Field Observations on the Growth, Reproduction and Activity of a Woodland Population of the Common Shrew

Previous work on shrews is reviewed and the methods used in this study are described. As a result of marking and recapturing shrews in a small area of mixed woodland, some new information on the ecology of shrews has been obtained. and previous observations on shrew biology have been confirmed. Growth of shrews progresses steadily until the winter when it is reduced until the spring moult. Females have on average two litters of from four to six young and the breeding season extends from April to July. The population can be divided into juveniles, subadults and adults using differences in pelage and weight. Peak periods of activity occur in early morning and late evening with a slight increase in activity in late afternoon in the summer.