Two hundred water voles released in Nidderdale are thriving in their new habitat, surveys have discovered.
Yorkshire Water released two groups of the endangered animals in 2020 and 2021 at Timble Ings Wood in the Washburn Valley.
Recent surveys suggest they are settling in well to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with signs of the animals up to 1km away from the original release site.
Surveys of the area have found burrows, droppings, and signs of feeding, such as piles of nibbled grass. There have also been regular checks for the water vole’s main predator, the American mink, which has not been spotted.
Philip Tennyson, recreation coordinator at Yorkshire Water said:
“While this is a successful project, water voles are particularly sensitive to disturbance, and the good work we’ve done so far can easily be lost.
“We would urge visitors to Timble Ings Woods to stay on the paths and keep dogs on a lead away from the ponds and watercourses to protect the fragile water vole population.”
Read More:
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- Nidderdale group offers dog leads to protect nesting birds
Water voles are classed as an endangered species, and have been identified as one of Britain’s fastest declining mammals.
They have been named as a priority species for protection in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and conservation efforts like the one in Nidderdale are crucial in preventing their extinction.
The project is part of Yorkshire Water’s Water Works for Wildlife initiative, which aims to enhance biodiversity in 15 local wildlife sites.
New home for water voles in NidderdaleTimble Ings Woods will be the new home of more than 100 water voles as part of a drive to help the endangered species to survive in the Nidderdale area.
Yorkshire Water owns the woodland where the mammals will be released, which is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
The company said the area is now an ideal habitat for water voles following its work on watercourses and banksides. Lee Pitcher, head of partnerships at Yorkshire Water, said:
“As Yorkshire’s second largest landowner, we’re committed to ensuring our land protects the management of water, but also benefits the environment by delivering exceptional land for the people of Yorkshire.
“One of the aims of our Land Strategy is to enable plants and wildlife to thrive on Yorkshire Water land. The work we’ve undertaken at Timble Ings Woods makes it a fantastic habitat for water voles and is important for the protection of this vulnerable species.”
Timble Ings Wood, where more than 100 water voles will be released
Timble Ings Woods is located in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which offers further protection to the landscape.
Kelly Harmar, biodiversity officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:
“Water voles are in decline nationwide and recent surveys in the AONB revealed precious few populations of water vole on our local rivers. This introduction is a positive step at a site chosen to maximise their chances of survival. We hope the new arrivals will be very happy in their new home.”
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Water voles are believed to be one of the fastest-declining mammals in Britain. They are under serious threat from habitat loss and predation by the non-native American mink.
The animals to be released locally have been bred in captivity by Derek Gow Consultancy, and will initially be held in large release pens to acclimatise to their new environment, before they are set free.