Reintroduction success: Water Voles Return to Every English County

by Samanta Webster · 28th August 2014

With the release of 60 captive bred water voles (Arvicola amphibius) by the Environment Agency in the Cornish catchment of Bude water voles have now returned to every English county of the United Kingdom.

Water voles are a small 350 gram semi-aquatic rodent that lives in excavated burrows in rivers and streams, they are considered of Least Concern by the IUCN despite localised vulnerability and decline in the UK, and can be found throughout Northern and Central Europe. This is the first time they have been seen in Cornwall since 1989.

This was part of a nationwide scheme to halt the decline of the species due to habitat loss and the unintentional introduction of the American Mink.

The water vole is an iconic species of the British countryside, characterised by Ratty in The Wind in the Willows and seems to be a favourite amongst our follows:

Water vole at @RSPBRyeMeads pic.twitter.com/JQQw282SNM

— Neil Phillips (@UK_Wildlife) August 19, 2014

Water vole on the first foot bridge having some lunch @RSPBRyeMeads @wildlife_uk pic.twitter.com/SxbSil4S6I

— simon hummerstone (@SHummerstone) August 3, 2014

RT @terry_winter: @wildlife_uk Water vole at Magor Marsh #MagorMarsh pic.twitter.com/abVqKqW6C7

— Wildlife Sightings (@wildlife_uk) June 14, 2014

RT @aBugBlog: Water vole at Noddle Hill nature reserve today @YWTHullWildlife @wildlife_uk pic.twitter.com/Er8rU58XB5

— Wildlife Sightings (@wildlife_uk) April 29, 2014

RT @PeterWi66585234: @wildlife_uk Water vole. Taken today at Cromford Canal. pic.twitter.com/T0xjr9AvCx

— Wildlife Sightings (@wildlife_uk) April 7, 2014

If you want a good view of a Water Vole then come to WWT Slimbridge. This one has been showing very well @wildlife_uk pic.twitter.com/IlD8cYFmAa

— James Lees (@JamesSLees) March 28, 2014

RT @NorfolkBea: @sculthorpemoor @wildlife_uk Illiterate Water vole by the Kingfisher Bridge 😉 pic.twitter.com/6KlZdhGeip

— Wildlife Sightings (@wildlife_uk) February 6, 2014

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