Mammal Survey Eastern Rhodopes Bulgaria - De Zoogdiervereniging

Instruction on how to use the Longworth traps.The best way to set traps depends on factors like availability, character of entrapment, and the speciesone aspires to capture. Pitfalls and Longworth traps were placed in the order to capture all typesof mice. The Sherman’s traps were used specifically to catch dormice. The traps were primarily linedup in straight rows. Eight locations were in use during the workshop. These locations are marked onmap 5. At 6 locations, 30 to 40 Longworth traps were placed. Usually a continuous row was set out inthe field, using successively numbered traps. In one location, only pitfalls were used. This formationwas located along the river Arda. The water level changed suddenly and rapidly due to the opening ofthe weir. Sherman traps were placed in trees to capture dormice.In each row, successively numbered traps were used. The distance between two traps was approximately5 metres. At certain places, traps were placed somewhat in deviation of this 5 metres rule ofthumb. This was done to include a promising location, for instance under an overhang, or near a bushcarrying berries. Other factors were of influence as well, like terrain slope and the presence of tinywalking trails (points) and burrows. The correct manner to place traps was discussed time and again.It is very important that traps are carefully set and reset on every round. This is especially importantwhen traps yield a relatively low amount of mice. All traps contained hay or grasses for isolation purposes.In this case the main goal was to avoid too high temperatures. Isolation was necessary despitethe fact that most traps were placed in shady locations.The used bait was not exactly made of the standard ingredients (peanut butter, oatmeal, carrot, apple).The reason for this was a scarcity of peanut butter and oatmeal. This year’s bait existed of ratherunusual ingredients and merited the nickname “Balkan brew”. This Balkan brew consisted of the followingingredients.- 520 grammes hard cookies- 275 grammes peanut butter26 Mammal Survey Eastern Rhodope Bulgaria