A good recording year for some species - over 20 records of Roe deer and 10 of Fox, for example. However, sightings of many common species are not reaching the records, presumably because they are frequently seen. More records would be welcome for mice, rabbit, hare and Pipistrelle bat for example.

This year has been the best ever for water vole records, probably due to the attention given to the species by the media in relation to its possible extinction. It just shows what can be done with a little thought and effort!

Many thanks to all those who submitted records to the Society. We know they will be of value in years to come and could be of considerable benefit to many organisations, which have to make critical decisions based on scarce or otherwise limited information.

Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

Still reasonably common judging by the number of verbal reports of road casualties - the consequence of this animal's nocturnal wanderings.

Records were received of live animals from the following areas:-Heath Charnock, Rivington, Belmont, Cuerden, Roddlesworth and private gardens in the town's suburbs. The earliest record was on the 16^th March at Heath Charnock and the latest was 27^th November at Linden Grove, Hartwood.

Common Shrew (Sorex araneus castaneus)

Mole (Talpa europaea)

Common and widespread throughout our area. Nearly all records related to 'fresh' or 'new' molehills.

Daubenton's Bat (Myotis daubentoni)

Identified by bat detector on two occasions, both at Cuerden on the 18^th and 24^th August.

Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)

Recorded in small numbers, usually only two or three, flying around members' houses and gardens. Seen at, Brinscall, Clayton Brook, Hartwood, Queensgate and Astley Village.

The most notable record was of thirty plus animals counted emerging from a roost under eaves at Jepson's Clough, Rivington on 28^th July.

Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus)

Identified by bat detector at Cuerden on 18^th and 24^th August. Further information would be appreciated of this sighting. The species was last reported in this area at Belmont in 1994.

Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus)

Another species recorded by bat detector at Cuerden on 18^th August.

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Recorded in small numbers (less than ten) at Belmont, Birkacre, Cuerden, Chisnall and Rivington in most months of the year. Substantial warrens at Hoghton and in the Hartwood / Botany areas (more than 50 animals) with much evidence of interbreeding with domestic animals at the latter.

Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Common and widespread throughout the area. Frequent visitors to bird tables and gardens to within a few hundred metres of the town centre.

Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

One was caught in a mammal trap at Cuerden on 22^nd September

Water Vole (Arvicola amphibus amphibus)

A total of twelve records received for this species commencing in April and ending in September. It was seen on five occasions at Birkacre lodges, 6 occasions in the river Lostock at Cuerden and on one occasion at Belmont. The Belmont sighting was a first for the site. All records were of single animals.

Short tailed / Field Vole (Microtus agrestis)

Only one record was received for this very common animal. A single animal was live trapped in a Belmont garden shed on 15^th November.

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Another under-recorded species. One was seen dead near Chorley leisure centre on 29^th April. A yearly record total of 6 animals were caught in mink traps at Belmont

Long-tailed Field Mouse / Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus sylvaticus)

Two reports were received of animals in members' gardens, the first as a regular visitor feeding under the bird table at a house in Chatsworth Close, and the second of a female moving its young at Lever Park Avenue, Rivington on 13^th May. A total of thirty were live trapped at Belmont between April and November. A single animal was noted at Cuerden on 22^nd September.

Otter (Lutra lutra)

A single animal, thought perhaps to be a wandering juvenile, was observed at an undisclosed site.

Stoat (Mustela erminea stabilis)

A single record of an individual seen at the E-shaped ponds, Bretherton on 2^nd May.

Weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis)

Recorded at three separate locations in Rivington in March, July and December, and at Back Lane, Heath Charnock in February.

American Mink (Mustela vison)

Only one animal was trapped at Belmont this year - the lowest number since trapping began in the late 1980's. A maximum of 6 were trapped in 1998).

Fox (Vulpes vulpes crucigera)

The first of ten reported sightings was of a single animal seen near the river yarrow at Eccleston on 26^th January. Other reports, again of single animals, included sightings at Great Knowley on 14^th February, Roddlesworth on 6^th May, Kem Mill, Cuerden in August, September and November, Anglezarke on 13^th June, Chisnall on 9^th August and Brinscall on 14th November.

An increase in sightings around Belmont in the first half of the year was perhaps linked to reduced persecution due to 'foot and mouth' restrictions. A vixen with three cubs was seen outside an earth on 19^th May. Later, when restrictions were lifted, 10 animals were shot by gamekeepers in a single night's 'lamping'.

Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

A female seen in previous years, was present around Belmont all year. A male, also seen previously, was found to be trailing a leg badly early in the New Year, and had to be dispatched by high-powered rifle. A group of three was resident within fenced woodland at Belmont all year.

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus)

A pair of animals was seen in the Common Bank area on more than one occasion in the Spring.

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus thotti)

A good number of records this year, all from the eastern half of the area, and in nearly all months, usually of to three or four animals. Up to six were seen on Healey Nab from January to March. Two road casualties were noted on the A675 at Belmont, one on 7^th May and one on 22^nd August.

Palmate Newt (Triturus helveticus helveticus0

Thirty plus animals were seen in one Belmont pond on the 30^th April, the first record for many years.

Toad (Bufo bufo bufo)

Present in a few gardens around the suburbs and breeding in large numbers at Birkacre.

Common Frog (Rana temporaria temporaria)

Reports of small numbers in garden ponds around Chorley and throughout the area. Breeding noted at Birkacre, Withnell Fold and Belmont.