Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris)
Species Description
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The water vole is a small semi-aquatic mammal that uses a wide range of fresh-water habitats. Important habitats for water voles within Northamptonshire include rivers, streams, ditches, ponds, canals, marshes, reedbeds, fens, gravel pits, lakes and reservoirs. The water vole is mainly herbivorous, feeding on grasses, sedges and rushes, with the predominant food being the common reed. Water voles excavate burrows in the riparian zone, with entrances usually being just above or below the water level, and sometimes on the top of the bank. The water vole has suffered a serious decline across Britain in recent years, and although the decline in Northamptonshire has been lower than the national average, this species is of critical concern. |
Water Voles are thought to remain in only a few isolated pockets in Northamptonshire. The only remaining colony that could be described as a stronghold exists on the northern edge of Wellingborough, but the persistence of this requires more recent confirmation. Other sporadic sightings have occurred in the past 5 years, which suggests that a few scattered individuals may still be surviving elsewhere.
Current UK Status and Trends
On average 11.21% of sites across Britain were positive in 1996-98, representing a loss of 69.63% occupied sites since 1989/90.
Estimated Current Northants Resource
26% of surveyed sites in the Anglian region contained water voles in 1996-98, representing a loss of 58.82% over 8 years. Occasional new records occur, but old records become unreliable.
Progress Towards BAP Targets 2002-2007
Swanspool Brook designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of water voles.
Lead Partner
The Wildlife Trust
Main Issues and Threats
General Strategy
Associated BAP Habitats
Specific Management Required for Associated Habitats
Species |
Management Prescriptions |
Key Sites |
Eutrophic Standing Waters |
Retain a patchwork of vegetation along banks, with cut and uncut sections. Vegetation should only be cut on one bank per year, and only between October and March. Riparian buffer strips should be created, with no grazing, cultivation or spraying within 6 m of the water. |
Canals and fishing lakes. |
Ponds |
As for Eutrophic Standing Waters. |
Unknown |
Reedbed |
Establish high edge/reed ratios and healthy fish populations. |
Nene Valley reedbeds. |
Rivers and Streams |
As for Eutrophic Standing Waters. |
Small, slow flowing streams and ditches. |
Targets
Target Code |
Target Type |
Target Description |
Target Units |
Northants Baseline Resource |
Target |
By |
Unit Cost £ |
Total Cost £ |
NOR_WAV_T1 |
Maintain Extent (Range) |
Maintain the current range (2 occupied 10km squares) of water vole in Northamptonshire. |
Occupied 10 km Squares |
2 |
No Net Loss |
2015 |
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NOR_WAV_T2 |
Expansion (Range) |
Achieve an increase in range by 1 new occupied 10km square in the county by 2015. |
Occupied 10 km Squares |
2 |
3 |
2015 |
Actions
Action Code |
Action Description |
Lead Partner |
Support Partner(s) |
Related Target |
NOR_WAV_SU_A1 |
Carry out annual surveys on the last known water vole positive sites. |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_WAV_T1 | |
NOR_WAV_SU_A2 |
Collate incidental records and plan extended surveys for 2008/9 based on these. |
The Wildlife Trust |
Environment Agency |
NOR_WAV_T1 |
NOR_WAV_SU_A3 |
Encourage the formation of a water vole conservation group to take forward the survey program. |
The Wildlife Trust |
Environment Agency |
NOR_WAV_T1 |
NOR_WAV_SP_A4 |
Designate all water vole positive sites as LWS. |
The Wildlife Trust |
Environment Agency |
NOR_WAV_T1 |
NOR_WAV_CA_A5 |
Produce management plans for all known water vole sites by 2009, and update if new sites are identified. |
Environment Agency, British Waterways |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_WAV_T1 |
NOR_WAV_CA_A6 |
Produce, publicise and distribute a best practice management leaflet by 2009 for landowners who have water voles on their land. |
Environment Agency |
NOR_WAV_T1 | |
NOR_WAV_CA_A7 |
Produce, publicise and distribute a best practice leaflet for engineering works on watercourses by 2009. |
Environment Agency |
NOR_WAV_T1 | |
NOR_WAV_SM_A8 |
Carry out natural mink control by encouraging the spread of otters into areas where water voles are still found. |
All |
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NOR_WAV_T1&2 |
NOR_WAV_HS_A9 |
Retain and improve bank side habitat adjacent to known and historical water vole sites, through agri-environment and other schemes where appropriate, to provide protection and encourage spread. |
FWAG, RNRP, British Waterways (canals) |
Environment Agency, The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_WAV_T2 |