The water vole is one of Britain’s most loved mammals. Despite being such a loved and charismatic animal, water vole numbers have plummeted with alarming speed nationally. The situation is particularly critical in the South West warns Cornwall Wildlife Trust. The water vole has not officially been recorded in Cornwall for seven years. Kate Stokes, the Water for Wildlife Manager at the Trust explains why the water vole is having such a hard time: 

“The water vole is not just loved by the British public, but a range of predators too. He’s quite a chubby chap and makes a substantial meal for foxes, stoats, herons, barn owls, buzzards and even fish like the pike. However, the real problem has been American mink. They are particularly fond of and good at catching water voles and can wipe out whole populations.”

Cornwall was part of the English stronghold for the mink, which are now believed to be in decline themselves, although conservationists fear this is too late to benefit the water vole. Recent research suggests that another key factor affecting the water vole is flooding. Despite being a semi-aquatic mammal that lives along riverbanks, they do not like sites that flood. Rob Wood, Biodiversity Officer for the Environment Agency says:

“People in Cornwall are all too aware how fast our rivers can flood and the impact it can have. For a small animal like the water vole it can have severe consequences. They can get flushed out of their burrows in the river bank and, if they survive the flood water, are left exposed to predators.” James adds, “Conversely the same is true in the summer. When the rivers have a low flow, their burrows are exposed leaving them vulnerable to predators like the mink and stoat which are small enough to go down their holes.”

Riverside vegetation is important as a bank with reeds or long grasses can provide suitable cover and protection. However, the peaceful riverbank that is the water vole’s home has changed beyond recognition over the last 50 years. Riverside management has seen an increase in mowing the lush vegetation, dredging the watercourse and grazing by livestock. Together with man-made modifications to reinforce riverbanks with concrete and increased water leisure pursuits, they have all contributed to the destruction of its habitat.

While Cornwall may never have supported huge numbers of water voles, they are certainly a natural part of the Cornish heritage. The last official records for the water vole were near Par and Helston in 1998. It would be particularly sad to lose the water vole from the County as it was while Kenneth Grahame was on holiday, in Fowey and Falmouth, that he was inspired to write the first drafts of the entertaining story The Wind in the Willows – and introduced the world’s most famous water vole Ratty.

Kate says, “It’s sad to think that generations of children in Cornwall will grow up not knowing what a water vole looks like. At the talks I give it’s always the older folk that know what a water vole is. Often they are fishermen, who like peaceful waterways like the water vole.” She adds, “It is easy to confuse a glimpse of the water vole with the brown rat and even the field vole. Not only do these species look similar but they can both swim well. We have identification guides to help people if they are interested.”

The water vole is generally associated with rivers and Ratty said ‘By it and with it and on it and in it…It’s brother and sister to me…it’s my world and I don’t want any other. What it hasn’t got is not worth having and what it doesn’t know is not worth knowing. Lord! The times we’ve had together!’. However, they can be found on almost any kind of waterway including ditches, streams, canals, ponds and even on moorland and marshes. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust is desperate not to lose the water vole. Spring comes early in Cornwall and already our wildlife is busy preparing to mate and breed and can be easier to see and hear while absorbed in these activities. If you think you’ve seen a rampant Ratty, let the Cornwall Wildlife Trust know on 01872 273939.

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