Water Vole Surveys
Ecology
Water voles are found in both urban and rural areas and feed on a variety of different plant species. Habitats occupied include water bodies with well vegetated banks such as streams, ditches, reed beds, marshes and ponds. Within the banks of the water body water voles excavate extension burrow systems which they use for protection from predators, sleeping and nesting.
Survey Methods
Direct sightings of water vole are rare and therefore surveying techniques rely on the observation of characteristics field signs including faeces, latrines, feeding stations, burrows and footprints.
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Protection & Legislation
Water voles are protected because they have shown a 90% decline in their numbers over the last fifty years; this is thought to be attributed to increased habitat isolation and predation from the introduced American mink.
The law regarding water voles was strengthened in April 2008 when the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 was amended. It is now an offence to:
- Kill, injure or take a water vole.
- Intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy its place of shelter e.g. a burrow.
- Intentionally or recklessly disturb a water vole when it is occupying a place of shelter
- Sell, buy or possess a water vole
Licensing & Mitigation
Licences are available from the relevant SNCO to allow activities that would otherwise be an offence, including:
- For scientific or educational purposes:
- For the purposes of ringing or marking
- For conserving wild animals or introducing them into a particular areas.
- Preserving public health or public safety
- Preventing the spread of disease
- Preventing serious damage to any form of property or to fisheries
Water voles are not listed on the European Habitats Directive 1992 and so are not protected by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). A licence is therefore not required under the Regulations.
The type of mitigation measures used depends on the mitigation strategy. The following are an example of common techniques:
- Water vole exclusion temporarily/permanently
- Vegetation clearance
- Habitat creation including creation of reed beds, ponds, ditches and fencing of banks
Contact Abricon for free initial advice on water vole surveys
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