'I built a tiny castle for mice in my garden'

'I built a tiny castle for mice in my garden'

In the depths of a garden in North Yorkshire lies a charming mouse-sized castle, adorned with vibrant flags and encircled by whimsical toadstools. Christie Barnes, the creator of this miniature kingdom in New Earswick, developed a fascination with the small creatures inhabiting her garden during the lockdowns imposed by the coronavirus outbreak. To attract mice and voles, she began leaving nuts out, which led to the evolution of her interest into a full-scale project involving the construction of a lavishly decorated castle and an adjoining dollhouse for the creatures to enjoy.

Complete with opulent furnishings like a chandelier, velour chair, and a battery-powered fireplace, the castle is hailed by some as a paradise for mice. Equipped with three cameras to capture the movements of the near-royal rodents, the castle is also well-stocked with food. According to Christie, the mice have established a tunnel system underground, enabling them to access the castle safely and ensuring that they are shielded from potential threats such as cats.

Christie expressed, “I know they see it as a permanent place now because I’ve been feeding them for three to four years. They know it’s a place where they can get their food.” Up to four mice can inhabit the castle simultaneously, and any alterations or additions to the castle can initially perplex the creatures. However, they quickly adapt and resume their activities within a couple of days. Christie enjoys decorating the castle for various occasions like Christmas and Halloween, and her friends and family have expressed their admiration for her creation, urging her to continue sharing photos and videos of the mouse kingdom

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