MOUSE

Alan Watts managed to get these close-up images of a wood mouse (also known as a field mouse).  It's different from a vole, with its long fur-free tail, pointier nose, big ears and protruding eyes, which equip it for night sight. 

It was on its way from a holly bush to a bird feeder

I'm afraid I was a bit too late to photograph this one.  Someone 'snapped' it before I did.

Wood mice never die of old age.  As they weaken they become prey to stoats, weasels, foxes, domestic cats, adders, barn owls, tawny owls and even hedgehogs. Like voles they are an important part of the food chain.  Sad but true.

They live in underground burrows, often under tree roots, and in autumn they store up seeds, berries, nuts, dandelion buds and all sorts to prepare for leaner times in winter.  If you ever read Jill Barklem's 'Brambly Hedge' books for children you will know all about store stumps!