Inside a hedgerow in Staffordshire, a group of mice and voles are getting ready for Christmas.
A wildlife photographer has created a cosy seasonal scene from dolls’ house furniture, to provide food for the wild residents of the hedge.
And as the small creatures move around to feed, it even looks as if they are hanging up Christmas stockings and decorating the tree.
Kate MacRae, a wildlife consultant who has appeared on Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Countryfile came up with the fun idea to feed the mice in winter.
With the help of cameras provided by CJWildlife, Kate, 50, who blogs as WildlifeKate, live streams all the visitors who pop in.
The whole scene fits inside one of Kate’s Mammal Feeding stations and is mounted up inside a mature hedgerow.
The small mammals come in to feed, oblivious to to festive scene they are entering.
She said: “Their antics make them appear to check the decorations, put up a stocking, check presents and even grab a snack to eat.
“You can find things of all descriptions, Christmas trees and the like in dolls’ house 1/12 size.”
Kate recently hit the headlines with her bird feeding snack bar, which worked out so well she has moved on to the small mammals in her garden in Lichfield.
She said there is a serious side to the projects in helping people realise what can be in their own back yard.
She explained: “With the help of CJ Wildlife we have created mammal and bird feeding stations that will really capture the imagination of the public.
“We are passionate about getting people to connect with the wonderful British wildlife that we have right on our doorstep and projects like this get people watching and learning about our native species.
“Both wood mice and bank voles are visiting the Mammal Box at the moment, taking advantage of the seed that is dispensed from the fireplace.
“I designed the mammal box with removable ‘sets’ that I can dress to create any scene. The mammals don’t mind as long as there is food involved.
“It is great fun designing and making these mini rooms and then watching the mammals interact with them.”
You can watch this live camera on the CJWIldlife website (www.cjwildlife.co.uk) and clicking on the Live Webcams link. They can also be seen on WildlifeKate’s website.
