Water voles have rounder noses than rats, deep brown fur, chubby faces and short fuzzy ears. In 1998 there were estimated to be only 875,000 individuals. The water vole arvicola amphibius formerly terrestris is the largest species of vole in britain and inhabits canals, rivers, streams, ditches and other wetland areas. Notebook journal for animals and pet lovers, great gift for girls who loves wild animals, 6x9 inches 110 blank lined pages by lovesgirl publishing 3 jan 2020 paperback. The water vole mitigation handbook sussex wildlife trust. The glasgow water vole project is a partnership project and a whole range of organisations are involved. The course will cover relevant aspects of the background ecology of water voles and appropriate field survey techniques, particularly aimed at development scenarios, following the guidance in the water vole mitigation handbook. Water voles are herbivorous and feed primarily on the lush aerial stems and leaves of waterside plants during the growing season, and the roots and bark of woody species such as willow, together with the rhizomes and bulbs. The story of one of britains most endangered mammals. Captive breeding as a recovery component of water vole arvicola terrestris conservation projects.
Water vole ecology, conservation and handling the mammal. Methods of environmental impact assessment peter morris, riki. The water vole is a famous character in many books. The principles of displacement will be discussed in particular detail. About water voles find out more about the life of a water vole. The water vole microtus richardsoni is the largest north american vole. In central europe, it lives rather like a mole, some distance from water, burrowing in woodland, meadows, crop fields and gardens. The first in a new series of practitioner guidance from the mammal society, it provides the evidence base for informed decisionmaking by ecological. The water vole is a protected species and is listed under schedule 5 of the wildlife and countryside act and receives further protection through the nature conservation scotland act 2004. Water vole ecology, conservation and handling suitable for all levels of experience, this informative one day event focuses on one of our most iconic river dwelling mammals, the water vole. Managing land for water voles sussex wildlife trust. It is found in the northwestern united states and southern parts of western canada. It is often informally called the water rat, though it only superficially resembles a true rat. The water vole has chestnutbrown fur, a blunt, rounded nose, small ears, and a furry tail.
Wildlife conservation research unit, university of oxford, 2006 arvicola pages. Water vole conservation handbook, second edition request pdf. The water vole arvicola amphibius formerly terrestris is the largest species of vole in britain and inhabits canals, rivers, streams, ditches and other wetland areas water voles are herbivorous and feed primarily on the lush aerial stems and leaves of waterside plants during the growing season, and the roots and bark of woody species such as willow, together with the rhizomes and bulbs and. Wildlife conservation research unit, university of oxford, 2006. Ratty the character in the book wind in the willows written by kenneth grahame was actually a water vole and not a rat. Tom moorhouse has also written about water voles in his books the rising.
In preroman times, the water vole was actually britains commonest small mammal. The mink and the water vole, analyses for conservation. The course includes information on identifying field signs, habitat requirements, their ecology, legal protection and their predators threats. Scotlands water voles often appear darker, with many having a black coat. Dec 16, 2015 the water vole sample pages published on dec 16, 2015 sample pages for christine gregorys book the water vole. The water vole, also known as a water rat or richardson vole, is the largest vole in montana. The water vole does not always live at the waters edge. Water vole microtus richardsoni wyoming game and fish. The first in a new series of practitioner guidance from the mammal society, it provides the evidence base for informed decisionmaking by ecological consultants, planners, competent. Thanks to the work of wonderful water vole champions such as dr merryl gelling, kate long, water vole reintroduction projects by derek gow, wildlife trusts, mammal society, and research by ptes and other conservation organizations, water voles are recolonising some counties.
Schedule 5 of this act makes it an offence to intentionally damage or obstruct access to water vole burrows. The mammal societys guide to their population and conservation status. Derek gow is passionate about britains wildlife and one little creature in particular. Also known as the european water vole, and incorrectly the water rat. It burrows just under the surface, pushing the dugout soil upwards into little heaps. Captive breeding water voles it is against this background that water vole restoration utilising either translocated animals or captive bred offspring has become an identified component of the species recovery, as recommended in the 3rd water vole conservation handbook strachan et. By minimising your use of water and avoiding wasting water you can help to keep rattys natural habitats wet and water vole friendly.
But despite full legal protection the species has still declined by as much as 95% across much of britain, highlighting the importance of survey work to. Buy the water vole mitigation handbook 9780993567308. The course will have a particular focus on determining the most appropriate approach to relocating water voles, by either trapping or use of the displacement technique, following the water vole mitigation handbook. This course is aimed at experienced practitioners intermediate or advanced level and is a classroom based course which complements our practical training on water vole live. The water vole sample pages by vertebrate publishing issuu. Mammal society members will receive a 10% discount on this book, please quote your membership. Mink and the water vole, analyses for conservation. Water vole water vole classification and evolution. The mammal society published a new water vole mitigation handbook in march 2016 and we have just recieved a copy of the guide. Derek is coauthor of the water vole conservation handbook and has trained numerous individuals and members of other organisations on water vole handling, live trapping and restoration techniques. The vincent wildlife trusts 198990 national water vole survey recorded water voles at a single site on the river bude although no latrines piles of droppings developed as territorial markers were found. This animal has been historically considered a member of genus arvicola, but molecular evidence demonstrates that it is more closely related to north american microtus species.
Protected species licence for survey, research or conservation work a29. Water voles inspired the cuddly character ratty in the childrens book the wind in the willows and our european water voles are particularly unique, being the only water vole that are actually dependant on living near water. The childrens book wind in the willows had a water vole named ratty. Reintroductions as an essential conservation tool for water vole. The similar brown rat is larger, with greybrown fur, a pointed nose, large ears that protrude from its fur, and a long, scaly tail. The university of glasgow and the council are surveying and monitoring the site, the seven lochs wetland park and tcv are carrying out the work and scottish natural heritage are providing invaluable support, funding and advice. The water vole mitigation handbook, endorsed by the water vole steering group and cieem, provides the latest guidance on mitigating the effects of development on water voles. Apr 26, 2016 the mammal society published a new water vole mitigation handbook in march 2016 and we have just recieved a copy of the guide.
The water vole does not always live at the water s edge. Water vole conservation handbook, third edition wildcru. The european water vole or northern water vole arvicola amphibius, included in synonymy. New water vole mitigation guidelines for development and. The water vole is a small species of semiaquatic rodent that is found along the riverbanks throughout the uk and europe. The water vole is britains fastest declining mammal, disappearing from 70% of known sites in only seven years between national surveys in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Species biodiversity action plans summaries water vole. Water vole survey habitat assessment, presenceabsence. Water voles are small burrowing rodents, which are associated with all kinds of water bodies.
Reintroductions as an essential conservation tool for. The course will also include an opportunity to see captive. A oneday introductory course on water voles, including a field visit and classroom sessions. Habitat fragmentation and the release of the mink thought to be as a result of animal activists in reaction to the fur trade, i know you cant. Learn more about water voles, our current conservation work to save them and how you can become a voleunteer with us by following the links below. Reintroductions as an essential conservation tool for water. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Enlarge and expand conservation projects to protect and enhance water vole populations at a landscapescale, to help water vole populations recover. Buy water vole conservation handbook 9780954637651. It is an excellent swimmer, and in britain is generally found near to flowing or still waters, although it has a preference for slow flowing watercourses with stable water levels. Water vole reintroduction projects the lessons and the success factors.
Traditional survey methods rely upon the recording of field signs indicative of the presence of water voles, as described in the water vole conservation handbook strachan et. The basic principles of trapping will also be discussed though this topic is covered in greater detail on the water vole live trapping, care and restoration course. The environmental records centre for cornwall and the isles of scilly has compiled a list of water vole records dating back to the 1960s. The water vole arvicola amphibious provides a vivid illustration of the process of conservation research, from the initial discovery that a species is declining, through diagnostic research into the causes, then development and testing of solutions, to the production and implementation of a strategy for the species recovery. They are similar in appearance to mice and rats but have a number of distinctive differences including a flatter snout and a shorter tail. Water voles are a native species that used to been seen down our waterways very recently up until the last 30 years or so. Water vole mitigation techniques natural england publications. Water vole conservation handbook download ebook pdf, epub.
The mink and the water vole, analyses for conservation book. Nhbs rob strachan, tom moorhouse and merryl gelling, wild cru. A watervole named ratty is a leading character in the 1908 childrens book the wind in the willows by kenneth grahame. The water vole sample pages published on dec 16, 2015 sample pages for christine gregorys book the water vole. Long fur covers water voles, dark brown to reddish brown on top, and gray, mixed with white or silver on their bellies. The water vole is britains largest vole with an adult weight of between 200 and 350g. Download water vole conservation handbook or read online books in pdf, epub, tuebl, and mobi format. The seasonal timing and weather conditions were appropriate for completing all aspects. At over 9 inches and around 4 ounces, the male adult is about twice the length and four times the weight of other voles in the state. A guide to water vole ecology and field signs since april 6th, 2008, it has been illegal to trap, harm, kill, injure or disturb water voles arvicola amphibius in their natural habitat.
Water vole distribution in green, taken from britains mammals 2018. There is detailed advice to be found in the water vole conservation. Water vole is notably larger than all other arvicoline rodents within its range, with the exception of common muskrat ondatra zibethicus. Water vole conservation handbook rob strachan, tom. The water vole survey was undertaken 16th april 20 at which time no access limitations were encountered. He oversaw numerous research projects on water voles during his time with oxford universitys wildlife conservation research unit, and wrote the first edition of the water vole conservation handbook, which was published in 1998. Traditional survey methods rely upon the recording of field signs indicative of the presence of water voles, as described in the water vole conservation handbook strachan et al. By minimising your use of water and avoiding wasting water you can help to keep rattys natural habitats wet and watervole friendly. Many of the text books cite ditches as being the best habitat for water voles. Water vole mitigation guidance important updates for evidencebased good practice.
Licence to displace water voles for development works. Although mature adults in lowland england can weigh up to 350 grams fully grown. Learn more about water voles, our current conservation work to save them and how you can become a vole unteer with us by following the links below. Water voles are fully protected under section 9 of the wildlife and countryside act 1981 as amended. Click download or read online button to get water vole conservation handbook book now.
Today, the water vole is listed as an animal that is of least concern of becoming extinct in the wild in the immediate future, as despite drastic habitat loss, water vole populations are still widespread and sustainable in much of their native regions. New water vole mitigation handbook ecology by design. As such, they are protected under uk wildlife conservation legislation, making them of material consideration in the determining of planning applications. Water voles arvicola amphibius are one of the uks fastest declining wild mammals and listed as a species of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in england, scotland and wales.
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