Spring Water Vole Survey – volunteer and learn more about the life and habitat of ‘Ratty’

We are happy to announce that we will be running our Spring water vole field sign survey in the Bude catchment and invite you to volunteer. Surveying will run on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd May from 9 am to 4 pm. The canal and river banks will be walked and the vegetation will be searched for field signs such as burrows, feeding stations, latrines, and runs. Please contact us if you’re interested in volunteering, or require more details.

A photograph of a water vole burrow entrance
A water vole burrow

Water voles have gone from a widespread species to near extinction in Britain, however, water voles are now slowly repopulating the land in the Bude catchment. Starting in the summer 2012, approximately 550 water voles have been released as part of a reintroduction programme. You can find out more about this project here on our website.

A photograph of a water vole feeding station next to the water edge of the riverbank with a 20p piece for scale
Water vole feeding station

Surveying now takes place twice a year to ensure the water vole populations are still thriving.

We recommend this event for anyone with an interest in wildlife and the local area and would like to learn more about water voles and how to spot field signs.

Tuesday 2nd May we will be surveying Cann Orchard and lower Cann Orchard at Marhamchurch.

Wednesday 3rd May we will be surveying Helebridge and the Bude Canal.

photograph of a patted water vole latrine with a 20p piece for scale
A patted water vole latrine

If you are interested, but unable to attend, we will be running another survey in Autumn 2017.


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