WHITCHURCH COMMUNITY WATER VOLE PROJECT

The Whitchurch area is one of relatively few places in Britain where water voles continue to thrive. This project aims to update our knowledge of local water voles, raise public awareness through a variety of activities; to work with landowners and local authorities to advise on the management of water vole habitats and on how funding can be provided for such work through the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.

Volunteers have completed survey days covering Staggs Brook from its source at Blakemere through Whitchurch to the canal on the western side of Whitchurch Waterway Country Park. Several thriving vole colonies have been found right in the town centre, in the pools on Hill Valley Golf Course, at Dearnford Trout Fishery and through the Country Park. Fewer signs of water voles were found towards Blakemere where there is a mink problem, but an otter's couch was found and hopefully the otters will deter the mink and allow the water voles to recover.

The enthusiastic band of surveyors is moving out in other directions to cover the whole of the Whitchurch area.

The project has been well covered by the local press and by the BBC, which recorded radio and TV interviews with our leading water vole spotters Albert and Carol Griffiths.

The project will continue at least into 2007 and anyone interested in taking part or who has water vole records for the Whitchurch area, should contact Malcolm or Anne Monie (link to swt enquiries email) Anyone new to this type of work will be teamed up with an experienced volunteer. To find out all the latest on the project visit www.woodlanereserve.co.uk/watervoles.htm

See also the results from the 2002 Whitchurch water vole survey