I'm sure many of us are aware of the plight of the water vole. It's numbers have been decreasing in recent times due to the environment changing a great deal and there is now only 1 vole in 20 that were alive 80 years ago.

Another factor the water vole has to deal with is the introduction of the ferocious mink which can destroy populations of the voles in very small timespans. If you do see a mink, they are notoriously difficult to catch and if you did you wouldn't want to get near one, so it is probably best to contact the a local authority.

Although the water vole is one of the most rapidly declining species, many experts are still hopeful that this can be reversed. In a recent conservation effort in Sussex, the population tripled in three years which is obviously a great result.

An original target was to get the populations of the water vole from the 1970's back by 2010, which has now been recognised as unachievable. There's lots of local conservation efforts going on up and down the country so I am very hopeful that such a wonderful animal can be pulled back from the brink.

If you want to read more about the different conservation efforts around the country, have a look at the UK biodiversity action plan http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=115

At Carsington Water, here in Derbyshire, Seven Trent have created a pond just outside the wildlife centre. I was lucky enough to see water voles on a couple of occasions when I visited. I have photographed them and from looking at the photos, I can see that on one day I actually photographed two different individuals. Have a look here: http://www.rakm.co.uk/water_vole.html

Brilliant photos! You were so lucky to see one. It is great that so much effort is going into conserving such a wonderful animal. I knew they were in trouble, but I didn't realise their numbers had fallen by that much. Very scary.

They are great photos. It must have been good to see them after we all know the trouble they have been in recently.

I have been doing some more reading and found that the latest estimate for the numbers in the UK is just over 200000, which is around 90% less than their number around 100 years ago.

Otters are having an effect on the Mink population, which is good news. Rivers near me (Wales) are showing increase in Otters and a good drop in Mink.

It's also had to believe, that in some areas on the Continent the Water Vole is classed as an Agricultural pest. And they are not so reliant on Water courses.

Good pictures! Is a mink a pine martin sort of animal, or is it like a wild cat?

Hi Jamie.

The Mink would be the Pine martin type, though smaller they are close to being as agile. Mink prefer aquatic habitats, but can happily live away from such. Though they soon turn into a Wildcat if you catch hold of one

We have the American Mink, though there is another on the continent called the European Mink.


Chris.

Hi Jamie.

The Mink would be the Pine martin type, though smaller they are close to being as agile. Mink prefer aquatic habitats, but can happily live away from such. Though they soon turn into a Wildcat if you catch hold of one

We have the American Mink, though there is another on the continent called the European Mink.


Chris.

Oh rite thanks Chris. I don't know if anyone saw last years Springwatch on the BBC, but I think that a Minx or something stole and ate 2 moorhen chicks from the same brood.