You could try the Mammal Society, I know they collect owl pellets to search for the skeletal contents of small mammals. Perhaps they may be interested in receiving mammal corpses? Try looking on www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal
Kane
-- Edited by Kane Brides at 17:39, 2006-12-24
Sean Sweeney said
Sat Dec 23 8:27 PM, 2006
Judith,
On a similar note, is there a suitable place to send small mammal corpses too? Back in September Simon and I found 2 dead water shrews not far from each other (50m apart) down at Ringley (south side of the motorway). I have also,on several occasions this year, had friends call me when their cats bring in voles, shrews and bats, would the local museums be interested in these?
Regards, Sean.
Ian Woosey said
Thu Dec 14 5:03 PM, 2006
If anyone is interested, there are two articles about the recent nationwide Leach`s `wrecks` on the Dee Estuary Birding website. Click on `recent sightings` link. Although Gtr Manchester isn`t mentioned it`s worth a read.
Judith Smith said
Wed Dec 13 12:08 PM, 2006
A dead Leach's Petrel was picked up at Healey Dell NR by a ranger on 11th (photograph on www.wildlifeofrochdale.co.uk. Unfortunately this corpse was discarded and is unretrievable. A study of storm-wrecked Leach's is being carried out nationally(DNA etc), and this bird could have added to this study, so it's a great shame it was lost.
Another corpse found at Crosby by the Stockport BS was sent off correctly.
In general, corpses of all raptors and other predatory birds (eg Kingfisher) are welcomed by the Centre for Hydrology & Ecology (formerly the Institute for Terrestrial Ecology) for analysis of harmful residues. If you find one in good condition, please contact me or Ian McKerchar on details of where to send it. Initially, put it in the freezer! In addition, corpses of rarer birds suitable for mounting are often welcomed by our local museums ("rare" in this case meaning most things other than common garden birds). Then there are special studies like this. Apart from DNA, it's now possible to gain information about where birds bred from mineral residues in the bones and feathers.
If you want to have the bird mounted, the taxidermist will be able to remove the "innards" and preserve them for any study.
Sean,
You could try the Mammal Society, I know they collect owl pellets to search for the skeletal contents of small mammals. Perhaps they may be interested in receiving mammal corpses? Try looking on www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal
Kane
-- Edited by Kane Brides at 17:39, 2006-12-24
Judith,
On a similar note, is there a suitable place to send small mammal corpses too? Back in September Simon and I found 2 dead water shrews not far from each other (50m apart) down at Ringley (south side of the motorway). I have also,on several occasions this year, had friends call me when their cats bring in voles, shrews and bats, would the local museums be interested in these?
Regards, Sean.
A dead Leach's Petrel was picked up at Healey Dell NR by a ranger on 11th (photograph on www.wildlifeofrochdale.co.uk. Unfortunately this corpse was discarded and is unretrievable. A study of storm-wrecked Leach's is being carried out nationally(DNA etc), and this bird could have added to this study, so it's a great shame it was lost.
Another corpse found at Crosby by the Stockport BS was sent off correctly.
In general, corpses of all raptors and other predatory birds (eg Kingfisher) are welcomed by the Centre for Hydrology & Ecology (formerly the Institute for Terrestrial Ecology) for analysis of harmful residues. If you find one in good condition, please contact me or Ian McKerchar on details of where to send it. Initially, put it in the freezer! In addition, corpses of rarer birds suitable for mounting are often welcomed by our local museums ("rare" in this case meaning most things other than common garden birds). Then there are special studies like this. Apart from DNA, it's now possible to gain information about where birds bred from mineral residues in the bones and feathers.
If you want to have the bird mounted, the taxidermist will be able to remove the "innards" and preserve them for any study.