Water Vole Biodiversity Action Plan

Despite being found throughout the British Isles, the water vole population has declined significantly in recent years. Unfortunately little is known of the ecology or conservation requirements, and habitat fragmentation continues to isolate populations. On top of this disturbance, pollution and mink predation are problems. The introduced American mink is able to hunt them both in the water and in their burrows. This is unique among its predators and consequently means that they are unlikely to occupy the same stretch of river.

Water vole burrows have been protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 since 1998, but the voles themselves are not protected. To complement this research has been commissioned and the threats are to be tackled. Priority catchment areas are to have management plans drawn up to try and conserve the populations that we have. Widespread mink control is likely to be unworkable, but control may be attempted in some areas.

The survey objectives will be to check the same site sample every 5 years in all counties, and collate this at a national level. The water vole is to be regarded as an indicator species for the quality of riparian habitats.