While looking through my Readers Digest wildlife book, I spotted a wonderful suggestion; that fixing tennis balls 18 inches above the ground (ideally to fence posts) would provide a perfect nesting home for Harvest Mice. I have always had an affection for these tiny and beautifully innocent creatures since stories from childhood told by my Dad. So I jumped at the opportunity to give a little back in the hope of observing the results in the future.
Harvest mice, notable by their blunt nose, small ears, yellow-brown fur and white underbelly, grow to a maximum of 2.5 inches nose to rump with the same length tail. Part of many child’s picture-book image of the countryside, it is one of our smallest mammals, weighing less than a 2p coin, and its unique prehensile tail enables it to climb tall, stiff-stemmed vegetation, such as corn stalks, with ease. Seeds, grains, grass shoots, soft fruit and insects make up its diet. In winter it seeks cover in low vegetation and barns.
The balls were installed by a wheat field as this could provide ample food for them, and in the knowledge that their presence causes insignificant impact on the crops. Their role of rodents in spreading disease has declined with improved public health measures, with most species of rodents completely harmless, especially Harvest Mice.
