After a 45-year absence, over 150 harvest mice have been reintroduced to a nature reserve in west London, marking a significant milestone in local conservation efforts.
The last recorded sighting of these mice in the borough of Ealing dates back to 1979, specifically at Perivale Wood.
Part of the broader rewilding project led by the Ealing Wildlife Group, this reintroduction aims to enhance the local ecosystem’s health and diversity.
Loss of habitat is believed to have contributed to the mice’s disappearance, reflecting a broader decline observed across the UK, with native harvest mouse populations dwindling by 70%.
Perivale Wood, boasting ancient oak woodland and neutral grassland, now includes designated areas within its meadows to serve as wildlife corridors for small mammals.
These untouched grassy patches provide essential nesting material and cover for the harvest mice. Additionally, the introduction of a new pond, alongside an existing one, will create more reed bed habitats, preferred by these tiny creatures.
Bred in captivity by dedicated volunteers, the mice’s reintroduction has been met with enthusiasm by Richard Goddard, representing the Selborne Society, which oversees management of Perivale Wood, describing it as a “fantastic” development.
He added: “Selborne Society volunteers put in more than 2,000 hours of voluntary work to improve our habitats.
“This has been the perfect way to celebrate National Mammal Week”.
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