Water voles
Natural history
Water voles were once a common and familiar British mammal. It is likely that they were an abundant species in Mesolithic wetlands. They are Britain’s largest vole species. A large male can weigh up to 340g grams. They are good swimmers who use water to access vegetation and avoid predators. They inhabit burrow complexes in the banks of water courses. Some of these structures can be very old.
They can also create ‘ball nests’ in stands of vegetation. This adaptation allows them to live in aquatic environments where burrowing habitat is limited in availability. Although water voles are largely vegetarian they may occasionally consume fish carrion, amphibians and pond snails.
Their field signs can on occasion be confusingly similar to those left by field voles (microitis agrestris) Water voles once inhabited virtually all the freshwater landscapes of mainland Britain.
Conservation
In modern times habitat loss has diminished the water vole population in Britain by over 90%. Water voles are preyed upon by a wide range of native predators but have no developed adaptation against introduced North American Mink (Neovison vison) In extensive, complex, wetlands mink predation alone can retard water vole populations by up to 60%. In linear riparian environments their survival can be impossible.
Folklore
Many riparian mammals were formerly designated by the Catholic Church as fish. This derogation allowed them to be consumed during fast days. They were once such a familiar part of the British landscape that they were immortalised as characters in children’s books. Strange stories arose regarding their savagery!!! Their fur was occasionally made into waistcoats and rugs. Manufacturers of air rifles promoted their use as handy targets!! Victorian Anglers used to use a cork lure called a water vole to catch pike.
Legal Status
In April 2008 water voles were afforded full protection in England and Wales by DEFRA by including them on schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(WCA). Protection for water voles was to be achieved through the prohibition of certain activities under section 9 of the WCA as listed below.
- 9(1) – prohibition of killing, injuring or taking;
- 9(2) – prohibition of possession or control;
- 9(4) – prohibition of damaging or destroying places of shelter, or disturbing such animals while occupying places of shelter;
- 9(5) – prohibition of sale, possession or transport for the purpose of sale, and advertising the buying or selling of such animals.
Water voles and their resting places are now fully protected in England and it is an offence to deliberately, capture, injure or kill them, have possession or control, or to disturb, damage, destroy or obstruct their breeding or resting places and to buy or sell the species
Where water voles can not be worked around and if the issue cannot be resolved by any alternative means there are exceptions to these prohibitions which may be authorised by a licence issued under section 16 of the WCA by Natural England.
Development Mitigation
Water voles are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Developments which impact upon them or their living environment require a conservation licence.
Water voles have commonly survived in areas of the landscape where agriculture is unviable. In urban landscapes they can inhabit uninviting environments. Development projects can have a significant impact on their survival. They do not displace easily and will readily attempt to return to their original territory Often the only alternative may be to trap and remove then outside their breeding season and there is significant evidence that this process can work well.
They must be released back into environments which offer good food and cover and these landscapes take time to establish. These habitats, if sufficient quality, can provide a sustainable future for large reintroduced populations.
Mink control is imperative to ensure their long term survival is to be secured. Landscapes which offer a single route in and out for colonising mink are easier to maintain than others which are more complex.
The Future
It is unlikely that water voles will continue to survive in many of the habitats they currently occupy. They are currently believed to be extinct throughout 97% of their former range. Their best chance of survival is in landscapes where extensive ditch networks or large wetlands still exist.
This prospect will still depend upon the strategic control of mink combined with the re-creation and maintenance of suitable habitats. This process will only be sustainable if landowners are encouraged to assist their survival with the support of the statutory and voluntary nature conservation agencies.
Furthur Information
For relevant information regarding water voles, licencing, disease, research, mink control and training we suggest the following websites:
Institute for Ecology and Environmental
Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
Wildlife Conservation and Research Unit of Oxford University
Publications
Articles by Derek Gow Consultancy
Gow, D, Andrews, A & Smith, D. (2012).
Water vole mitigation guidance – Important updates for evidence-based good practice.
Not published yet.
Gow. D. Water vole reintroduction projects – the lessons and the success factors. ECOS: 28(1)
Gow. D. & Holder, K. Captive breeding as a recovery component of water vole (Arvicola terrestris) conservation projects. International Zoo News. Vol. 52, No. 1 (2005), pp. 20 – 27
Gow, D., Holder, K & Jeffrey, C. (2004)
The relevance of captive breeding as a successful component in water vole (Arvicola terrestris) translocation projects. Ecology and
Environmental Management – In Practice 44:14 – 17
Gow, D. (2010). Tayside beavers – rights in the watershed. ECOS: 31 (3/4).
Books
Strachan, R., Moorhouse, T. & Gelling, M. (2011) Water vole Conservation Handbook (third edition). WildCRu: Oxford
Strachan, R. (1997) British Natural History Series – Water voles. Whittet Books: London
Ryder, S. (1962) Water voles. The Sunday Times
Woodruff. G. (2000) The Water vole. The Mammal Society
CD
Jerfferies, D.J. (2003) The water vole and mink survey of Britain, 1996 – 1998 with a history of the long term changes in the status of both species and their causes. The Vincent Wildlife Trust