Water Vole Survey

Call Ecology by Design on 01865893346 or email hello@ecologybydesign.co.uk

Water Vole Survey Guidelines for Developers

Because water voles are protected by UK Law, developers need to commission a water vole survey if they think any land is potentially inhabited by water voles. Water vole populations have been steeply declining due to the pressure of development, habitat loss and predation by American mink.

How to avoid disturbing a water vole

Disturbing water voles can be avoided by making minor changes to working practices, but if disturbance is unavoidable a conservation licence will be required to allow works to proceed. The licence acts as a permit to exclude the water voles from the site. Once works have been completed the site will be re-instated and enhanced to demonstrate a net conservation gain. In specialist scenarios, Ecology by Design can work with captive breeding programmes to remove the voles, breed them and release them once your works are complete.

Where to expect to find a water vole

Water voles are often found in:

Slow running rivers

Streams - Ditches

Lakes

Reed beds

Marshes

Ponds with steep banks

Upland areas

Heathlands

Why is the water vole endangered?

Habitat loss and the introduction of the American mink caused an increase in their decline.

Facts about the Water Vole

Water voles live in burrows which can extend up to 3 metres from the water’s edge.

Females often make complex lawns of grazed vegetation around the burrow entrance

Female territory can extend as far as 150m and males range as far as 300m

Water voles are most active during the day but it's rare to actually see one

Water voles do not hibernate, but are less active in cold weather

Water Vole Survey Guidelines

When to conduct a water vole survey

The best time to conduct water vole surveys is during the breeding season when they're most active. We are qualified to advise you about every aspect of water vole conservation, including surveying, river corridor management and mitigation. Water vole surveys can take place between early April and late October. Two surveys are required to confirm presence and a population estimate of water voles. Our survey reveals whether watercourses up to 500m from your site contain evidence of water voles.

The survey involves:

• An assessment of riverbanks and bodies of water both on and off site

• Looking for water vole burrows and latrines

• Looking for water vole droppings and feeding signs

Aquatic vegetation can limit surveys, in some cases survey methods are specially adapted to include access via kayaks, boats and remote trail cameras.

The report we provide includes:

A summary of the legal implications of water voles on the site

The enhancements and mitigation recommended to help you achieve a successful planning application while protecting these rare mammals

Otter surveys can often be completed in tandem with water vole surveys.

Arrange a Water Vole Survey

We are qualified to advise you about every aspect of water vole conservation, including surveying, river corridor management and mitigation. Water vole surveys can take place between early April and late October.

Two survey visits are required, one early in the year and one late, to account for the seasonal variations in their numbers.