Wood or Yellow-necked Mouse (1 Viewer)

[Mabbs]

Hi there,

While clearing nest boxes I found 3 mice. 2 jumped clear and away and this one sat tight. Initially though Wood Mouse but not 100%. No way to see the belly. As it ran off you could see it had white belly but of course could not see chest for ID help. It was quite large with long tail. Seen near Alton, Hants.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Farnboro John]

For my money it's a Wood Mouse. The muzzle looks fairly narrow (Yellow-necks are butch looking things) but the clincher for me is the tail, which is thin in proportion to the rest of the mouse. Both Woodies and Yellow-necks have very long tails but Yellow-necks have proportionately thicker ones and I think in a view like this you should be able to see that.

Nice that it sat still for the picture. Good job.

John