Often molehills appear in the QEII field spinney or along the canal edge, particularly in spring, the mating season, and autumn, when the young are moving out. Otherwise, the creature burrows along searching for worms and grubs, occasionally pushing the loosened excavated soil to the surface; once its underground labyrinth is dug out a mole will just harvest what it finds there, sometimes building up a food store in an underground chamber.
It’s unusual to see them, but, over the last week, two have been out in the sunshine by the pond in the reserve. Perhaps the recent long spell of dry weather has made it difficult to find food in the field, so they have been searching in the moister ground here. A risky tactic, and sadly one was deceased (pictured on its virtual molehill memorial in the Community orchard).
The second mole, seen in the video, was busy rootling about by the stage, oblivious to my presence. You can see the dark brown, velvety fur (which helps it move more easily through the tunnels) and make out its tiny eyes as well as the long pink nose and its two large shovel-like front paws, which can help it dig out 20 metres in a day.
Although often considered a pest because of ‘damage’ to lawns, greens and fields, moles are beneficial, preying on unwanted insect larvae in parks and gardens, such as cockchafers and carrot fly. Their tunnels also contribute to the aeration of heavy soils and drainage, so mitigating some of the effects of the chaotic weather we experience these days.
Further information and images
Awesome Wildlife: All about Moles
