Mammals and Amphibians - Late Spring

Badgers

Unfortunately whilst too often easily seen at the side of the road, we would love to know a good location where these stripy headed night wanderers are thriving. We are convinced there are gardens in Ely outskirts and surrounding villages where badgers are visiting. Peanut butter on bread is an irresistible lure for this night time visitor. Put some nutty treats out regularly and if they often disappear overnight then you probably have your very own visiting badgers
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If we knew we'd put the information here. If you know tell us on the sightings page

Bats

Get out at the end of a sunny day close to dusk and you may see bats feeding on insects. Daubenton's, Noctule and the very common Pippistrelle family can all be found around the fens. Daubenton's will be seen almost exclusively over water whilst large Noctule bats may be seen flying in direct flight at some height
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Woodland at the bottom of hill by Roswell Pits, just off Kiln Lane (TL 553 805 or N+52 24' 3" E+0 16' 54"), the North side of the same pit looking over from the rough track beyond the Ely Sailing Club and The Paradise Centre sports ground (TL 543 806 or N+52 24' 6" E+0 16" 3")

Smooth Newts

Starting to be seen in early Spring, these amphibians really get going in late Spring. The warmer and lighter evenings make the process of looking for them much more fun. Smooth Newts grow to about 4 inches (10 centimetres) in length as adults. As their name suggests they are smoother in texture than other newts (especially Great Crested Newts). Browny-green with dark spots and an orange belly. The Froglife website (see right) has lots of information on amphibians, and has good guide on how to tell a Smooth from a Palmate Newt. They only come up for air every few minutes so you'll need to sit quietly for a while as move around fairly gently, or just seem to hang in the water (apart from their mating dance which is fairly elaborate)
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We're getting the GeoCache information, so check for updates regularly. Whilst they can be seen during the day, you are more likely to see them during dusk or at night. You'll need to find a pond without any fish, a natural predator, and with plenty of vegetation around the edge which the newts use as cover to prevent predation by birds. It takes ten to twenty minute to get your eye 'in', but once you've found your first it becomes much easier