Wild Animals/Water Voles

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Expert: Jonathan Wright - 4/22/2004


Question
Hi Jonathan,
I was wondering if you know where the largest population of water voles are living in the UK?
I know that they are extinct in several places they were once flourishing.
Thank you,
Karen

Answer
Dear Karen

Thanks for your question

I have searched in various books and websites and cannot find a definitive answer to your question. Basically the water vole has a very wide distribution, but does not tend to have large populations. I looked at a map of water vole distribution and the water vole does seem to be more concentrated in an area from the South coast (around Hampshire) and roughly north along the central areas of England to Scotland. It tends to be more patchy in the southwest and northwest of England and in much of Scotland, especially north Scotland.

Despite this 40% of the British population lives in Scotland, so this may be a good area to look for water voles. There are populations on Eilean Gamnha and Eilean Creagach, which are two small islets near the entrance of Loch Melfor in Argyll.

There are also populations in Anglesey, the Isle of Wight, Reads Island (in the Hyumber Estuary), Rye Meads (in the Lea Valley Park, near Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire), Romney Marsh, the Somerset Levels and Caisher in Lincolnshire. If you look up 'Arvicola' and 'Britain' in Google, you can find various sites where work is being done to conserve water voles. One of the main problems is due to introduced mink, so I would recommend you look for voles on islands, where the mink is less likely to have been introduced.

The most positive website I checked was: www.sthelenswildlife.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mammals.htm

This listed details of mammals recorded in St Helens. They said that water voles 'are quite common in St Helens, which is considered a stronghold for the species'.

Please be aware that conservationists are very wary about giving details of their wildlife, as this information attracts people and puts the wildlife at risk.

Apart from St Helens, I didn't find any positive sites, but I would advise you to visit any low-lying and level wetland areas, which are devoid of mink and, perhaps, are based on islands. You could always visit St helens as well.

All the best

Jonathan  

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Jonathan Wright

Expertise

I can answer questions about wild mammals and other animals, as well as extinct animals and zoos. I am not an expert about every animal species. I can look up information from books and the internet, but can't verify if all the information is true. Please don't ask questions about: 1. Pets. I am not a vet. Please contact a vet if your pet is ill. You may need to spend some money if you want your pet to live. Don't get a pet if you don't know how to look after it and if you can't provide it with the space, food and possible companions that will help it live a healthy life. Don't take animals from the wild, unless they are ill and/or injured and you can protect them until a wildlife charity can help. It is cruel to take animals from their parents, especially if the parents will look for the babies, while putting their other babies at risk. You may be breaking the law by keeping wild animals or you may need a licence to look after some species. Please check with a local wildlife group. 2. Eggs: Please don't remove eggs from nests. The mother birds provide the right temperature for the eggs and won't sit on them if the temperature is warm enough for them to develop naturally. It is illegal to remove eggs of some species and, unless you have an incubator or a broody hen, the egg may not develop. If you are allowed to touch the eggs, you can candle them to see if they are fertile. If theys aren't fertile, they won't hatch. 3. Fights: Please don't ask about fights between different animals. These questions assume that individuals of two species fight each time they meet and that one species will always be victorious over another. This is untrue. There are cases where a live mouse has been fed to a venomous snake, bitten the snake leading to the snake's demise. 4: Diseases: Please ask doctors or other medical experts about diseases that you may catch from animals. I can't advise on how to deal with viruses, bacteria etc.

Experience

I have a zoology degree and have been interested in animals since I was two. I am a zoo volunteer at London Zoo. I have appeared on a BBC Radio Quiz, 'Wildbrain'.

Organizations
WWF. ZSL. Natural History Museum. RSPB. London Bat Group.

Publications
Newsletters of London Zoo volunteers and the London Bat Group

Education/Credentials
BSC degree in Zoology. 'A' level in Zoology. 'O' Level in Biology.

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