If you are a frequent walker along the Bude canal you may have noticed a number of traps around the lock gate closest to the Weir. Westland Countryside Stewards are aiding Cornwall Council by relocating water voles in that area so necessary improvement works on the canal can take place.
Water voles are a protected species and therefore require a special licence from Natural England to allow them to be caught and relocated. Traps have been set up in the area, each with straw bedding and half an apple to keep a caught water vole comfortable. Our Conservation Officer, Teagen Hill, is checking traps twice a day. If any are caught, she will sex and weigh them and if they are a healthy weight they are released back into another location in the Bude marshes where the water voles have yet to colonise. Water voles that are underweight or pregnant females are being taken to Derek Gow Consultancy for overwintering. Trapping will continue until 5 days have passed without a water vole being caught.
If you are interested in the water vole colony in the Bude catchment you can read more about the project. If you’re keen to learn more about water voles you’ll be happy to hear we are looking for volunteers to help survey the catchment for water vole field signs this October. Click the link for further information and how to join.