BedsNats 1957 No 12.pdf - Bedfordshire Natural History Society

FOR 1957 41
MAMMALS
, What a pity it is that more members do not evince more interest in the
'Nild animals of the county! Nothing of outstanding' interest ,was brought
to my attention during the year but 1 repeat that it is the earnest wish of
the Recorder that details of even the most trivial observations should be
recorded and reported. Only in this way will a, true picture of the distribution
of the many species be built' up.
Badgers received rather more attention, due to several being killed on
the roads at night. The body of a heavy male, notified by Mr. D. W.
Elliott of Stagsden, was photographed, while interesting measurements and
other morphological details of a large female picked up at Hazelwood
Lane Hill, Ampthill, were supplied by Mr. T. H. Gardner of Ampthill.
This species is still being very much disturbed through various causes,
and a number of old setts have been deserted.
Rabbits are still endeavouring to increase their numbers and hares are
still remaining very plentifu1. There has been evidence here and 'there
of the recurrence of myxomatosis' in the former species.
Mr.D. W. Elliott was delighted to report once again' several harvest
mice on his farm. It now looks as if this species has become established
and, members should make suitable enquiries among farmer friends to
discover the extent of the distribution. It is felt that this must be greater
than is at present apparent.
Finally, news of otters along the numerous county waterways is earnestly
sought. It is 'here that those members who are keen fishermen
can contact fellow-sportsmen, keepers and water-bailiffs in order that some
idea can be obtained of the present status of this animal in Bedfordshire.
HENRyA. S. KEY.
FISHES
The main item of interest was theoccurrerice of a European Catfish or
Wels (Silurusglanis) in the Ouse at Kempston on 17th September, 1957.
An angler having caught a fish with which he was, not familiar decided
it was a lamprey and took it home to eat. Finding it not to his liking, he
threw it away but fortunately reported his catch to a local ,fishing-tackle
dealer' '.vho told me of it. An immediate search for the decomposing
remains was successful and identity established. 'It had originally weighed
1 lb. 8f ozs.
One of the lakes at Woburn Park was stocked with these fish last century
and specimens over half a hundredweight were recorded'there, whilst others
\vere introduced by Lord Rothschild into one of the reservoirs at Tring.
These reservoirs feed the Grand Junction Canal in the Leighton Buzzard
area where small specimens have been taken from time to time, but the
occurrence of one so many miles downstream is of interest. Possibly it
came down ina flood.
F. G. R. SOPER.
Notes and Observations
BADGERS AT BROMHAM
The ease ,vith which items of wild life interest can escape. notice came
before me in the autumn of 1957. A fellow villager to whom I gave a
lift one morning, asked if I had seen Mrs. A's badger. I admitted I had
not and set about making enquiries. Mrs. A occupies a house fronting
the main Bedford-Northampton road and the garden at rear develops into
a-' rough overgrown orchard leading down to the banks of a stream. It