New three-year project aims to take stock of all Devon’s mammals

An ambitious three-year project to assess Devon’s mammal populations has been launched – with people urged to send in their own sightings and information.

The Devon Mammal Atlas is a joint venture between Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC) – the county’s hub for biological data – and the Devon Mammal Group (DMG), a charity which works for mammal conservation.

The aim is to discover how a wide range of mammal species are faring across Devon and the locations where they are thriving or under threat.

As well as the expected species such as badgers, hedgehogs and rabbits, the project will provide a snapshot of the situation for 33 terrestrial species of animal.

These also include beaver, brown hare, all deer species, hazel dormouse, mink, mole, otter, pine marten, polecats, rats and mice, red fox, shrews, squirrels, stoat, voles, weasel and even wild boar.

Ian Egerton is head of Devon and Somerset Environmental Records Centres. He said: “DBRC has been gathering information on Devon’s wildlife for more than 30 years, ensuring that robust data can positively influence planning and policy outcomes locally and nationally.

“However, this partnership project is enabling the first ever systematic survey of mammals in Devon. It will significantly change our understanding of the distribution of many of these under recorded and elusive species and supercharge our collective ability to protect them.”

While the project led by experts from both DBRC and DMG, its scale means organisers are also turning to the public for help.

The project is asking people to send in mammal sightings and information via DBRC’s website at https://www.dbrc.org.uk/devon-mammal-atlas

The project is also offering identification training opportunities to provide less experienced contributors with the skills to tell their rabbits from their hares and otters from mink.

Charly Mead is chair of Devon Mammal Group. Charly said: “You don’t need to spot a live animal to make a real difference. Looking for tracks, droppings, or dormouse nibbled hazel nuts is just as valuable as recording a garden hedgehog.

“By submitting your sightings and field signs online to DBRC you’re providing the vital evidence we need to map and protect Devon’s mammals.”

When it is completed in late 2029 the Devon Mammal Atlas will be available on the DBRC website. Sensitive or protected species will remain safe from disturbance or persecution by not providing detailed location information.

Vicky Fairs is the wildlife warden co-ordinator for Action on Climate in Teignbridge. Speaking on the importance of the project and of having accurate, up to date data on Devon’s mammals, she said: “We believe a Devon County Mammal Atlas would be very helpful for our volunteers working on community projects.

“As many mammals are small, fast, and/or nocturnal they are often under-recorded, which can leave a whole layer of our ecosystem overlooked. An atlas would enable volunteers to find out what mammals are living locally, spot gaps where surveys could be most useful and use this information to talk with landowners, farmers, and local authorities about practical ways to support them.”

To find out more about the Devon Mammal Atlas project and how to get involved go to https://www.dbrc.org.uk/devon-mammal-atlas