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:
- 100 water voles released in Washburn Valley this week
- 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.
