Water Vole
26th March 2009, ThursdayWater Voles are hard to see on the reserve but finding latrines which are used as territory markers can be easier to find. As the breeding season is now under way increased activity is becoming more obvious. Rafts used to monitor the presence of American Mink, a predator of Water Voles, have also become a handy way to see Water Vole activity. Two rafts which are monitored at Castle Water, in areas were Common Reed is the main feature along the margins, have started to show continued Water Vole activity. The picture below shows a well used latrine adorned with fresh droppings situated on the corner of a raft, obviously the picture hasn’t the aaah factor of a Water Vole but encouraging signs all the same.
