No need to be ratty, just be Ratty

Volunteers are being called to help save one of Britain’s fastest declining mammals, by taking part in a water vole survey which runs until June 15.

Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) runs the annual survey which requires volunteers to visit a local waterway and record their findings online at www.ptes.org/watervoles.

The survey is part of PTES’ National Water Vole Monitoring Programme to combat the decline in water vole populations.

Emily Sabin, water vole officer at PTES, said: “Arguably the best-known water vole is Ratty from The Wind in the Willows.

“Yet, despite his prominence, water voles continue to experience an ongoing decline, are listed as endangered on the red list for Britain’s mammals and are now facing extinction in Britain.

“No prior experience is needed, and we’re offering free online training and Zoom talks so that anyone can find out more and hopefully get involved.”

There are over 400 pre-selected sites volunteers can choose from, and if there isn’t a site nearby new sites can be registered.”

The data gathered enable conservationists at PTES to see where water voles are living and where they’re no longer living, which dictates where conservation efforts need to be concentrated.

Data from the survey’s eight-year history also show how populations are changing at a local level year on year, which adds to the nationwide, and long-term, picture of how Britain’s water voles are faring.

Water voles have glossy dark brown fur and a blunt snout with small, black eyes. Their ears are rounded and almost hidden, and, unlike rats, they have a furry tail.

They were once a common sight along Britain’s inland waterways, but loss and fragmentation of suitable habitat, combined with the arrival of non-native American mink in the 1980s and 1990s, h as resulted in their catastrophic decline.

PTES’ National Water Vole Monitoring Programme builds on previous work by the Vincent Wildlife Trust and aims to ensure water voles become commonplace once again.

To access the free online training, to sign up to one of PTES’ free Zoom talks or to find out more, visit  www.ptes.org/watervoles
People’s Trust for Endangered Species

Picture: A water vole. Picture Hugh Clark