Water vole surveys

Surveys for water voles are an essential part of environmental assessment prior to any work that may affect riparian habitat. Threats to water voles include habitat loss and degradation, population fragmentation, fluctuations in water levels, predation, pollution, persecution and rats.

As with many mammals, a sighting of a water vole is not always possible, as such water vole surveys are usually based on field signs which include;

• Faeces & latrines
• Feeding stations
• Burrows
• Lawns
• Nests
• Footprints and runways in vegetation.

As the water vole is a protected species, in cases of developments involving riparian habitats, environmental assessments should check for the presence of this species. A combination of field survey and desktop study searches should be undertaken, if present appropriate mitigation/enhancement/management changes should be implemented.

We also undertake water vole mitigation works. Recently we designed a water vole mitigation scheme for a Marina Development. Ecology Services liaised with the Environment Agency, County Council and British Waterways when designing the mitigation works, which were designed to ensure that the population of water voles remain stable at the site. The mitigation works include clearance and exclusion works, habitat enhancement, habitat creation and monitoring.

Photo: Water Vole. © Simon Booth Photography