How do you spot the UK's smallest mouse?

Volunteers in southern Scotland are getting ready to fur-ensically examine the undergrowth in search of the UK's smallest rodent.

Recently, evidence of nesting by harvest mice was spotted at Tarras Valley Nature Reserve in Dumfries and Galloway.

As a result, a series of surveys are to be held to try to find out whether the tiny endangered animals do live on the land.

However, the mission won't be easy, as the mice are the size of a 20 pence piece, and the whole reserve measures 10,500 acres - that's about 6,000 full-sized football pitches.

The Tarras Valley Nature Reserve (TVNR) is one of the biggest projects of its kind in the UK.

The huge site contains a variety of different environments, including moorland, ancient woodlands, river meadows and peatlands.

The potential presence of harvest mice in the area was recently found when some small woven grass nests were spotted in grassland, which the rodents typically make.

Reserve manager Jenny Barlow said they had not expected to see a trace of the tiny species on their land.

She explained: "It's been a complete surprise to discover we might have a population of harvest mice on the community-owned TVNR."

"During a recent volunteer session, we stumbled across some little woven grass nests in some of our tussocky grassland areas.

"They are usually a tell-tale sign of harvest mice, as they use the long grass to weave nests to sleep and breed in," Ms Barlow added.

The team at the reserve say that they are now planning on carrying out a number of surveys to try to officially confirm whether the rare mice live on the land.

1. Harvest mice are the UK's and Europe's smallest rodents and smallest mammals, weighing only around 4-6 grams.

2. They have a very special tail which they use like an extra limb. The mice can curl their tails and grip onto objects such as stems and stalks - perfect for climbing.

3. Harvest mice weave circular-shaped nests from grass which they sleep in and in which they look after their young.

4. The tiny rodents are most active at dawn and dusk.

5. They eat a variety of seeds and grains as well as fruits, berries and insects.