Can you tell me what this is for

I've been finding these wired to horizontal branched in the woods where I take the dog for a walk. They appear to be somekind of trap, but I cant work out how, or for what.
Would really like to know, as its not on private land, its owned by the council.

 

Squirrels? Dormice? What size is it, and how high?

 

Maybe they are not traps but breeding houses / dens for an endangered species. Perhaps a wildlife trust has been given permission to place them as it's known that "whatever" has been seen in that area. That's just a guess from watching wildlife programmes.

 

Yes , LOL that's what I thought when I mentioned Dormice, as I know they have boxes for them in Savernake forest. I hope they're not traps but there was talk of trying to eradicate grey squirrels....

 

Is it perhaps the wrong time of the year for breeding boxes of some kind, each box is marked with a brightly coloured ribbon on a branch nearby, so someone wants to be able to find them again.
They are about head height, usually on horizontal branches, each one has a number on the end. They are made from plastic folded into a box shape and have a plywood insert running along the length and sticking out the end.
One end is blocked off.

 

If in doubt - I'd contact your local council wildlife/ parks dept in the morning.... there are some pretty nasty people about....
...or it could be a local study, if it is, the council would know about it and re-assure you.

 

It's a bit early for hibernation boxes....
As HB says the council should know of any studies.
What happens if you put your hand in? :D :D

 

Nothing, at one point I had this theory that perhaps squirrels cant walk backwards, they go inside and get stuck perhaps?????

 

As you can see its purpose made, I dont think its something someone has just cobbled together.

 

Just been doing a bit of Googling Pete and all the squirrel traps I can find have some kind of sprung door.

 

Does it have any sort of bait???

 

OK Dave, squrrels were just the first thing I thought of as its long and thin.
There doesn't seem to be any bait at all HB.

 

It's really got me intrigued Pete. I'll be interested to read what if anything you discover about them.

 

What about for bats - would that make sense? It doesn't look like a trap to me - more like a shelter.

I would contact your local Wildlife Trust - they should know - and certainly would be interested if anyone is messing with the wood wildlife, private land or not.

 

Any more information, Pete?