02nd September          3, 1 English Natures’ field, 2 Woodpecker Corner Tram
16th September   2 half grown with faint spots still visible on coats, Thorne Waste Drain at Woodpecker Corner
18th September           1 flooded workings 
20th October   7 at Green Belt and the flooded workings
03rd November   7, 3 southern fields, 1 male Jones Cable, 3 females north of Shoulder o’ Mutton
15th November           3 Green Belt
24th November           5, 2 near Elmhirst Tram, 3 females flooded workings 
07th November           5, 2 Green Belt, 3 west end of Fisons' Road
12th November           1 English Natures’ field
29th December            1 Green Belt
31st December            3 females and 1 male Will Pits Scrape

 


Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis 
04th January    1 Will Pits
09th February  Will Pits
17th February  Will Pits

 


Water Vole Arviola terrestris 

Fewer records, but still encountered regularly in favoured areas.


23rd March                 1 Canal Tow Path
30th March                  1 drain at Green Belt 
07th April            3, 1 flooded workings west of Casson’s Marsh, 1 Angle Drain at Limberlost Tram, 1 drain near English Natures’ shed at Will Pits Scrape
23rd April            1 south western edge drain
05th May             1 ‘Middle Moor’
08th May                     1 boundary drain of colliery area and NNR
12th May                     1 ditch alongside public footpath from Moorends Recreation Ground to the colliery area
31st May             1 south western edge drain
29th July                     1 Paraffin ditch along Comp. 31
01st August     1 Paraffin ditch along Comp. 31
06th October   metal entrance bridge at colliery area
17tOctober       ditch alongside public footpath from Moorends Recreation Ground to the colliery area near brick bridge
24th October       ditch alongside public footpath from Moorends Recreation Ground to the colliery area near brick bridge

 


Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus
08th September           1 Jones Cable

 


Brown Hare Lepus campensis
A reduction in records and probably of actual numbers as well, since far less frequently encountered generally. Again the main area this year for sightings was at the north western side of the moors and the fields about Creykes Crossing. Otherwise seen in peripheral fields, at the flooded workings or other open areas such as Will Pits. There were no records until April, when there was one on 4th, one on 5th and one on 27th. For May there were singles on 4th, 27th, and 28th. In June an adult and young were seen near Snaith & Cowick Moor on 14th, a single on 19th, four on 20th and again four on 28th with one young seen at Fisons’ Road and another young at Will Pits. In July there was one on 7th, four on 22nd, three on 28th and one on 29th. For August, there were five on 1st, one on 3rd and two on 19th, and in September one on 15th and two on 23rd. During October one was seen on 17th and there were no further records. 

 


Rabbit Oryctolagus coniculus 

Obviously under-recorded, due to being extremely common, it is however worth noting in the reports as this species is an important prey species and as such its populations can dictate the fortunes of predators such as Mustelids. Rabbits are commonly met with in the colliery area and at Will Pits. On the moors the mounds of soil and stumps make excellent areas for warrens. There were no reports of myxomatosis this year. Maximum noted was 14 on 22nd May, with very many also noted on 24th October. In January there was one on 4th, February one on 9th and 4 on 17th. In March, there was one on 23, two on 24 and one on 30th and for April two on 7th, three on 20th and one on 21st. During May seven were noted on 4, 10 on 5th, 14 on 22nd and nine on 27th. The only record for June was one on 16th, and in July four on 7th and noted on 22nd. In August, one on 19th and nine on 26th and for September, six on 1st, two on 7th and 8th, seven on 24and three on 26th. For October, three on 4th, noted on 17th, six on 20th and very many noted on 24th. There were two on 3rd and four on 24th November, and three on 31st December.

 

 


List of Observers:  
Kevin Bull, Steve Hiner, John G. Hitchcock, Martin Limbert, William H. Priestley, Richard J. Sprakes, Bryan P. Wainwright.
THORNE MOORS MAMMAL RECORDS 2003

Bryan P. Wainwright

All records are of a single animal unless otherwise stated.

 


Common Shrew Sorex araneus
Present but no records received.

 


Pygmy Shrew Sorex minutus
This is a common species of the moors’ interior, but usually only seen when dead. The only record was of one at Scott's shed bank top Goole Moor, on 13th February.

 


Water Shrew Neomys fodiens
This species is fairly common but rarely seen. One was seen at Creykes on 24th March and another was seen at Collis’s Tram on 4th July (SH).

 


Mole Talapa europaea
A dead partly eaten one, was found on the south-western edge track, on 30th March.

 


Red Fox Vulpes vulpes  
Widespread and frequently encountered, 
06th January    south-western edge to fields
12th January    Eastern Boundary of Southern Canals
22nd January   Green Belt with large white tipped tail
01st February  Jones Cable and Collis’s Tram
04th February  on colliery spoil mound facing into wind
22nd February bank top Will Pits
03rd March                 Will Pits
15th March                  Will Pits
19th March                  flooded workings
25th March                  Will Pits
08th April                    Fisons’ Road
10th April                    Will Pits
29th April                    west end flooded workings
30th April                    Snaith & Cowick Moor
19th May                     Will Pits
24th May                     2, 1 Green Belt, 1 Southern Canals
31st May                     Fisons’ Road
11th June                     Will Pits
18th June                     very small wobbly cub staggered onto Fisons' Road at Will Pits
19th June                     very small wobbly cub staggered onto Fisons' Road at Will Pits
20th June                     small cub again Will Pits
14th July                     1
30th July                     Will Pits
31st July                      north end Crowle Moor
14th August    Paraffin area
28th August    Paraffin area

14th September   Shoulder o’ Mutton


09th October   Will Pits
13th October   Will Pits
14th October   Will Pits
18th November           Fisons' Road halfway along main stretch
08th December            north of Crowle Moor
17th December            Goole Moor Tram
31st December            fields north of Crowle Moor

 


Stoat Mustela erminea
24th March                  bank top Goole Moor
27th March                  2 Bell’s Pond
12th April                    ‘Middle Moor’
04th May                     Fisons’ Road

27th June                     found dying Fisons' Road near blue bridge, very thin and wet not run over


02nd July                    Scott's shed bank top Goole Moor
09th October   Will Pits
14th October   bank top north end Will Pits
21st October   half in ermine bank top Goole Moor (BH)
08th December            killed Rabbit at Will Pits Scrape

 


Weasel Mustela nivalis
05th February Scott's shed bank top Goole Moor
16th February dead Will Pits Scrape
21st February  Will Pits
15th March                  Will Pits
03rd April                   Will Pits Scrape
21st April                    near Paraffin area
22nd April                   near Paraffin area
13th May                     ‘Middle Moor’
06th June                     Will Pits Scrape
08th September           Shoulder o’ Mutton
07th December            ditch ride at Will Pits

 


Mink M. vison
The Thorne & District Gazette of 9th October 2003 included a photograph showing a dead Mink caught in Moorends "last week". It was noted that the animal, "believed to have come off the moors, was caught in a trap on allotments on the outskirts of Moorends". These allotments abut the Thorne Colliery curtilage.

 


Badger Meles meles
There was evidence of a fourth sett, (refer to 1995) in use in 2000 and it is thought that two of these were still active in 2003. On 8th April, one was seen crossing the Kalmia Angustifolia track in the Casson’s area (SH). On 27th April, at the Casson’s sett there were obvious signs of use, including well marked tracks with hair and fresh tree scratching (ML). 

 


Red Deer Cervus elaphus
12th January    1 huge male with 6 points each antler Will Pits
07th March                  6, 1 male & 5 females Will Pits
20th March                  5 male bank top Will Pits
24th March                  5 females Will Pits
30th March                  6, 3 male & 3 female Will Pits
07th April                    3 Will Pits
08th April                    5 Will Pits
09th April                    4 Will Pits
10th April                    8-14, 6 fields north of Crowle Moor, 8 female Goole Moor Tram (later in day)
11th April                    5 females west end Will Pits
14th April                    3 females Will Pits
16th April                    5 north end of Crowle Moor
17th April                    2 male & female Will Pits
18th April                    7 female Will Pits, 6 others fields north of Crowle Moor
19th April                    1 female Will Pits
23rd April                   1 male Will Pits
24th April                    8 Goole Moor Tram
25th April                    1 Will Pits
28th April                    10, 1 male (pricket) & 4 females Pony Bridge Tram, 5 Blackwater dike at Will Pits
01st May                     1 Blackwater Dike at Will Pits
02nd May                    2 Will Pits
06th May                     1 Will Pits
13th May                     3, 1 male, 2 female Will Pits
14th May                     3                      
15th May                     3 Will Pits
21st May                     3 Will Pits
23rd May                    3 Will Pits
04th June                     1 female Will Pits
09th June                     1 female Will Pits
11th June                     3, 2 male 1 female bank top
17th June                     3, 2 male 1 female fields north of Crowle Moor
18th June                     5, 3 male 2 female bank top
27th June                     10, all males with large antlers fields north of Crowle Moor
28th June                     7 bank top
01st July                      4, 2 male then 2 female separately Will Pits
02nd July                    11, 7 all males Goole Moor Tram, 3 about to be 4 as female was giving birth, other 2 were 2nd year young (AM)    
04th July                     2 fields north of Crowle Moor
09th July                     1 Will Pits
10th July                     5, 2 plus stags Fisons’ Road at Will Pits
14th July                     4                      
16th July                     4, 2 male bank top
21st July                      3 males with antlers Will Pits
23rd July                     2 males Will Pits
28th July                     4, 3 male 1 female Will Pits
29th July                     1 male Will Pits
30th July                     1 male Will Pits
31st July                      5, 2 Will Pits. 3 young male north of Crowle Moor
18th August    7 bank top Goole Moor
19th August    2                      
23rd August    2
27th August    7, 5 female & 2 young Will Pits
28th August    10, 7 female with 3 young Goole Moor Tram
29th August    3 large male Will Pits
01st September           1 biggest male and 5 female Will Pits

04th September   9, 2 male together, 1 male 4 female and 2 2nd year young together all Will Pits


05th September           9, 4 male 5 female Will Pits
09th September           5, 3 male with 2 half grown young Will Pits
12th September           7, at least 2 male near Will Pits
15th September           7 Goole Moor Tram
25th September           3 males bellowing mornings and evenings around Will Pits
29th September           3 males bellowing mornings and evenings around Will Pits
02nd October  4 males heard near Will Pits
07th October   3, 1 female & 2 2nd year young Will Pits
08th October   3, 1 female and 2 2nd year young Will Pits

09th October               1 biggest male along Fisons' Road from Will Pits towards blue bridge then circled back to Will Pits


13th October   1 male Will Pits
16th October   6 in bare field north of Crowle Moor
17th October   4, 2 male 2 female Will Pits
20th October   4 female or immatures Goole Moor
22nd October  1 male Will Pits
30th October   3 Will Pits
31st October   2 Will Pits
05th November           2 Will Pits old ride
07th November           3 Will Pits
10th November           2 males Will Pits
01st December            4, 3 male 1 immature woodside (Will Pits)
02nd December           4 Will Pits
04th December            8 fields north of Crowle Moor
15th December            4, 2 male 2 female Goole Moor
30th December            1 male Will Pits at Blackwater Dike
31st December            1 male Will Pits at Blackwater Dike

 


Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus
03rd January   3, 1 male Green Belt, 2 Shoulder o’ Mutton Tram
12th January    3, 2 adults and half grown young Fisons’ Road
22nd January   3, at least 1 male, all fields colliery area
28th January    2, 1 male & 1 female flooded workings
01st February  3 southern fields
05th February  3 female, 2 Swinefleet Warping Drain, 1 Will Pits
06th February  2 English Nature’s field
11th February  3 female Will Pits
20th February  3 female fields north of Crowle Moor
22nd February 3 female flooded workings
05th March      3 female flooded workings
10th March                  3, 2 Green Belt, 1 male colliery spoil mounds
14th March                  1 English Nature’s field
16th March                  4, 2 male English Nature’s field, 2 male southern fields
17th March      1 male & 1 female flooded workings
18th March                  3 female Will Pits
19th March      2 female flooded workings
25th March                  4, 1 male 3 female Will Pits
27th March                  1 Green Belt
30th March                  1 near Will Pits
02nd April                   1 male Mill Drain
03rd April                   4 Fisons’ Road
07th April                    7, 2 Green Belt, 5 along Fisons’ Road
08th April                    2, 1 male & 1 female Fisons’ Road
09th April                    4 fields near Creykes
11th April                    6, 3 fields near Creykes, 3 Fisons’ Road
12th April                    2, 1female Will Pits Scrape, 1 male Pony Bridge Marsh        
14th April                    3 fields near Creykes
15th April                    4 fields near Creykes
16th April                    2, 1 Will Pits, 1 Fisons’ Road
18th April                    1 female south-western edge of moors
19th April                    1 Bell’s Pond
24th April                    1 male Green Belt
25th April                    1 Fisons’ Road
28th April                    11, 7 along Fisons’ Road, 4 Creykes
30th April                    1 Goole Moor Tram
02nd May                    2 male & female Fisons’ Road at Green Belt
03rd May                    2 Bell’s Pond
04th May                     1 female Creykes
06th May                     3 Fisons’ Road
07th May                     1 Will Pits
19th May                     5          
22nd May                    2 Fisons’ Road
24th May                     1 female Bell’s Pond
25th May                     3 including 1 young Fisons’ Road
27th May                     3 Fisons’ Road
31st May                     3 female and 2 spotted fawns near Will Pits
07th June                     1 female Will Pits
11th June                     1 fully spotted young Fisons' Road at Will Pits
23rd June                    1 small young bank top at Will Pits
02nd July                    2          
04th July                     2, 1 Fisons' Road, 1 male Will Pits
08th July                     2 male Creykes male Will Pits
09th July                     1 Will Pits
21st July                      1 female & 2 young Blackwater Dike at Will Pits
22nd July                    3 fields north of Crowle Moor
23rd July                     1 fields north of Crowle Moor
28th July                     1 Goole Moor Tram
29th July                     1 young Pony Bridge Wood
30th July                     5, 1 Will Pits, 1 fields north of Crowle Moor, 1 female & 2 young Blackwater Dike at Will Pits
31st July                      1 Crowle Moor
03rd August    2, 1 male Jones Cable, 1 female south-western edge of moors
10th August    3, 1 Green Belt, 2 females Mill Drain Marsh
27th August    2 east of Shoulder o’ Mutton
29th August    4, 1 Will Pits, 1 female & 2 young also Will Pits
22nd September          3          
07th October   2 Will Pits
26th November           8, 5 Goole Moor Tram, 3 Will Pits
27th November           8          
02nd December           9 Goole Moor
07th December            4          
08th December            11 Goole Moor
29th December            2 Will Pits
30th December            2 Will Pits at Blackwater Dike
31st December            6 Will Pits at Blackwater Dike

 


Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
23rd January   2 in hawthorn hedge at Inkle Moor
29th January    Scott's shed bank top Goole Moor
16th February  Will Pits
16th April                    Will Pits
03rd June                    Will Pits
08th September           2 Will Pits
09th October   Will Pits
27th November           on Fisons' Road Will Pits

 


Water Vole Arviola terrestris
Not all records are present here, some records from a college students study are not included.
24th March                  1
14th April                    seen near Creykes
16th April                    small young Snaith & Cowick Moor 
17th April                    Snaith & Cowick Moor
18th April            2 noisily copulating in the ditch alongside the south-western edge track, male was larger than female (RJS)
25th April                    Paraffin area track ditch

31st May                     prey of Tawny Owl, being carried away at old ride Will Pits

 

03 August                   Green Belt Scrape

 

02nd October              adult drain parallel and 20m from Blackwater Dike at Shoulder o’ Mutton

 

 


Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus

04th June                     Little Owl prey with long tail most probably this species at Creykes Plantation

 

25th August        an almost dead one was found on the track between Elmhirst Tram and Eastern Boundary (of southern Canals) Tram

 

 


Brown Hare Lepus campensis
22nd February 2 Creykes
16th March                  1 adult bare area south of Will Pits
01st April                    1 Snaith & Cowick Moor
02nd April                   1 Snaith & Cowick Moor
28th April                    1 along Fison's Road
30th April                    6, 4 Goole Moor Tram 2 flooded workings
01st May                     2, 1 'S' bend, 1 Will Pits west side
03rd May                    1 Shoulder o’ Mutton
04th May                     2 Goole Fields
12th May                     2          
22nd May                    1 Goole Moor
25th May                     3 Fisons’ Road
03rd June                    8, 5 adults Creykes fields, 3 adults near Will Pits
19th June                     1 north of 'S' bend Fisons' Road
25th June                     2 Goole Moor

04th July                     19, 16 together in Top House Farm field near plantation, 2 Snaith & Cowick Moor, 1 west of blue bridge


05th July                     23 together field at Top House Farm near plantation (a record?)
28th July                     4 Shoulder o’ Mutton
29th August    1 Goole Moor
01st September           1 Fisons' Road at Will Pits

 


Rabbit Oryctolagus coniculus
A under-recorded but very common species especially around the mounds of peat and stumps of the flooded workings, also numerous around Will Pits and the colliery area. 
03rd January   1
01st February  5, 4 Jones Cable, 1 flooded workings
05th February  colliery area
10th March                  colliery area
12th March                  3 Will Pits, 3 Swinefleet Warping Drain
16th March                  1 Will Pits
24th March                  1
30th March                  4, 1 Jones Cable, 1 Will Pits, 2 flooded workings
12th April                    2 along Fison's Road
17th April                    1 flooded workings
21st May                     3, 2 Jones Cable, 1 flooded workings

 


List of Observers:  
Kevin Bull, Steve Hiner, John G. Hitchcock, Martin Limbert, William H. Priestley, Richard J. Sprakes, Bryan P. Wainwright.