19
Many of our mammals are shy and elusive creatures,
and different techniques are needed for their
detection. Some groups are sufficiently active
and visible by day to be watched directly,
although in almost every case the early morning is
the best time for observations. Rabbits and
hares come into this category, as do squirrels and
water voles, and you may be lucky and see harvest
mice, which are more active by day than most
other mice, especially in winter. These are
easily recognised by their very small ears and
rich orange brown coat. You may also be able
to record some of the four species of deer (fallow,
red, roe and muntjac) to be found in Essex. They
do much of their feeding in clearings or open
ground adjacent to woodland (and often motorways!),
generally emerging at dusk to feed. However,
dawn is again the best time for observation,
since there is less human disturbance than at
dusk. Despite the great increase in urban
development the Essex deer survey revealed that
deer are common over much of Essex and are living
in extraordinarily" close proximity to towns.
Both fallow and muntjac are frequently seen, and
breed,in sites adjacent to Harlow New Town, and
fallow deer have been seen from houses on the
edge of Harold Hill and Harold Wood.
Animals more commonly associated with urban and
country habitats are foxes. They are often
sighted in the garden or are picked out in car
headlights. Although thought to occur throughout
the county we have very few recent observations
on record. Similarly, very few hedgehog
sightings have been reported. These delightful
animals, like others, are often only seen as
road casualties.. However, such unfortunate
incidences can produce valuable information on
a species, and any details from road casualties
involving wild mammals will be very useful to us.