Why did the shrew cross the road? Perhaps it was to escape the ‘explosive atmosphere’.

These signs at Grangemoor Park are new so, presumably, recent tests have shown an increase in the gases leaking through the soil from whatever toxic combination of rubbish and dumped materials are lurking, mouldering beneath the ground in this former town rubbish dump. I don’t feel endangered but it did make wonder what effect it might have on the much smaller creatures that inhabit the park.

The fact that I saw the (probably Common, but they can be hard to positively identify) shrew was mere coincidence, and a wonderful chance encounter. Usually, I only see dead shrews so it was lovely to be able to watch this little mammal, scurry about at the edge of the tarmac path, race half way across then back again, sniff about in the low vegetation once more, before finally racing right across the road and disappearing into the foliage.