Moles in the meadows

If you’ve walked in the meadows recently, you may have noticed the huge number of molehills that have sprung up.

These busy little creatures are at their most active at this time of year when they dig new tunnels in search of a mate.

Moles are both an indicator and a creator of healthy soils as they need a plentiful supply of earthworms, their main food source, that only good soil can supply and by burrowing, they help aerate the soil making it easier for plants to spread their roots and establish themselves.

The sight of so many molehills may be considered unsightly but we are proud of our moles and have no motivation to trap or remove them. Our policy is to rake over the molehills in the area close to the Centre, and to leave them alone elsewhere in the meadows.

So perhaps it’s time instead for us to alter our perception of what unsightliness is and learn to love our moles. They and their molehills are just another part of the beautiful natural world around us.

To find out more about these fascinating animals, you can go to https://mammal.org.uk/british-mammals/mole