In this third instalment of Bethany Sewell’s garden wildlife series, she discovers some exciting mammal behaviour caught on camera traps by Zoologist Billy Heaney at his home in Gloucestershire.

Throughout this garden wildlife series, I have delved into the world of garden birds and also learned about the smaller, yet beautiful moths that are hiding all around us. This week, however, I am going in search of the bigger mammals that are living on our doorsteps.

For many of us, spotting the silhouette of a mammal darting across the lawn in a split second, is a treat. So, during this time, as we all take a moment to watch the world go by from our gardens, backdoors or windows, getting a glimpse of the animals roaming freely around us has become more special than ever before. Zoologist and wildlife presenter Billy Heaney shares some of the animal action in his back garden and on his local patch.

During lockdown, Billy has been using camera traps to spy on some of nature’s ‘best wildlife secrets’ from his home. These camera traps, which are attached to everything from trees to fences provide a non-intrusive insight into the animal kingdom. Extremely easy to use, the cameras can be left out in the garden no matter what the weather. A motion sensor will turn the camera on when movement is detected, consequently capturing a shot thanks to the infrared lights and camera sensor built into the contraption. This has allowed Billy an exciting look into the secret world of animals living locally.

The results of this have uncovered some extraordinary activity, including sightings of rabbits, foxes and even Muntjac deer. With seemingly lots of action happening in wildlife corridors throughout the local landscape, learning about our wild neighbours is bringing solace to many. However, one species in particular that have become of interest are the family of badgers living next door. “These are my new favourite neighbours,” Billy says while talking about his latest camera trap footage in episode two of Billy’s Camera Trap Tuesdays. Having teamed up with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, he is also sharing stories from their Pine marten reintroduction project in the Forest of Dean.

Over time, several native mammal species have experienced significant declines, due to practices such as deforestation, predator control and even demand for fur. Luckily, current efforts by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust along with Vincent Wildlife Trust, Forestry England and Forest Research, (supported by Forest Holidays and the Woodland Trust), have been restoring this species, once found in the South West. In the past year alone, they have successfully translocated 18 Pine martens from Scotland to the Forest of Dean and hope to reintroduce a total of 60 Pine martens to Gloucestershire over the next few years. This incredible success for Britain’s second rarest carnivore can be followed in each episode of Billy’s Camera Trap Tuesdays.

While staying home during this time may not have a side effect of completely amending the current state of our natural environment, seeing a wider audience becoming more connected to nature than ever before is hugely hopeful. Tony Whitbread, spokesperson for the RSPB explains, “This uplift in interest, and of people’s increased connection to nature is really heartening, and it’s to be hoped that it will continue once the restrictions are lifted.”

Whether you are lucky enough to have a garden or not, most mammal territories span a much larger space than a single garden sized area. Therefore, creating an easy access route through leaving gaps in thick plant borders and fences, or adding a log pile to the corner of a brick wall can help mammals climb over, under and into the spaces that your windows overlook.

With the weather continuing to get warmer and the plants around us beginning to burst into life as spring rolls in, this couldn’t be a better time to start spotting your wild neighbours. To find out more about the amazing animals that can be found in your garden check out Nina Constable Media's online series "Wild World Doorstep Discoveries," where Billy is also sharing stories from his Badger Sett. Or, to watch more of Billy’s camera Trap Tuesdays click here.

Thank you so much to Billy for sharing his camera trap project with Bloom in Doom. To find out more about what Billy is getting up to give him a follow on Instagram or check out his website.

Uncovering 'nature’s best wildlife secrets' from home

In this third instalment of Bethany Sewell’s garden wildlife series, she discovers some exciting mammal behaviour caught on camera traps by Zoologist Billy Heaney at his home in Gloucestershire.