Occasionally they are set overnight prior to a guided walk, or for visiting school parties and during the summer holiday Environmental Fun Days. The resulting captures also provide a valuable record. The trap consists of a box into which dry bedding and food is placed. A tunnel is fitted which has a trap door which is set to fall once an animal has entered the trap. To date Wood Mice, Yellow-necked Mice and Bank Voles have been regularly caught and released after examination.
Some animals are quick to re-enter the trap knowing there is food available.
On one occasion a female Bank Vole had given birth overnight, the young resembling pink sultanas. She was quickly reunited with her young back in the trap which was left on the woodland floor with the door set open. Next day found a completely empty trap for she had removed the babies along with all the food and bedding. Occasionally animals are found carrying ticks. These do not seem to cause too much distress, even a Bank Vole that carried seven engorged ticks on its head seemed in good health.