Intensifying agriculture over the past 50 years has destroyed much of the water voles' bank-side habitat. Small, isolated populations are now extremely vulnerable to further threats such as predation by North American mink, or to the effects of floods and droughts.

Water vole spotting

Water voles are about the size of a small guinea pig, with blunt snouts, small ears almost hidden in their reddish-brown fur, and furred tails. They quickly become accustomed to human activity and are active throughout the day. This means they can be spotted more easily than many of our mammal species, particularly in urban environments where there are few predators. In less visited areas they are more wary and you may have to rely on finding the other clues that they leave behind.

Where?

Rivers, canals, ponds, reed beds, ditches... almost anywhere that has water may have water voles! They do need lush vegetation at the water's edge and earth banks to burrow into. However, they will also nest in tussocks of grass and sedge if there are no suitable banks. Burrow holes are 5-8cm in diameter and often found right at the water's edge.

Be careful... brown rats will burrow by water and are also strong swimmers -they are often mistaken for water voles. Rats are larger, with visible ears and long hairless tails, water voles have furred tails, small ears and leave a distinct bow-wave when swimming!

In the breeding season (March to October), individuals hold distinct territories which they will mark with droppings deposited at 'latrines'. The droppings are 8-12mm long and cylindrical, with no detectable odour, unlike larger rat droppings which smell distinctly unpleasant.