Seasonal patterns in habitat use by the harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) and other small mammals.

This study sought to understand seasonal changes in population size and habitat use by harvest mice, and other small mammal species, by live trapping in reedbeds in Nottinghamshire, England, and three associated habitats types: woodland, pasture and arable. Trapping sessions lasted one week, with two habitats typically being sampled in each. The traps were left in the pre-bait position on the first day, for three days (one or two days in the pilot), to allow the animals to become familiar with them. At 8am on the fourth day, traps showing signs of use, such as movement of the bedding, feeding or faeces, were cleaned and food and bedding was replaced, and all traps were set to catch. At approximately 3pm all the traps were checked, and the species and sex of captured animals was recorded. Animals were given a unique fur clip using a pair of fine scissors allowing us to distinguish individuals from one another, and then released at the point of capture. Thereafter, traps were checked twice a day, at 8am and 3pm. On the morning of the eight day, traps were checked for the last time and removed.

本研究旨在通过对英国诺丁汉郡芦苇床及三种相关生境类型（林地、牧场与耕地）开展小型哺乳类活捕调查，以探明巢鼠（harvest mouse）及其他小型哺乳类物种的种群数量与生境利用的季节变化规律。本次捕笼作业单次持续一周，每次通常选取两种生境进行采样。捕笼于首日放置并开展预诱饵布设，时长为三日（预实验阶段为一至两日），以使野生动物适应捕笼环境。第四日上午8时，对存在使用迹象（如垫料移动、取食痕迹或粪便）的捕笼进行清洁，并更换食物与垫料，随后将所有捕笼布设完成以启动捕获。当日约下午3时，对所有捕笼进行检查，记录捕获动物的物种与性别。研究人员使用精细剪刀为每只捕获个体剪制独特的毛簇标记以区分不同个体，随后将其在捕获原地放归。此后，每日需于上午8时与下午3时两次检查捕笼。第八日上午，对捕笼进行最后一次检查后将其移除。