The Fieldmice (Farthing Wood)

The Fieldmice were two fictional characters from the Colin Dann series The Animals of Farthing Wood

Life On The Journey

The Fieldmice are most noted for the birth and death of their three babies, while Fox was absent from the group after crossing the river. Following the "happy event", the Fieldmice decided to remain behind, believing the journey would be too difficult now they had babies. The Voles also elected to remain behind to fulfill their obligation to the oath. However, when the animals spotted a shrike carrying a dead mouse they returned to find that all the babies had been killed (and impaled on thorns, in one of the series' more shocking scenes). Fortunately, both field mice and both voles survived to continue the journey.

When crossing the road, one of the Fieldmouse gets their tail stuck under a car, but they both make it safely to the central reservation and are carried across the remaining lane by Whistler.

In the church, the mice chose to sleep in the organ, causing problems for the human organist when they are blown onto the keys. The resultant noise causes panic among the other animals. In the episode "So Near And Yet So Far", one of the Fieldmice, one of the Shrews and the two Voles become separated from the group and are nearly killed by a lawn mower. Kestrel finds them, but it is Adder who encourages them to move.

White Deer Park

Mrs. Fieldmouse was killed by Kestrel shortly after their arrival in the park and it was partly this action that prompted the animals to establish an area for themselves, where they would be safe and known to each other. Mr Fieldmouse is seen later with the Voles, both choosing a nest location and eating the hay brought by the White Stag. In the latter scene, two field mice are shown, but it is unclear whether this means Mr Fieldmouse has found another mate. He is alone when seen later with the Voles, who he seems to live with in White Deer Park. These three rodents are wary of the Foxes during the harsh winter. At this point, Mr Fieldmouse expresses his belief that Kestrel's killing of his wife was no accident. Mr Fieldmouse is the first to accuse Fox of eating Mother Vole and he accompanies Vole when the latter goes to challenge Fox. Mr Fieldmouse is also present in welcoming Badger back from the Warden's house. This is his last appearance (apart from a possible mistake when he appears at the celebrations after Fox's triumph over the poachers) and it is later revealed Mr Fieldmouse has perished over the winter.