I've never seen a water vole before, so my question is, where can I find and see them?
Also, how common are they? I know that they are legally protected these days so obviously there must be significantly less than there used to be. But are they so rare as to not have much chance of seeing one?
They are famous from Wind in the Willows of course. I know people get them confused often with rats too!
Hi Squirreler
Water voles are quite widely distributed but are in decline due to loss of suitable and habitat and an increase in the mink population. Strangely, I don't think the voles are actually protected but the habitat where they are found is.
I've not seen one for several years but I know where they are in my patch and can find the signs quite easily.Seeing them is a bit like seeing water rails - lots of waiting around and a bit of luck. I think they are most active at dawn and dusk and as you say are eaily confused with rats, especially in the water but have a very blunt nose in comparison.
Because they are hard to see their known distribution is likely to be underestimated and because they don't seem to be greatly affected by people (unlike mink) and can crop up in quite urban (and untidy) areas. Your local wildlife trust should be able to help point you in the right direction.
Best wishes
SCR
When I was much younger water voles were very common on the rivers where I went fishing. There was no occasion on which I would fail to see several of them, swimming across the river or munching vegetation on the bank. For this reason I find it difficult to accept that they are nowadays described as nocturnal. It is a simple fact of my own observation and of any other angler of my age (65) that when they were common they were active throughout the day, though certainly they were most obvious at dawn.
In recent years I have seen only one, though their footprints can usually be found on fresh mud in certain places.
As to recognising them as opposed to rats, it is like the difference between otters and mink - if you have seen them both you know they are quite distinct. The rat has a sharp nose and a long tail, the vole a rounded nose and short tail, and the vole moves in a more leisurely fashion and might not see you coming if you move slowly. If you see a vole you will not mistake it for a rat, just as if you see an otter you will not mistake it for a mink. (unless your name is Bill Oddy)
From April this year Water Voles are protected under schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside act.
I have seen Water Voles a couple of times now at my local patch mainly at dusk as they come out into the channel infront of the hide.
Thanks for the replies, it's good to hear that they are now protected. I'll keep looking for them, and will report back if I see one
