Water vole survey methodology

Undertake an otter and water vole survey on watercourses that will potentially be affected by the works. In 2018 water vole surveys are being undertaken on six river catchments in the county, using the same methodology as earlier surveys. One year of survey effort in 2019 will be sufficient. Proposed survey methodology for water voles and otters overview all waterways within the parcels of land under the proposal will be surveyed for water vole and otter presence. Survey work will be undertake during daylight hours during the optimum survey season april to september, when water voles are most active. Produce a factual baseline report outlining the methodology and results of the survey.

To satisfy this request, ribble ecology undertook a water vole survey on the 16th april 20. You can help by volunteering for our national water vole survey to regularly monitor sites. Breeding female water vole burrow with grazed lawn at waters edge. Home all posts gallery water vole survey water voles are a native species that used to been seen down our waterways very recently up until the last 30 years or so. The national water vole database and mapping project was established in 2008 by the uk water vole steering group to collate water vole survey records, map the distribution of this species and identify important areas for water vole conservation. It is the role of the appropriate licensing authority to define the criteria for issuing such licences as may be required for survey work, therefore, attainment of the skills set out is no guarantee that a licence. We can advise you on survey methodology, legal protection, mitigation options and the timing of development works. Mar 28, 2015 the water vole a quick guide was produced entirely by volunteers. Method statement in support of a water vole licence.

Proposals to permanently relocate water voles away from their original site must be justified. He oversaw numerous research projects on water voles during his time with oxford universitys wildlife conservation research unit, and wrote the first edition of the water vole conservation handbook, which was published in 1998. These differ in some important aspects from the methodologies used in the national water vole surveys undertaken by the vincent wildlife trust strachan and. Method statement in support of a water vole licence application. Acer ecology has extensive experience in surveying and designing mitigation for water voles and can advise you on survey methodology, legal protection, mitigation options and the timing of development works. The best practice methodology for completing water vole surveys was updated in 2016 to ensure more robust survey findings. The survey involves us carefully assessing riverbanks and bodies of water both on and off site, looking for water vole burrows, latrines, droppings and feeding signs. The water vole mitigation handbook sussex wildlife trust. The guidance currently covers a range of terrestrial and freshwater species. These will have a neat pile of nipped vegetation with sections between 5 and 10cms in length and are good field signs of water vole presence. The 19891990 national water vole survey strachan and jefferies 1993 estimated. Found along our waterways, it is similarlooking to the brown rat, but with a blunt nose, small ears and furry tail.

Predator occurrence was recorded by the presence of scats. Priority species under the uk post2010 biodiversity framework. As part of every water vole survey, the habitat suitability for this species will be assessed. Water vole survey report brook meadow nature reserve october 19 page 6 of 11 7. The water vole is under serious threat from habitat loss and predation by the nonnative american mink. The water vole a quick guide was produced entirely by volunteers. You can also get advice for helping water voles on your land and learn more about this wonderful creature via the links below. Simple survey method to be employed when projects and activities occur near water features with known or suspected water vole arvicola amphibious presence. These included tracks, runs, holes usually 5080 mm, feeding remains, lawns, droppings and latrines. Survey methodology water vole field signs were looked for along ditch, stream and river banks and around pond edges.

Although they do not hibernate, water voles are not very active above ground during the winter, so surveys should be carried out between april and. Warwickshire wildlife trusts tim precious and pete sanders training staff and volunteers in water vole surveying searching for signs of the uks elusive endangered water vole. Field vole, bank vole and woodmouse burrows are much smaller at only 2 3cms across. Two surveys are required to confirm presence and a population estimate of water voles. Water vole survey volunteer handbook greater manchester local. Protected in the uk under the wildlife and countryside act, 1981. Surveys should be done between april and october by an ecologist experienced in water vole ecology. This survey involved identifying signs of water voles.

The water vole, or water rat as its often mistakenly known, was once one of our most familiar riverside mammals. Water vole survey habitat assessment, presenceabsence. Provide mitigation methodologies for as many different circumstances as. The best time to conduct water vole surveys is during the breeding season when theyre most active. Acer ecology has extensive experience in surveying and designing mitigation for water voles and can advise you on survey methodology, legal protection, mitigation options. We will also be asking volunteers to record any field signs of mink and otter they encounter along their survey route. Water vole technical guidance series in association with.

As a result, lancashire county councils ecologists raised a request for further survey work, comprising an appropriately timed water vole survey. Survey water voles peoples trust for endangered species. Crewe green link road south otter and water vole report. Water vole survey water vole uk water vole the ecology. A desk study was carried out as part of the ecological appraisal report ch2m hill, 2014,which involved. You can help water voles by surveying annually to find out where they are present or absent to detect any changes in their populations and distribution. This was taken into account during the surveys, with such areas subject to survey. But despite full legal protection the species has still declined by as much as 95% across much of britain, highlighting the importance of survey work to. You can also get advice for helping water voles on your land.

This will take the form of a visual search for the presence of water voles and their signs. National water vole monitoring programme survey guidelines. Buy water vole conservation handbook 9780954637651. This survey should take between 45 mins and 1 hour. Birchall garden suburb water vole survey report filename. This is the ideal time to carry out a water vole survey as the water voles will be highly active and leave many signs, such as latrines conspicuous piles of droppings which can be used to confirm their presence during a survey. They held on in low numbers but by 2010 were probably present at only one or two locations. But the growth of dense scrub or trees is equally damaging it leads to a decline in the grasses, reeds, sedges and rushes that the voles eat. Water vole occurrence 10 was recorded in spring marchapril and autumn septemberoctober at each survey site by searching for field signs faeces, latrines and burrows at 10 m intervals within 2. Introduction the purpose of this document is to set out the knowledge, skills and experience required to survey, disturb, handle or to carry out research works hereinafter referred to generically as survey for the water vole arvicola. Water vole survey somerset levels our ecologists have extensive experience in surveying and designing mitigation for water voles. Competencies for species survey css these set the criteria for the knowledge, skills and experience required by ecologists undertaking a range of species survey work in a professional capacity.

This will enable comparison with previous survey data and an up to date picture of water vole distribution in the county to be established. In 2015 we launched the first national survey for 20 years that will guide the way for urgent action. Habitat fragmentation and the release of the mink thought to be as a result of animal activists in reaction to the fur trade, i know you cant. This consisted of identifying the extent and distribution of water vole through searches of both banks. The organisations referred to in the video and in the text above had no involvement in the making of the video. Water vole habitat can be damaged if grazing reduces the height of bankside vegetation. In the case of water voles, the survey determines whether watercourses up to 500 m from the proposed development have any signs or evidence of water vole usage. Two site visits to search for evidence of water voles, including feeding remains, latrines, footprints and grazed lawns.

Water vole populations in england, scotland and wales are at. Norwich road, attleborough water vole and otter survey jba 4 7 august 2018 2 methods 2. Together we can work to save our much loved water voles before its too late. Urban grasslands support threatened water voles journal of. Water vole mitigation techniques natural england publications. The water vole breeding season runs from april to september. At each site volunteers will walk a continuous 500m length of waterway bank looking for any water vole field signs. Water vole status at sites has been classified into three categories. The organisations referred to in the video and in the text above had no involvement in. Water voles may also select a favoured feeding spot along pathways, or on a haul out platform known as a feeding station. This supplementary report presents the methodology, results and conclusions. Nhbs rob strachan, tom moorhouse and merryl gelling, wild cru. Water voles in the uk are threatened with extinction. If water vole is identified and will be affected by the proposed works.

No signs of water vole activity were recorded during this survey. In upland habitats or northern parts of the uk the survey period is shorter generally midmay to midseptember, or june to august in upland scotland. Thomson ecology handbook practical techniques water vole. In addition, water voles may be present in areas with minimal bankside shelter and seemingly low abundance of food sources e. Water vole and otter survey methodology statement 030519. Oct 09, 2014 the water vole is fully protected under schedule 5 of the wildlife and countryside act 1981 and is a priority conservation species. Water vole presencelikely absence survey development of crossing points for haulage at land north of common lane, sturtonlesteeple cess1025rp03final 310816 3 methodology and methods of assessment 3. A guide to water vole ecology and field signs since april 6th, 2008, it has been illegal to trap, harm, kill, injure or disturb water voles arvicola amphibius in their natural habitat. National water vole monitoring programme survey guidelines 2015 welcome to the national water vole monitoring programme nwvmp survey guidelines, thank you very much for participating. Water vole survey site 17 july 2019 site 1 figure 4. The recommended survey period for water vole is between midapril and late september, when they are most active. Water vole species action plan worcestershire county council. Water voles will gnaw through willow branches up to 1 inch in diameter.

Otter and water vole surveys middlemarch environmental. The survey followed standard water vole survey methodology strachan and moorhouse, 2006 which consisted of searching for signs such as burrows, lawns, latrines, feeding stations and footprints. You can help water voles by surveying annually to find out where they are present or absent to detect any changes in. Within the survey period at least two survey visits are recommended. Water vole survey water vole uk the ecology partnership.

National water vole monitoring programme survey guidelines 2015. Water vole records made by the rutland natural history society rnhs showed that they were quite commonly seen in the 1960s and in the area now covered by rutland water, but the number seen in rutland had declined seriously between 1965 and 1976 fig. Fieldwork sessions will introduce you to survey methodology, identifying water vole signs in the field, identifying other riparian mammal signs particularly confusion species, and camera trapping. We also look for burrows, lawns, above ground nests, footprints, and vole pathways through the vegetation. These included tracks, runs, holes usually 5080 mm, feeding. Water vole surveys are generally undertaken by a twoperson team for reasons of health and safety, and include. Water vole presence was found at 37% of sites water vole possible presence was found at 17% of. A visual assessment of habitat to determine suitability to support water voles. This involved searching for evidence of water voles and making an assessment of habitat suitability. Ratty the character in the book wind in the willows written by kenneth grahame was actually a water vole and not a rat. Sadly, its now one of our most threatened native mammals. Water voles are the largest of britains vole species, but this once abundant riverbank mammal is under threat from mink. The technique utilises a methodology based on the technique used for the wellestablished great crested newt edna analysis technique, adapted to account for the varied habitats used by water voles.

Can you survey a site for water voles by taking part in the national water vole monitoring programme. Alternative, less invasive methods of monitoring water voles are therefore recommended, including burrow, feeding signs and trapping surveys. The survey will be carried out by an experienced ecologist and an assistant following the standard methodology. A water vole survey generally involves searching for and recording characteristic water vole field signs along the edge of a water course or water body. But despite full legal protection the species has still declined by as much as 95% across much. Recent developments in survey methodology include the use of edna and camera trapping techniques.

A water vole survey generally involves searching for and recording characteristic water vole field signs along the edge of a water. In 2002 worcestershire wildlife trust carried out a water vole survey within bromsgrove town, which informed the production of bromsgrove district councils water vole conservation strategy. Each year we will ask you to survey your sites once during may and submit your findings online, whether or not you found water voles or their field signs. Water voles are a native species that used to been seen down our waterways very recently up until the last 30 years or so. The survey methods are structured and repeatable allowing valuable. The course is suitable for professional ecologists and members of conservation bodies looking to identify or quantify water vole populations along. Acer ecology has extensive experience in surveying and designing mitigation for water voles and can advise you on survey methodology, legal protection.