A national survey of waterside locations undertaken bewteen 1989 and 1990 found that water voles had declined since the turn of the century by nearly two thirds. The rate of this decline was increasing then, and a follow-up survey found it to have reached a staggering 94% by the year 2000.
Appearance and behaviour Water voles have dark fur, a round body and a short, fat face. They have a long, fur-covered tail, and are Britain’s largest vole. They live on the banks of ditches, dykes, slow-moving rivers and streams, and in grassland. Water voles are expert swimmers, but are not particularly specialised for a life in the water, unlike beavers and otters. They burrow into riverbanks and make a nest, which they line with grass.
Conservation issues Water voles were once common and widespread in Britain but now rivers have been engineered, dredged and realigned, wetlands have been drained, farming practice has changed and many natural riverside habitats have been lost to development. For water voles, an additional threat to survival is also present on our waterways in the shape of American mink, which are now living wild in many locations and for who the humble vole is a favourite prey.
Wild facts “A little brown face, with whiskers. A grave round face...Small neat ears and thick silky hair. It was the water rat!” – The Wind in the Willows. The much loved Ratty character is in fact a water vole and although this animal is sometimes known as a water rat, it is a very different animal to our common rat. The book celebrates its 100th birthday this year. A great way to tell if water voles are about is to look for the tell tale signs they leave, such as footprints, burrows and droppings. They are active during the daytime, particularly in the early evening. You may hear the characteristic ‘plop’ of a diving water vole and see it doggy-paddle across a river searching the banks for food.
Where to see them In London there are still some locations where water voles thrive, the most notable of these being the inner Thames marshes, particularly at Rainham Marshes where the water vole population is so healthy it is considered nationally important. Some of our reserves are also home to water voles:
Crane Park Island
Frays Farm Meadows
In your patch Find out if the water vole has been spotted in your area with the fantastic WIMBY tool, run by GiGL – Greenspace Information for Greater London.
Spotted Have you seen a water vole in London? Let us know! Register with GiGL and tell us about the species you’ve spotted in the capital.
Find out more The London Wildlife Trust's Water Vole Project