Project Objectives This project aims to monitor the status of mammals in and around Oxford, with an emphasis on Oxford University’s Wytham Estate. In doing so, the project will employ methods which maximise the use of volunteers, whilst training them in the techniques needed to monitor mammals nationally.

This current project builds upon a concept proposed by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) in a report to the JNCC and DETR in several ways:

Developing methodologies which will benefit from the work of volunteers to collect important monitoring data, and will provide training in appropriate monitoring techniques. Providing an opportunity to calibrate and test the validity of specific survey methods. Forming part of the network as an area of intensive study, or ‘focus zone’.

Providing valuable data on changes in the distribution and abundance of various mammals in Oxfordshire; these data are all the more useful because of the wealth of historic information available with which to interpret them, and their application to Local Agenda 21.