Water voles returning to national park in west country after 30 years

150 ‘Ratty’ river creatures to be released in Somerset estate where they had become extinct

Steven Morris

Tue 11 Sep 2018 00.01 BST

One of the most beloved and endangered riverine creatures is returning to a west country national park where it has been extinct for more than three decades.

Over the next few days 150 water voles will be released at six locations in the Aller river on the Holnicote Estate on Exmoor in Somerset.

Once regularly spotted on Britain’s riverbanks, they are now the nation’s fastest declining land mammal, disappearing from 94% of their former sites due to factors including increased urbanisation, predators and a decline in natural habitat.

The new arrivals at Holnicote will be closely watched to see how they are settling in. Rangers, volunteers, students and members of the public will monitor their numbers.

They will use simple field signs to record their presence and behaviour, from actual sightings and “plopping” sounds as they dive into water to the tell-tale signal of grass blades nibbled off at distinctive 45 degree angles.

Continued  

Water vole areas in England and Wales fall by 30% in a decade

Species remains UK’s fastest declining mammal despite large reintroduction programme

Haroon Siddique

Mon 26 Feb 2018 00.01 GMT

The number of areas where water voles are found across England and Wales has fallen by almost a third in 10 years, research has found.

The species, which provided the model for the much-loved character Ratty in The Wind of the Willows, has suffered catastrophic declines over several decades and is the UK’s fastest declining mammal.

Habitat loss, water pollution and the introduction of American mink – originally farmed for their fur, but which escaped into the wild and proved a voracious predator – have all contributed to the slump in the number of voles.

Analysis led by the Wildlife Trusts found a decline of 30% in the areas where they live between 2006 and 2015. A slight increase in their distribution was recorded in the last few years, thanks to conservation efforts by wildlife groups – the biggest reintroduction of water voles in the UK began last year – but the situation remains bleak.

Ellie Brodie, the senior policy officer for the Wildlife Trusts, said: “Water voles are an essential part of our wild and watery places and it’s terribly sad that we’re continuing to witness huge declines of this much-loved mammal.

“The Wildlife Trusts and others are working hard to help bring them back again and care for the places they need to survive – but much more is needed if we’re going to stop this charismatic creature disappearing altogether.”

Continued  

Ratty returns: hundreds of water voles released in UK's biggest reintroduction

Almost 700 of the endangered rodents, immortalised in Wind in the Willows, will be released in Northumberland – and it’s all thanks really to the otter

Fiona Harvey Environment correspondent

Thursday 15 June 2017 06.30 BST 

The biggest reintroduction of water voles in the UK began this week, with 325 voles released into Kielder Forest in Northumberland, and 350 more to follow later in the summer.

Water voles hold a special place in Britain’s natural history, providing the model for Ratty, the much-loved character in The Wind in the Willows. But the species has suffered catastrophic declines over several decades, driven by loss of habitat, the pollution of waterways, increased urbanisation, and rampant populations of American mink, originally farmed for their fur but which escaped into the wild and proved a voracious predator on the native vole.

More than 90% of the water vole population across the UK has died out, making it the country’s fastest declining land mammal.

Kielder Forest, more than 650 sq km in extent, was once a stronghold of the water vole, but none have been seen there in more than two decades, owing to the prevalence of mink.

By a curious quirk of conservation, “Ratty” owes the reintroduction in the area to the revival of another water vole predator: the otter. Burgeoning otter populations in Kielder, generations of which have been carefully nurtured through conservation efforts, have displaced the rival mink, which tends not to share hunting grounds with otters.

The reintroduction in Kielder Water and Forest Park has only taken place following comprehensive surveys for mink carried out since 2013. The Kielder Water Vole Partnership said it was confident the mink had permanently gone, making the habitat safe. As well as the otter, other native predators such as foxes, stoats, weasels and owls can all be found at Kielder, but these predations are likely to be kept in natural balance as the voles increase their range.

Read on 

Water voles to be reintroduced to England's highest lake

National Trust will release 100 of the endangered animals, not seen at Malham tarn in Yorkshire dales for 50 years

Jessica Aldred

Friday 19 August 201606.01 BST

Britain’s endangered water voles will reach new heights when they are returned to Yorkshire’s Malham tarn for the first time in 50 years.

Around 100 water voles will be reintroduced on Friday to the National Trust estate in the Yorkshire dales, home to England’s highest freshwater lake, in what the trust says is the highest-altitude reintroduction of the species it has carried out in Britain.

Immortalised as Ratty in Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, the water vole is Britain’s fastest-declining mammal. The animal was once found in nearly every waterway in England, Scotland and Wales, but is now thought to have been lost in up to 90% of these sites, clinging on in isolated pockets, coastal marshes and backwaters.

The intensification of agriculture, pollution and development, plus poor riverside management, has brought about the loss and degradation of the riverbank habitat in which the voles live. But the sharpest declines in the past 30 years have been caused by the spread of the American mink. These animals have established themselves on the waterways after escaping from fur farms, and they prey voraciously on the water vole.

Continued  

Water voles feared to have disappeared from many parts of the British countryside

A century ago they numbered eight million, and until quite recently they were still a common sight on Britain’s waterways

Paul Gallagher 

Saturday 6 February 2016

Water voles – the native animals popularised by the debonair Ratty in Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows – have fallen in such startling numbers that they are feared to have disappeared from many parts of the British countryside.A century ago they numbered eight million, and until quite recently they were still a common sight on Britain’s waterways. Records from 1990 show a population of just over seven million across England, Scotland and Wales, but by 1998 that number had crashed to less than a million. Far fewer are expected to exist today, and the most recent National UK Water Vole Database and Mapping Project, in 2013, revealed that the number of areas where they had been seen had fallen by 22 per cent in five years. 

The decline is mainly due to predation and habitat loss. The American mink, the water vole’s main predator, was first imported into the UK in the 1920s for the fur trade; but after a steady stream of escapes from farms they have driven water voles away from many of our rivers. 

Continued ...

Ratty returns to riverbank after absence of a decade

A much loved animal which has become extinct in a huge tract of the South West is being reintroduced – Martin Hesp went to Bude Marsh to find out more.

When most readers viewing this article were young, water voles were common in the Westcountry – now they are rare. So rare, that they've been extinct in Cornwall for over a decade.

But a pioneering project developed by a new nature conservation charity – Westland Countryside Stewards – is now on course to return one of Britain's best loved mammals to the riverine landscapes west of the Tamar.

In early 2013, more than 300 captive-bred water voles were released at a number of locations on the River Strat above the Bude Marshes.

Read on

Water voles 'decline by a fifth'

Water voles have declined by a fifth in the UK since 2011, a survey suggests.

Conservationists say that habitat loss, predation by American mink, and changeable weather are to blame.

The research was carried out by the Environment Agency and Wildlife Trusts, who are working to create more vole-friendly waterways.

Earlier reports had suggested that the animals were making a comeback. Conservationists say more needs to be done to save this species.

Alastair Driver, National Conservation Manager from the Environment Agency, said: "This creature is part of our waterway systems. People love walking along a canal and hearing the plop of a water vole into the canal. They are part of the food chain... part of the ecosystem.

"It would be a real shame to let that go."

'Ratty'

Water voles, immortalised by Ratty from Wind in the Willows, were once a common sight in the UK's waterways.

But since the 1970s, water vole numbers are thought to have declined by more than 90%.

Continued

Water vole sanctuary created in Bridport

Across the country the population of water voles has dropped from 1.2m to 400,000 in 10 years

A water vole sanctuary is being built on a Dorset river.

A pond is being restored and an island created on the River Brit at Bridport by the Environment Agency to give the endangered mammals a refuge.

The Environment Agency said the protected animal was "fast disappearing" due to habitat loss and predators.

The water vole sanctuary at Allington Pond is expected to take around a week to complete.

The agency said the work would provide a valuable habitat for the water voles to take cover.

Once a common sight in the county, the species is now only found in a "tiny fraction" of rivers and streams, the agency said.

The UK's water vole population has dropped 90% since the late 1980s, making it the UK's fastest declining mammal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-21685649

Plan to return water voles to Kielder Forest underway

Experts bid to pave the way for Ratty's return

January 2013. Conservationists in Northumberland are working on a plan which could result in water voles being returned to 62,000 hectare (155,000 acre) Kielder Water & Forest Park.

Wiped out by mink
The endangered species was once a familiar sight in the Northumberland Forest until predatory mink invaded its stronghold and wiped out the population. The last local sightings of water vole go back to the 1970s.

Now the Forestry Commission has linked up with the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Tyne Rivers Trust to devise a two year project to survey the forest to see if mink remain and to look for traces of lingering water vole populations. Initial discussions have been held with the Heritage Fund about potentially funding the work.

Mink disappearing - Probably due to otters return
Mink numbers at Kielder are now thought to be very low with few being spotted by rangers in recent years. One reason for their decline may be the expanding otter population as the two species do not co-exist, although no one knows the mechanics of the frosty relationship.

Read on:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/kielder-water-voles.html

Water voles wander across 'fragmented' Scottish habitat

Scottish water voles have been found to travel enormous distances, enabling them to persist in fragmented habitats.

The large rodents travel around bogs, lochs and moors in order to join, or establish, new colonies.

Although the findings were based on a species adapted to a "patchy" environment, the work could help biologists understand how habitat fragmentation may affect other animals.

The research was presented at the British Science Festival in Aberdeen.

Water voles living in the north-west of Scotland live in small family groups of five to 10 individuals separated from other small populations by kilometres.

By studying the behaviour of the mammals, Prof Xavier Lambin and his colleagues from the University of Aberdeen discovered that far from remaining isolated, young members of the family groups wandered huge distances away from their "home" territory.

Continued:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19503827

Water voles unexpected reappearance in Kent wildlife reserve

Water voles out of the blue

April 2012. Water voles have reappeared at Kent Wildlife Trust's (KWT) Hothfield Heathlands. KWT have been looking out for these charismatic rodents for a number of years now, expecting them to turn up along the river, or living in the long ditches that run from the bottom of the bogs. However, much to the surprise of KWT, they have popped up at the other end of the reserve, living in the highest area, sandwiched between a road and some intensively grazed fields!

Water voles live next to water bodies where there is a bank to build a burrow and lots of vegetation to eat. However in recent years the introduced American mink has been having a devastating impact on their population. This has led them to live in some untypical areas - away from the ditches and rivers loved by the mink.

At the moment KWT have only seen the piles of stems that indicate hungry water voles, but they are hoping to spot some of the animals before too long.

In 2008 KWT ran an appeal for Hothfield Heathlands and raised over £61,000 which was fantastic. It's because of that kind of support that they can carry out habitat management work that provides suitable habitat for species like water vole.

More about Hothfield Heathlands 

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/kent-voles.html

New West Sussex home for 'endangered' water voles

Water voles on the West Sussex coast are to be encouraged to move to a new habitat created by flood defence work.

Work began in November on the £15m Selsey sea defences to protect 300 homes at risk of flooding.

A new wetland habitat on Manhood Peninsula, west of Selsey, will be created as part of the project.

A 30-strong team of volunteers will monitor the condition of ditches, streams and ponds leading to the area from the voles' existing habitat.

The Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group project has been given a grant of £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the work.

Defences breached

Dr Jill Sutcliffe from the group said: "We need to ensure that the ditches that lead to those new habitats are in good condition.

"The key aim is to create a long term sustainable future for the endangered water vole."

The existing shingle defences at Selsey Bill were breached in 2008 and a beachfront campsite, with more than 2,000 static caravans, had to be evacuated.

The new four-mile long sea defences will be built further inland and will also create a new wetland habitat for wildlife.

Water voles have become endangered after the destruction of their habitats and the introduction of the American mink which preys on them.

In 2005, 171 water voles were reintroduced to the Arundel Wetland Centre by the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.

These have now bred and successfully established themselves in their new habitat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-16635298

Endangered species finding a new home in South Yorkshire

Water voles, one of Britain's most threatened mammals, have been taking up residence at a new habitat in South Yorkshire.

In 2009 ecologists from the Environment Agency discovered water voles living in Little Houghton Marsh, near Darfield in a flood defence washland. Since then the site has been developed as a wetland reserve and the water vole population has now grown.

Work to the site started in March 2010 and included creating a new ditch system that stretches for more than 220 metres in the middle of the washland. The ditches are deep enough to contain water all year round.

Environment Agency biodiversity officer Andrew Virtue said: “when we visited the site in 2009 we noted that the present ditch system was very shallow and prone to drying up. The water vole population at Little Houghton is isolated from other sites and we wanted to create a permanent home for the voles by extending and deepening the ditches.

“Although it is quite difficult to spot these little creatures, there are now clear signs of increased use by water vole, including fresh burrows and lots of water vole droppings along the banks of the new ditches. We are surprised how quickly they have been colonised – the voles are clearly happy.

“We will be visiting the site over the coming months to get more accurate numbers of exactly how many more water voles there are, since our initial estimate of 20 adults in late 2009. Other wildlife will also benefit from the ditch system, including birds, amphibians and grass snakes”

Other work to the site includes the creation of three wildlife ponds. None of this work affects the principal function of the washland site - to help protect the people of Darfield from flooding.

The project is part of the Dearne Valley Green Heart , a partnership between the Environment Agency, Natural England and RSPB creating a significant network of wildlife sites in and around Barnsley.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/123217.aspx

Sexually rampant voles ruin Yorkshire village's tourist trade

METRO REPORTER - 16th June, 2010

Visitors to Flaxton in north Yorkshire are being forced to take a 10km (six-mile) diversion because of a colony of breeding water voles.

The village’s shops and pub are suffering a trading slump after bridge repairs had to be suspended until the autumn – when the voles have finished mating.

Landlady Lorraine Ritchie, of the Blacksmith’s Arms, said: ‘We’re losing £700 a week and this is the busiest time of the year. We’ve come through the recession and we can’t get on.’

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/831209-sexually-rampant-voles-ruin-villages-tourist-trade

Watch out Mr Toad, Ratty's eating frogs

LONDON (Reuters) - British ecologists have discovered evidence that normally herbivorous water voles living alongside canals and rivers have been eating frogs' legs this Spring. The timid water vole, immortalised as "Ratty" in the "Wind in the Willows" children's novel and films, is Britain's fastest declining mammal and is known to have a largely vegetarian diet consisting of grass and plants.

05 May 2010 13:28 GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - British ecologists have discovered evidence that normally herbivorous water voles living alongside canals and rivers have been eating frogs' legs this Spring.

The timid water vole, immortalised as "Ratty" in the "Wind in the Willows" children's novel and films, is Britain's fastest declining mammal and is known to have a largely vegetarian diet consisting of grass and plants.

However, a survey along the Kennet & Avon Canal in the southern English county of Berkshire has revealed that these shy, furry animals have developed a taste for continental cuisine and have been snacking on frogs' legs, as well as the odd snail, British Waterways said in a statement on its website.

British Waterways ecologist Robert Randall said his team found a number of typical water vole feeding areas that were littered with dead frogs, minus their legs.

"We're not really sure why it's happening, but as the evidence coincides with the water voles' breeding season, we think it may be that pregnant mothers are snacking on frogs' legs as they lack protein in their diet," he added.

"This is incredibly unusual behaviour and as far as we know this is the first recorded evidence we have of them eating frogs' legs, so it's a really exciting discovery."

British Waterways asked people to report any water voles they see or any other wildlife activity in the country's canals and rivers on its website at www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.

(Reporting by Paul Casciato; Editing by Steve Addison)

http://news.stv.tv/oddly-enough/175140-watch-out-mr-toad-rattys-eating-frogs/

Voles' frog food

05 May 2010 16:30 GMT

British water voles have been eating frog's legs.

Researchers in Berkshire, England, were stunned to discover a group of the rodents have been dining on the tasty treats - typically served as a delicacy in French restaurants - possibly as a way of getting protein into their usually vegetarian diet.

Ecologist Oda Dijksterhuis said: "We found a number of typical water vole feeding areas that were littered with dead frogs, minus their legs.

"As a water vole's diet is normally vegetarian, this rather gruesome scene isn't what we'd expect to find at all."

Numbers of water voles are decreasing in the UK, with as little as 220,000 thought to now live there - down from eight million in 1960.

http://entertainment.stv.tv/showbiz/175179-voles-frog-food/

Water voles are latest victims of the recession

Water voles left without anyone to pay for their upkeep could become the unlikeliest victims of the recession.

A building firm that moved the creatures from their Dartford home has now gone bust, leaving the charity being paid to look after them – Wildwood Trust – facing a shortfall of up to £14,000.If the money cannot be raised by the end of this month then the water voles will miss their breeding window, adding to the problems faced by Britain’s most endangered mammal.

Based near Canterbury, Wildwood animal park is home to a large number of creatures native to Britain including otters, badgers and wild boar.Chief executive Peter Smith told Kent on Sunday the funding crisis could mean disaster for the more than 40 water voles.

He said: “We could breed them at the park but it costs money, simple as that. We are a charity and we already have lots of other conservation projects going on that also need to be paid for.

“The recession has affected us all. We’ve already experienced reduced support through people cancelling their membership, but we really do need donations now to help these creatures.

“This country has spent millions digging up the river banks because we don’t want them to flood, but by changing them to how we want them and not how nature intended we have virtually wiped the water vole out across the country. It’s a beautiful little animal and I think we all have a responsibility to protect it.”

The water voles were moved from their home in Dartford to protect them while a new housing development is being built there.As part of the project to release them back into the wild, Wildwood needs to pay £25 per vole on mandatory lab tests before they can do so.

They also need to spend £100 on a special release cage to stop the creatures being killed by foxes and mink, as well as £5 per week on feeding a family and £10 per vole for special radio microchips that will allow the charity to monitor how successful the release is next year.

Mr Smith said: “It’s a bit of a scam passing the liability of these water voles onto us but there’s nothing we can do. We’re stuffed.“We have to get them back out into the wild so they can breed, otherwise they will just die out.”Visit www.wildwood.workwithus.org/donate to aid Wildwood’s water vole appeal.

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Water-voles-are-latest-victims-of-the-recession-newsinkent26071.aspx