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WATER
VOLES ON BROOK MEADOW
For
current sightings go to
... Sightings
This page provides all the news and sightings of Water
Voles on the River Ems and on the Lumley Stream on Brook
Meadow, Emsworth,
They are delightful
animals, and can be seen throughout the year swimming in
the river or nibbling vegetation on the river banks. They
provide local people with a great deal of pleasure. Their
burrows are also easy to spot just above the water line
on both sides of the river.
At the beginning of the
season we think at least four females hold territories
along with two or more males whose territories overlap
those of the females. As the season progresses the number
of voles increases dramatically and they can be seen also
anywhere.
Here
is an early digiscoped photo taken on the river bank in
Palmer's Road Copse
External link for for
further information on Water Voles . .
.
http://www.biodiversitysussex.org/watervole.htm
.
REPORTING
SIGHTINGS OF WATER VOLES
We keep a log of all
Water Vole sightings so if you do see one please report
it to . . . .Brian Fellows on 01243 375548 or e-mail to
brianfellows at tiscali.co.uk
Total number of Water
Vole sightings reported in the following
years:
2009 - 124
2008 = 161
2007 = 27
2006 = 17
2005 = 50
Note: this does not mean
there are this number of Water Voles on the river, since
most of these sightings will have been of the same
animal.
PROTECTION
OF WATER VOLES
With such a valuable
animal in our midst, protection of its habitat is
important. With this in mind the conservation group have
erected dead wood fences to restrict access to certain
parts of the river. Water Voles are easily disturbed,
particularly during the breeding season, so please do not
damage fences or walk on river banks.
Dogs can be a problem,
particularly if they are allowed into the river during
the breeding season (March - September) . So we urge dog
owners to take special care to keep their pets out of the
river and to prevent them digging into the river banks.
Signs on the river banks indicate where these areas are.
SURVEYS
The Brook Meadow
Conservation Group have conducted several Water Vole
surveys with the guidance of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust
to confirm the presence of a small but healthy population
of Water Voles along the banks of the River Ems, as it
passes through Brook Meadow. Water Voles are also present
in the Lumley Stream and on Peter Pond and near Lumley
Mill and on the mill race to Westbourne. See below for
details of the surveys.
THE
WATER VOLE IS THE MOST HIGHLY ENDANGERED MAMMAL IN
BRITAIN
The Water Vole is the
most highly endangered mammal in Great Britain, their
numbers having declined dramatically over the last 50
years. So, here in Emsworth, we are very fortunate to
have Water Voles living in our town along the banks of
the River Ems and the Lumley Stream. Numbers of Water
Voles in Great Britain have gone down dramatically over
the last 50 years. A national survey in 1998 found that
Water Voles were absent from 90% of sites occupied by
them 60 years ago. If this trend continues Water Voles
will be extinct in 2003. The Water Vole is one of only 9
mammals listed on the UK Biodiversity Action
Plan.
OTHER
LESS KNOW FACTS ABOUT WATER VOLES - thanks to Graham
Roberts
Water Voles go grey as
they age. They usually survive only 2 winters.
Brown Rats will kill young Water Voles. They also
transfer diseases to them.
There are no Water Voles in Ireland.
Water Voles are not fussy about water quality. They can
live in mucky streams.
Water Voles are found in saline habitats, but they need
to return to fresh water at least once a day to clean off
their fur.
The silt from the diggings of Water Voles is dispelled
into the stream. Brown Rats disperse their waste soil
around the holes.
The population of Water Voles depends on the quality of
habitat. Normally a male Water Vole will have a territory
of around 100 metres, but this can be down to 20 metres
in favourable habitats.
Water Voles will eat anything green. One study listed 260
species of plant that voles ate.
When rivers dry out Water Voles are easily predated.
There are only 2 sites in Sussex where Water Voles have a
foothold, Chichester flood plain and Pett Levels.
American Mink - females are the main predators of Water
Voles. Males cannot get into the burrows.
Graham Roberts of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust is
undertaking a full survey of all the Water Voles in
Hampshire, including a trapping programme with electronic
marking of animals.
Dogs and people deter Mink in urban environments while
Water Voles are fairly tolerant of their
presence.
Comment
from Charlotte Murray - Environment Agency - 31 July
2009
I
called into Brook Meadows a few weeks ago to be greeted
by a Water Vole happily swimming across the River Ems and
trout swimming up stream. Wandering along the river I was
really pleased with all the work the Operations Delivery
has undertaken following our meeting a couple of years
ago. The River is looking really good with a nice balance
of open water areas supporting good macrophyte coverage
and sections a little more shaded by trees with woody
debris in the watercourse. All of this provides a good
mosaic of habitats for the variety of species inhabiting
the river and its banks. In the future it should be a
relatively simple job to manage the vegetation to retain
this balance, including infrequent tree works. Adam Cave
from our team will be working closely with Operations
Delivery this year to help them continued the good work
as and where necessary.
Comment
from Graham Roberts - Water for Wildlife Officer with
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust - 7 May
2008
"I
really must congratulate you on compiling such a vast
amount of data re water voles and the Brook Meadow site.
I agree with your thoughts re family set ups and it is
very likely that particularly at the beginning of the
breeding season that the ratios of males to females is
what is to be expected. As the first brood start to
disperse, if the habitat is good and contiguous then
territories become reduced. This normally balances back
out again at the end of the season and after the winter
natural declines. It is good to hear that there are good
numbers of young voles being observed. This certainly
indicates that there is plenty of the right type of food
available early in the year. At some marginal sites it is
not unusual for female voles only to have one or two
young first off in the spring so this is very
encouraging."
WHERE
TO LOOK FOR WATER VOLES ON BROOK
MEADOW
Water Voles can be seen
almost anywhere along the River Ems in Brook Meadow.
However, they are recorded mostly in the following areas
of the River Ems:
A - from the north bridge
to the bend in the river,
A1 - parallel to the
railway embankment - NEW
in 2010
B - in the area in front
of the gasholder down to the S-bend,
C - from the sluice gate
north to the S-bend
D - from the south bridge
north to the sluice gate.
The following map shows
these areas marked in red. Water Voles have also been
seen on the Lumley Stream and on Peter Pond to the east
and south of Brook Meadow - as shown in red.
WATER
VOLE SIGHTINGS ON BROOK MEADOW -
2010
Areas for reporting
sightings
River
Ems
Section A1 (area parallel
to the railway embankment) = 15
Section A (north bridge
area - north to the bend) = 11
Section B (gasholder area
- to the north bridge) = 13 + 1 young
Section C (sluice gate
area - to the S-bend) = 12 + 4 young
Section D (south bridge
area - in Palmers Road copse) = 14
Lumley Stream/Peter Pond
= 0
Total = 70
Sightings -
In
reverse chronological order
. . .
19 Aug (08:45) - River
Ems A
Ros Norton was delighted
to see a Water Vole just north of north bridge, moving
along west bank.
12 Aug (07.30) - River
Ems A
Pam Phillips had a good
view of a Water Vole swimming in the river about 10
metres north of the north bridge.
09 Aug (10.15) - River
Ems D
Ros Norton saw her first
Brook Meadow water vole of the year from south bridge
looking north. It swam across the stream and nibbled some
forget-me-not leaves . A few minutes later it swam across
further away.
04 Aug (07:30) - River
Ems A1
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole along the river adjacent to the railway embankment,
the first we have had from this location for a couple of
months.
01 Aug (11:00) - River
Ems A
Richard Somerscocks
reported a Water Vole swimming acorss the river north of
the north bridge.
30 July (07:30) -
River Ems A
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole sitting on the red roots of a Willow tree north of
the north bridge and then swimming alongside the bank.
27 July (09.25) -
River Ems D
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole eating vegetation on the east bank of the river from
the south bridge.
20 July (1pm) - River
Ems D
Frances Jannaway saw a
Water Vole at 1pm along eastern riverbank just north of
south bridge. It was eating some leaves under the
vegetation.
19 July (12.30pm) -
River Ems D
Caroline French saw an
adult vole swimming downstream and under the south
bridge. "It was swimming for quite a way along the bottom
of the river, which I haven't seen one do before -
usually when I see them they are swimming on the surface
unless diving to escape danger. At first I though it was
a trout! I saw it again about five minutes later, just
south of the bridge, swimming from the west bank to the
east bank."
8 July 07.15) - River
Ems A1
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole in the vegetation near the tunnel under the railway
in the north-east corner of the meadow. This is the first
ever sighting we have had this far along the river. It is
probably a vole doing a bit of explotation.
6 July (18.00) - River
Ems D
Brian Fellows spotted a
Water Vole on the west bank, about 20 metres north of the
south bridge, chewing away on bankside vegetation.
2 July (07.15am) -
River Ems C
Pam Phillips saw a baby
Water Vole in the river south of the S-bend.
1 July - River Ems
D
Pam Phillips reported a
Water Vole was seen in the river north of the south
bridge by Paddy.
8 June - River Ems
C
7 June - River Ems
C
Roger Mills saw Water
voles both 7th (twice) & 8th June in area C near
Palmers Road side. On 8th emerged from holes and swam for
considerable distance southwards before parking up on
meadow side.
7 June (07:15) - River
Ems C
Tony Wootton saw a Water
Vole swimming in the River Ems near the sluice gate and
got a nice photo of it.
6 June (11:00) - River
Ems A
Brian Fellows was very
pleased to see a Water Vole swimming beneath the west
bank of the river, about half way between the north
bridge and the north bend, before disappearing into a
burrow above a wooden bank support. It was too quick for
a photo.
2 June (14:00) - River
Ems B
Jim Berry saw a Water
Vole emerge from a hole on the west bank of the river
below the gasholder and move into the vegetation.
29 May (18.30) River
Ems B
Jane Brook spent about
half an hour in total this evening watching entranced as
a Water Vole sat eating bramble, just by the gasometer in
Brook Meadow. For about 15 minutes he (or she!) was down
at the water's edge, whilst a juvenile coot or moorhen
(not sure which)was foraging close by. Then I went to
meet up with Andy and we found the water vole again, only
this time further up the bank sitting on the bramble.
29 May (12:00) - River
Ems D
Patrick Murphy braved the
rain this morning to walk down to the village and then
back through Brook Meadow. Delighted to see a water vole
having it's lunch about 10 metres north of the south
bridge on the east bank. Despite the rain and overcast
conditions managed to get a photo
20 May (16:30) - River
Ems C
Roy Millea saw a Water
Vole at about 17:45 on the bend between B and C on the
map. He said it looked like it was tea time!
20 May (16:30) - River
Ems C - 1 adult 1 young
Caroline French saw two
Water Voles: 16.30 one young vole at exactly the same
place as we saw one last Saturday 16:45 one adult a
little further upstream, not nearly as far as the S bend.
Here is Caroline's photo of the young vole.
20 May (17:00) - River
Ems B
Graham Hoggarth met a
lady on Brook Meadow who had just seen a Water Vole, but
he did not get a good look before it disappeared into the
vegetation. This was along the main straight of the river
about half way along towards the bridge.
20 May (11:00) - River
Ems B 1 adult 1 young
During this morning's
work session a baby Water Vole and (presumed) mother were
spotted in the Ems just north of the 'S' bend - an
encouraging observation which delayed path trimmers Pam
and Dave's appearance at coffee.
20 May (112:30) -
River Ems A - 2 Water Voles
Robin Pottinger reported
two vole sightings today, about 12.30. First one north of
the north bridge, just short of where the river bends
east to follow the railway. Feeding on the west bank.
Haven't seen one here for two or three years. The second
one immediately north of the north bridge, again feeding
on the west bank. Definitely two separate creatures.
20 May (112:30) -
River Ems A
Mike Probert saw a Water
Vole (red brown;? slightly less than full size) on a
ledge nibbling at water level in the west bank north of
the north bridge.
Mike also wrote to Fran
Southgate about possible Water Vole footprints (plus poo)
in the mud on the edge of the Lumley Stream. Grid ref
SU75150605. Photos also sent. Note: we have not had any
Water Vole sightings from the Lumley Stream area this
year.
18 May (07:30) - River
Ems A1
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole on the railway embankment just past the wooden
support. It was eating Bramble leaves.
17 May (12.00) - River
Ems C
Ros Norton e-mailed me to
say although she did not see any Water Voles herself, she
did speak to a man photographing plants only a few yards
north of where the voles were seen on Saturday. He said
he had just seen a Water Vole there but had no photo.
15 May (12.00) - River
Ems C - One adult and two young
Members of the Havant
Wildlife Group had good views of
one
adult Water Vole and two babies
in the area around
the Bulrushes north of the observation fence. This is the
first report of youngsters this spring. Heather Mills got
a nice photo of the adult munching on a blade of grass.
13 May (08.45) - River
Ems B
I made an early start
this morning and was rewarded with a nice view of a Water
Vole at 08.45. It was munching on Bramble leaves, about 3
feet up the river bank immediately beneath the gasholder.
I watched it for about 5 minutes, taking a few photos,
though it was partly hidden in the vegetation. It was not
surprising to find this animal so high up the bank given
the high river level in recent weeks, though the river
level has dropped in the past few days and no longer
floods the path through Palmer's Road Copse. Brian
Fellows
12 May 12:30) - River
Ems D
Robin Pottinger saw one
about 30 yards south of the sluicegate on the east bank,
feeding on the vegetation.
11 May (pm) - River
Ems A1
Frances Jannaway saw a
Water Vole on the railway embankment eating away at the
vegetation
11 May (07:30) - River
Ems C
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole briefly about 20 yards south of the S-bend.
04 May (11:00) - River
Ems A
Robin Pottinger saw a
water vole 10yds north of the north bridge, up on the
west bank, stationary in the vegetation. It was quite
motionless but was clearly watching me, though seemed
quite unperturbed.
02 May (11:00) - River
Ems B
Wally Osborne reported
that at the Sunday morning workday, a member of the
public told him that he had just had a really good view
of one Vole on the western river bank near to the
Gasholder
02 May (07:30) - River
Ems A1
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole on the northern section of the river by the railway,
about 6 feet to the right of the boarding, munching away
on Bramble leaves.
29 Apr (12 noon) -
River Ems A1
John Jacob, who was
thrilled to watch his first ever Water Vole munching on a
leaf for about 5 minutes on the railway embankment. When
a train went past the vole popped down into the water
behind a plant.
29 Apr (7.30am) -
River Ems A1
Pam Phillips reported a
Water Vole swimming in the river near the railway
embankment at 7.30am.
Note
from Graham Roberts
Graham Roberts of the
Hampshire Wildlife Trust e-mailed to confirm that Water
Voles have generlly been slow to emerge this spring after
the hard winter. He was encouraged to hear we have had so
many confirmed sightings.
Regarding the effects of
the rising river levels, Graham said that our Water Voles
should be used to fluctuations in water levels. Our high
and well vegetated banks should provide a good refuge for
them. His only concern was, if the velocity increase in
the river flow is considerable for too long, then the
underwater entrances to burrows will be eroded away,
resulting in a collapse of the banks. Voles can
re-excavate but that would definitely set them back. I
don't think this has happened on Brook Meadow, but I
shall keep a look out for it.
23 Apr (2pm) - River Ems B
Ruth Portwin saw a Water
Vole in the river south of the north bridge, nibbling on
a leaf and then swimming downstream towards the
gasholder. This was good news as it was the first
sighting since the extraordinary rise of water level in
the River Ems.
19 Apr (8.45am) -
River Ems A1
Brian Fellows reports: My
wife and I saw a Water Vole eating bankside vegetation on
the northern section of the River Ems by the railway.
This one was in a similar position to the vole I saw on
April 14 and could have been the same animal. As before
it was partially hidden by vegetation, but I managed to
get the following photo of the creature looking directly
at us as it munched away on what looks like Hemlock
Water-dropwort!
19 Apr (8.45am) -
River Ems D
Robin Pottinger had
another Water Vole sighting this morning, this time about
10 yards north of south bridge on east bank. Another very
plump looking specimen.
18 Apr (17:00) - River
Ems A1 - 3 sightings
Caroline and Ray French
saw three Water Voles on the river parallel to the
railway, just opposite the first willow you come to on
the south bank. They saw one at 16.45 and then two
further voles, one of which swam downstream alongside the
wooden reinforced bank until it reached the end of that
and then climbed up the bank and into the vegetation
above and behind. The other was on the bank about 1m east
of the eastern end of the wooden reinforcements. There
was a lot of activity and there may even have been more
than three voles in total but we can only confirm three.
Three medium-sized dogs swam/waded upstream through the
bend in the river at one point and the voles disappeared,
but only for a few minutes. Here are two photos Caroline
took of the voles.
18 Apr (am) - River
Ems D & C
Robin Pottinger had two
Water Vole sightings (his first of the year). One about
30-40 yards south of the sluice gate on the east bank,
the other just by the sluice gate (slightly north of it)
also on the east side. He was pretty sure they were two
separate creatures. They were both (if it was two) pretty
chunky looking chaps.
17 Apr (5.30pm) -
River Ems C
Alison Gerard was
delighted to see her first Water Vole of the year. "After
swimming, he/she sat on the bank looking at me for about
20 mins - fascinating. Location - if you take the path
from Lumley Rd, go straight across the meadow to the
stream, it was just there. "
14 Apr (12.15) -
River Ems A1 - Photo
I walked along the main
river path, looking for Water Voles and had no luck until
I reached the section of river parallel to the railway.
Vegetation was moving on the river bank about 3 metres to
the right of where the wooden bank support ends. After a
few minutes, I was rewarded with a tantalising glimpse of
a eye and a nose, but nothing more. This was the 5th
sighting of the year from this section of the river,
where we have had none at all in previous years.
Observer: Brian Fellows
14 Apr (12.15) - River
Ems D
Frances Jannaway saw her
first Water Vole of the year just north of the south
bridge. The vole swam upstream on the eastern bank, got
out of the water and had a scratch before crossing the
river and swimming upstream on the western
bank.
14 Apr (07:30) - River
Ems A
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole swimming in the river about 10 yards north of the
north bridge and well before the bend. It disappeared
into a burrow hole on the west bank. This is the first
sighting from this area, apart from a very early one near
the bend. This has always been a good place for sightings
in previous years.
11 Apr (20:00) - River
Ems D
I had a good view of a
Water Vole nibbling vegetation on the east bank of the
river about 10 metres south of the sluice gate. Too dark
for a photo. Observer: Brian Fellows
10 Apr (11:00) - River
Ems A1
Debbie Robinson told me
that a lady named Ann saw a Water Vole swimming in the
river by the railway embankment.
09 Apr (17:30) - River
Ems D
Caroline French saw two
voles at 17.30 today, one about 12m and one about 18m
north of the south bridge. These were our first sightings
in this area.
09 Apr 2010 (12.15) -
River Ems A1
Patrick Murphy had his
first brief sighting of a Water Vole this year in the
stretch of river that runs parallel with the railway line
on the north bank just to the east of the wooden
embankment reinforcement. Two very brief sightings and no
chance of a photo.
08 Apr 2010 (5pm) -
River Ems A1
Gavin Miller phoned me to
say he had two sightings of Water Voles on the River Ems
about half way along the section adjacent to the railway
embankment. Gavin was not sure if two separate voles were
involved as he did not see them both together.
Nevertheless, this was a significant sighting, as it was
the first we have had from that area of the river for
several years. The river banks in this area have always
been unsuitable for Water Vole activity, though this year
they are looking far more vole friendly. I have added
this as a new area on the Water Vole sightings map - see
above - labelled A1. So please include this area in your
looking.
06 Apr 2010 (07:30) -
River Ems C
Pam Phillips saw two on
her regular early morning walk through the meadow. The
first was seen at 7.30am on the west bank of the river
just north of the sluice gate, among the Bulrushes. This
is particularly good news as it was the first sighting we
have had from this area, which has always been a popular
one in past years.
06 Apr 2010 (07:30) -
River Ems B
The second Water Vole was
seen swimming down stream below the gasholder, where most
of this year's sightings have come from.
05 Apr 2010 (19:00) -
River Ems B
Caroline French saw her
first two Water Voles of the year. She spotted the first
one just south of the factory building at 7pm. It came a
few metres upstream and sat on the west bank. While she
was watching it, a second vole swam downstream and came
within about 30 mm of the first vole, then there was a
very brief chase and Caroline lost sight of them both for
a few seconds. One reappeared further downstream and swam
back to where the first one had been sitting on the bank!
Caroline kept watch on this one for about half an hour as
it gradually made its way a considerable distance
downstream halfway around the 'S' bend. At one point
Caroline thought it may have been marking a latrine with
its hind legs, but it may have just been scratching. It
was eating nettles.
Caroline had the
impression that the first vole had some sort of mark on
the back of its neck and thought maybe males will grab
females at the back of the neck. I have seen several
voles over the years with marks on their necks and
Caroline is probably right that they are the result of
courtship skirmishes.
05 Apr 2010 (07:30) -
River Ems C
Pam Phillips phoned to
say she had seen a Water Vole at 7.30am this morning, on
the east bank about half way between the S-bend and the
sluice gate. This is only the 5th sighting this year, but
in a new location, which hopefully means a different
animal from those previously seen between the gasholder
and the north bridge.
03 Apr (09.30) - River
Ems B
Brian Fellows was looking
south from the north bridge, and saw a bundle of brown
fur at the foot of the eastern river bank, just below the
large branch across the river. He slowly edged along the
river bank towards it. The Vole remained perfectly still,
but eventually, it turned round and swam a little way
south and disappeared into the foot of the bank.
02 Apr (07:30) - River
Ems B
Pam Phillips saw a Water
Vole swimming in the river north of the gasholder. It
swam up river the where the large branch is across the
river and disappeared.
30 Mar (11.15) - River
Ems B
Roger Mills saw a Water
Vole at 11.15 am yesterday (30 March) on the east side of
River Ems about 20 yards south of North Bridge. Roger
watched it for about 30 secs before it disappeared into
burrow. This was only the second Water Vole sighting of
2010. We really should be seeing them more often as they
get into their breeding cycle.
17 Mar (07:30) - River
Ems A
A very excited Pam
Phillips phoned me this morning to say she had just seen
a Water Vole on the river bank north of the north bridge
on Brook Meadow at about 7.30am. This is our very first
sighting of the year. So, they are definitely still with
us!
WATER VOLE SIGHTINGS ON BROOK MEADOW -
2009
Location
of sightings
Section A (north bridge
area - north to the bend) = 40
Section B (gasholder area
- to the north bridge) = 22 + 1 youngster
Section C (sluice gate
area - to the S-bend) = 23 + 2 youngsters
Section D (south bridge
area - in Palmers Road copse) = 23 + 1
youngster
Lumley Stream/Peter Pond
area = 11
Total of sightings for
2009 = 124
Monthly Totals:
Jan = 13, Feb = 6, Mar =
19, Apr = 43. May = 18, Jun = 13; July = 4, Aug = 1, Sep
= 3, Oct = 0, Nov = 0, Dec = 1
Number of sightings in
previous years
2009 = 124
2008 = 161
2007 = 27
2006 = 17
2005 = 50
Sightings for 2009
6 Dec
(13.15) - River Ems B - Prompted
by the lack of recent Water Vole sightings on Brook
Meadow, we went to have a look for ourselves and spotted
one directly below a thick dead branch sticking up from
the bank by AD Williams. The vole was directly below it,
at the water's edge, munching on bramble leaves.
Caroline & Ray French
25
September (18.10) - River Ems D -
We watched an
adult Water Vole just north of the South Bridge. We also
glimpsed two other smaller rodents close by, which we
hoped were young Water Voles. The colour seemed right but
the tail that we saw looked long and they didn't have the
right jizz for Water Voles. We concluded they were
probably Brown Rats. Caroline & Ray French
3
September (4.15pm) - River Ems D -
I had a good view
of one from the south bridge swimming to the east bank.
My second sighting of the day! Brian Fellows
3
September (12:15) - River Ems A -
Saw one swimming
beneath the east bank of the river from the north bridge.
Brian Fellows
7
August (8pm) - Peter Pond -
Jean and I were
on the small footbridge to the north of Peter Pond when
we saw a Water Vole swimming in the channel between the
reeds. Brian Fellows
31
July (8.40pm) - River Ems D -
My husband Keith
saw a lot of water vole activity over a 15 minute period
on the way back from the pub on Friday evening. He stood
on the South bridge and had 5 sightings, but it may well
have been the same vole five times, I suppose! Juliet
Walker
26
July (17:45) - River Ems C -
Ray and I saw an
adult Water Vole just downstream of the S bend
Caroline French
20
July (am) - River Ems D -
I saw a water
vole yesterday about 10 yds north of the south bridge. It
swam from the east bank to the west bank. Tony Wootton
7 July
(07.30) - River Ems C - A
baby Water Vole feeding on vegetation in the centre of
the stream south of the S-bend. Pam Phillips
25
June (??) - River Ems D -
This is one
having a good scratch. It was at the south bridge just
south of the bridge (almost under it if you see what I
mean) Roy Miles
23
June (20.30) - River Ems C -
Watervole just
north of Palmers Rd Car Park Bridge what looked like a
youngster darting in and out of a patch of weed from
Meadow side looked to be feeding. Watched for five
minutes during which time it made a couple of return
trips then it stayed in Meadow side Bank and didn't
reappear. Roger Mills
22
June (12.00) - River Ems D -
An adult Water
Vole seen from the south bridge. Penny
Aylett
19
June (12.00) - River Ems D -
An adult and a
young Water Vole seen from the south bridge. Penny
Aylett
14
June (9pm) - River Ems B -
We saw an adult
and it's young between the 2 trees which have fallen or
grow across the river. The youngster was feeding and
playing with the adult for about 10 minutes and then went
'home'. The adult continued to feed for at least another
10 minutes. We also saw a 3rd vole (fleetingly) which was
smaller than the adult but bigger than the youngster that
we had in view for a long period. Trevor
Carter
14
June (9am) - River Ems A -
Saw water vole to
the north of the North Bridge, swimming north about
half-way between the bridge and the north bend. Robin
Pottinger.
12
June (11.45) - River Ems B -
Vole swimming
along west bank about 12 yards north of the fallen tree.
Had three tries to go into the bank but was then seen off
by Moorhen chick and swam to east bank and thus out of
view. In sight all told for about five minutes. Roger
Mills
10
June (9.30pm) - Lumley Stream -
Fred Portwin saw
three Water Voles just above the small bridge at the head
of Peter Pond. He thought one was a youngster. Fred
Portwin
7 June
(8pm) - Lumley Stream - Jim
and I watched two Water Voles (and a Big Rat) swimming in
the Lumley Stream. We were standing on the footbridge
just north of Gooseberry Cottage looking South where the
reeds have been cut back which gave us a clear view down
stream. The first was a small vole swimming along the
western bank and then it went into the bank several
times. We spotted a second larger vole some way down
stream and were able to watch it swim up the centre of
the stream and disappear under the bridge below us but we
did not see it emerge the other side. We then saw a vole,
probably the first, some way down stream swimming south.
Mary Colbourne
30 May
(12 noon) - River Ems D -
Two Water Voles.
I spotted two different (but very similar in size and
colour) voles from the S bridge. The first appeared on
the E bank near the bridge and swam upstream along the
bank for 10m or so before disappearing. The second vole
appeared a few seconds later at c. the same point as the
first and progressed a few m upstream on and off the bank
before returning to the entry point and disappearing.
Mike Probert
29 May
(evening) - River Ems A -
Water Vole seen
swimming north full length until it went into bank at the
bend evening . Roger Mills
24 May
10:30am) - River Ems C -
One vole seen,
just north of the gasholder. It remained on the west bank
long enough for me to get a photo. From its small size
when it swam cross the river, I would guess it was a
youngster. Brian Fellows
24 May
10:35am) - River Ems C -
A couple of
minutes later I saw another normal-sized vole swimming
under the west bank, just below the gasholder. It went
into a burrow not to emerge. Brian Fellows.
22 May
(evening) - River Ems D -
One north of the
South Bridge swam from the west bank to the east one,
then fossicked about, visiting various sites. Keith
Walker
22 May
( ? ) - River Ems A - One
vole reported by lady swimming north of north bridge.
This is the first sighting from this area for about a
month. Anon
22 May
(14:00) - River Ems D - I
spotted what I presume was the same vole as I saw on May
20, hiding in the foliage on the right hand side of the
river upstream from the south bridge. David Bridge.
21 May
(17:25) ) - River Ems C -
Whilst walking in
the Meadow late afternoon with my wife, I spotted my
first watervole. It came out of the one of the holes in
the bank just upstream from where the sign is erected
refering to watervole conservation between the two
bridges. He/she swam straight across the stream and into
the vegitation almost under my feet. Graham
Eite
21 May
(11:50) ) - River Ems D -
I saw the water
ripple and guessed that the fish were breeching so I
didn't take much notice when I finally glanced down I saw
the water vole slowly swimming away Sharon Perrett.
21 May
(16.45) - River Ems D -
Water Vole nibbling vegetation on the east bank of the
River Ems about 10 metres upstream of the south bridge
Brian Fellows
20 May
(3.45pm) - River Ems D -
I spotted a water vole on the right hand bank of the Ems
(looking upstream), about 8ft north of the south bridge.
It was a brief sighting as the vole disappeared into the
bank as I watched. David Bridge.
17 May
(11:00) - Lumley Stream -
A couple I met on
May 24 reported seeing a vole swimming in the Lumley pool
just north of the small footbridge. This is the first
reported sighting of a vole here since I saw one swimming
in the stream north of footbridge on 12-Jan-09. Brian
Fellows
13 May
(19.45) - River Ems C -
We watched a Water Vole for quite a while swimming along
the bank and disappearing into various holes. Sharon
Perrett
13 May
(18.00) - River Ems C - One
Water Vole swam from one side to the other. Sharon
Perrett.
11 May
(09:45) - River
Ems C - From the observation fence in Palmer's Road
Copse, I spotted a Water Vole swimming down stream for
about 10 metres south from the sluice gate before it
disappeared into a burrow in the east bank.
30 Apr
(8pm) - River Ems
C - Water Vole swam up the Palmers Road bank from the
area of the seat before swimming across the width of the
Ems and allowing himself to be taken by the current for
some way before disappearing into the bank on the meadow
side. Roger Mills
29
Apr (12:00) ) - River Ems C -
Mike Wells and I
watched a vole swim across the river from east to west a
few metres upstream of the sluice gate. Brian Fellows
28 Apr
(4.30pm) - River Ems D -
One vole 30m N of
south bridge RH bank, very active under some overhanging
willow, nibbling leaves on hind legs etc .Mike
Probert.
26 Apr
(12:15) - River Ems B - I
had a cracking view of a Water Vole at about 12:15 on the
River Ems on Brook Meadow this morning. It was sitting on
a mat of water weeds in the river just to the south of
the gasholder. I watched it for a good 10 minutes while
it munched away on some of the weeds, quite undisturbed
by people passing by. I took lots of photos and a video.
This was my best view of the year by far. Brian
Fellows PHOTO
23 Apr
(11:50) - River Ems B - Two
Water Voles opposite the gasholder. One disappeared into
a burrow but the other gave a marvellous swimming display
for several minutes. Patrick Murphy.
PHOTO
23 Apr
(13.05) - River Ems B - One
Vole by the gasholder swimming across and along the
stream disappearing into east bank nearby. Ros Norton.
23 Apr
(11:00) - River Ems D - Two
Water Voles swimming north of south bridge. Roy
Millea. PHOTO
22 Apr
(??) - River Ems A - A
large Water Vole north of the north bridge, using a
burrow on the east bank of the river before being scared
off by dogs. Graham Ault.
21 Apr
(12:00) - River Ems A - Water
Vole swam across the river from west to east bank about
20 yards north of the north bridge where there is a small
pollarded Willow. Brian Fellows
20 Apr
(12.15) ) - River Ems D -
One vole swimming
by western bank 10 yards north of the south bridge.
Jennifer Rye
19 Apr
(10.30) - Lumley Stream -
One in stream
opposite El Rancho. Pam Phillips
18 Apr
(am) - River Ems C - Water
Vole on factory side bank south of bends - swam for about
twelve yards and disappeared in hole just before bend.
Roger Mills.
17 Apr
(07.30) - River Ems B - One
near bank about 20 yards south of north bridge Pam
Phillips
17 Apr
(11:16) - River Ems D - Water
Vole seen beneath the south bridge. Roy Millea.
PHOTO
14 Apr
(17:00) - River Ems C - I
was standing on the main river path when I saw a Water
Vole emerge from a burrow on the west bank just north of
the Bulrushes and swim upstream for a few metres before
disappearing into another burrow hole. I next saw it
swimming upstream to the S-bend where it went across the
river and entered a burrow on the east bank. I waited for
a couple of minutes but it did not emerge. This was
probably a male looking for a mate and presumably finding
one at its last stop! Brian Fellows
14 Apr
(10:00) - River Ems A - While
standing on the north bridge I watched a Water Vole swim
from what was presumably a burrow in the east bank near
the bend in the river into the emerging Branched
Bur-reeds in the centre of the river, returning after a
few moments to its burrow. I noted later that there are
several fresh burrow holes in the steep east bank.
Brian Fellows
13 Apr
(17:45) - River Ems D - Water
Vole appeared at the water's edge on the RH bank near the
bridge and swam upstream with several sorties onto the
bank and one stream crossing and back before disappearing
into a hole in the R bank. Sounds like a male. Mike
Probert.
12 Apr
(17:30) River Ems A - One
vole from the north bridge swimming beneath the
overhanging east bank. Brian Fellows
11 Apr
(11.55) - River Ems D - Adult
Water Vole just a few metres upstream of the South bridge
on eastern bank and swimming upstream. Patrick Murphy
11 Apr
(12:30) - River Ems C - I
saw a water vole near the sluice gate. It pulled up a
piece of green water weed and took it into the reeds on
the car park side. Nesting material? Carol
Millard
10 Apr
(19:05) - River Ems A - North
of the north bridge - two Water Voles about a foot
apart from each other on the west bank, clearly sharing
the same burrow system. Presumably a male and a
female as there was no aggression between them. No
obvious size difference though. One of them was eating an
ivy leaf before entering the river and swimming up toward
the bend. Caroline & Ray French
10 Apr
(19:20) - River Ems C - Good
views of one swimming to and fro across the river in the
sluice gate area. Caroline & Ray French
10 Apr
(19:35) - River Ems D - One
sighted from the south bridge, quite a way up the river,
and then again about 10 minutes later going upstream
towards the 'Caution Deep Water' sign. Caroline &
Ray French
10 Apr
(16:30) - River Ems C - One
Vole swimming north of the sluice gate Jennifer Rye
8 Apr
(12:00) - River Ems C - A
water vole sighting this morning about midday at the
sluice-gate site. I was standing on the west bank looking
east. I spotted him swimming along from about twenty
yards towards the south. He swam along the east bank
right up to the sluice-gate area then across towards me
and into the rushes. Looked a fair size. Robin
Pottinger
8 Apr
(15:00) - River Ems C - One
Vole swimming near the sluice gate. The Water Vole took
to the water just north of sluice gate and continued
upstream, sometimes on land sometimes in the water. We
'kept pace' with it for about 30 yards before it crossed
the river towards us and disappeared into the nettles
before the 's' bend. This was about 3pm. Interestingly,
during its trip, it entered at least 15 burrows. This
could be a male looking for a 'date'. Mike
Wells
THE
SEX LIFE OF WATER VOLES
Ralph
Hollins made the
following comments in his wildlife news summary.
http://ralph-hollins.net/Diary.htm
"These are getting more
active now at Brook Meadow in Emsworth - on Apr 8 one was
watched while it moved along a 30 yard stretch of the
river bank and during that time it entered 15 different
tunnels - it then swam across the river and became lost
in the vegetation but was probably still exploring every
hole it could find, probably it was a male seeking a
female for purposes which are natural in the spring.
This led me to enquire
further into the life of the male voles - it seems that
they live totally separate lives from the females with
the one exception of the necessity to get together for
breeding purposes. The two facts which I discovered which
led me to this opinion are that each male has a territory
which spans around 130 yards of the river whereas females
do not stray outside a 70 yard stretch which they delimit
by latrines at each end - this allows the males territory
to give him access to up to three females, each of which
require his presence five times a year (they raise five
broods between April and September - normally they do not
live for more than one year).
The second fact is that
during the winter months the females allow their
daughters to share their burrow but exclude the males. I
do not know whether males also share lodgings or continue
to live a solitary existence through the
winter."
I asked
Graham
Roberts of the
Hants Wildlife Trust to comment on the two issues raised
by Ralph.
Concerning Mike Wells's
observation on Apr 8 of a Water Vole moving from burrow
to burrow, Graham thought it very likely that the Water
Vole in question was a male checking out his territory.
"They try and cover as many females as possible and
defend these territories very aggressively. Alternatively
Graham thought it may have been a female deciding which
burrow system it fancied at a potential breeding burrow,
they can be very fussy these females you
know!"
Regarding what male Water
Voles do in winter Graham said it was his understanding
that male Water Voles do in fact live a solitary
existence until raging hormones kick into place from
early spring well into the summer.
8 Apr
(07:30) - River Ems A - One
Vole on river bank north of north bridge. Pam Phillips
8 Apr
(07:30) - River Ems C - Two
voles in the river near the sluice gate Pam Phillips
8 Apr
(07:30) - River Ems B - One
Vole in river beneath gasholder Pam Phillips
6 Apr
(07:30) - River Ems A - One
Vole on river bank north of north bridge. Pam Phillips
5 Apr
(18:50) - River Ems D - One
swimming above south bridge - fur was strikingly
reddish/gingerish. Mike Probert.
4 Apr
(07:30) - River Ems B - One
in river north of the gasholder - Pam Phillips
2 Apr
(12:30) - River Ems B - One
swimming in river north of the gasholder - Patrick
Murphy
2 Apr
(12:15) - River Ems A - Mini-confrontation
with a Moorhen above the north bridge Brian Fellows
1 Apr
(12:00) - River Ems B - One
swimming beneath the gasholder. Robin Pottinger
1 Apr
(7pm) - River Ems C - One
a few metres N of the sluice gate Caroline French.
1 Apr
(10.15) - River Ems B - Swimming
vole south of the S-bend. Mike Wells
PHOTO
1 Apr
(10.45) - River Ems A - Vole
gathered vegetation, then sat and ate it. Mike Wells
PHOTO
.jpg)
27 Mar
(6.00pm) - River Ems A -
One Vole on river
bank north of north bridge. Juliet Walker
26 Mar
(7.30am) - River Ems B -
One swimming
carrying grass in river in front of gas holder Pam
Phillips
24 Mar
(7.30am) - River Ems A -
One Vole on river
bank north of north bridge. Pam Phillips
24 Mar
(7.30am) - River Ems B -
One on branch
over the river by gas holder Pam Phillips
21 Mar
(15:20) - River Ems B - One
north of the gas holder Caroline French
21 Mar
(14:40) - River Ems C - One
upstream of the sluice gate. Caroline French
21 Mar
(13:40) - River Ems C - One
small - female? upstream of the sluice gate. Caroline
French
20 Mar
(11:00) - River Ems A - One
Vole on river bank north of north bridge. Gavin
Miller
20 Mar
(11:00) - River Ems A - One
Vole on river bank north of north bridge. Brian Fellows
19 Mar
(11:00) - River Ems C - One
swimming downstream into the Bulrushes. Brian Fellows
19 Mar
(07:30) - River Ems C - One
swimming in river near sluice gate. Pam Phillips
18 Mar
(10.30) - River Ems A - One
Vole on rive bank north of north bridge. Mike Wells
15 Mar
(12 noon) - River Ems A -
Sightings of two
voles north of north bridge. Patrick Murphy
15 Mar
(??) - River Ems A - Sightings
of probably two voles north of north bridge. Mike Wells
11 Mar
(??) - River Ems A - Three
sightings of probably two voles above north bridge. Mike
Wells
4 Mar
(07:30) - River Ems A - One
seen eating Bramble leaf on river bank, Pam Phillips
28 Feb
(12:00) - River Ems A - One
seen in and out of burrows above north bridge Dave
Lee
27 Feb
(5pm) - River Ems C - One
seen crossing the river by the sluice gate. Carol
Millard
15 Feb
(11:00) - River Ems A
- One seen upstream of north bridge. Caroline French and
David Search.
13 Feb
(12:45) - River Ems A
- One seen upstream of north bridge. Patrick Murphy.
7 Feb
(16:00) - River Ems A
- One seen upstream of north bridge. Caroline French
SEE
NOTE BELOW
2 Feb
(am) - River Ems A
- One seen upstream of north bridge. Pam Phillips.
27 Jan
(11:45) - River Ems A
- Two seen upstream of north bridge. Patrick Murphy.
27 Jan
(07:40) - River Ems A
- Two seen upstream of north bridge. Pam Phillips.
26 Jan
(am) - River Ems- C
- One swimming near sluice gate. Roger Mills
15 Jan
(12:55) - River Ems A
- One swimming across river above north bridge. Ros
Norton
14 Jan
(11:00) - River Ems A -
One swimming across river above north bridge. Jean
Fellows
13 Jan
(am) - River Ems A
- One in burrow on west bank above north bridge. Pam
Phillips
*12
Jan (11:05) - Peter Pond
- Two swimming down channel in reeds. Brian Fellows
SEE
NOTE BELOW
*12
Jan (11:00) - Lumley
Stream - One
swimming north of footbridge. Brian Fellows
SEE
NOTE BELOW
11 Jan
(14:45) - River Ems A
- One in the river above the North bridge. Ray French,
. . . . . . Ray also saw
a Brown Rat on the river bank near the North
bridge.
10 Jan
(15:10) - River Ems A
- One on west bank above the north bridge Caroline French
FURTHER
OBSERVATIONS
7 Feb
(16:00) - River Ems A
- Caroline French saw a Water Vole north of the north
bridge on the west bank using its teeth to pull the bark
off what looked like a fairly young branch of Willow that
had been cut and was lying in the river. She watched it
as it as it went up the bank through its runs under the
ivy. After a while she caught sight of a second rodent.
There was a scuffle and some squeaking. A few moments
later a Water Vole reappeared at the water's edge.
Caroline thought the scuffle had been with a brown rat,
though this need not be the case as the scuffle could
well have been between two Water Voles disputing
territory, a very common event in early spring. The Water
Vole seemed none the worse for wear and went back to the
branch it had been feeding on previously. It pulled the
branch, which was about about 600mm long and about 18mm
in diameter, away from the branches on which it was
snagged and up towards its burrow in the bank, where it
continued stripping away bark.
12 Jan
(11:00) - Lumley Stream & Peter Pond -
I was standing on
the small footbridge over the Lumley Stream, wondering if
the two Kingfishers that I saw here yesterday would show
up again, when to my great surprise I saw a Water Vole
swimming towards me in the open area of the stream to the
north of the bridge that the I call the Lumley pool. As I
watched it through my binoculars the vole veered towards
the bank, possibly catching sight of me on the bridge. It
remained on the bank for a few seconds, allowing me to
inspect it closely to establish its identity without
doubt as a Water Vole. It then moved further into the
dense vegetation on the bankside.
I decided to hang around
on the bridge for a few minutes to see if the vole
emerged, but it did not. Then, looking south towards
Peter Pond, to my even greater surprise I saw another two
Water Voles swimming away from me along the western
channel through the reedbeds. They swam for about 10
metres then dodged into the reeds. One of them came out
briefly and swam around then returned to the reeds. I did
not notice the first vole swim under the bridge so I
assume that these were another two animals in adition to
the first one.
David Gattrell, who
manages Peter Pond for the owner Elisabeth Kinloch, has
mentioned to me that he occasionally sees a Water Vole
while working in the reedbeds and we have had other
occasional sightings from this area. The only reported
sighting of a Water Vole on the Lumley Stream in 2008 was
from Tony Wootton on Mar 4. This one was further north
towards the cottages "where we 'normally' see the Water
Rail". Also, the professional survey carried out by Andy
Rothwell in October 2007 identified the Lumley Stream as
an area of Water Vole activity, so today's sightings were
not entirely unexpected, though they were the first I
have had personally.
PHOTOS
OF WATER VOLES
All
photos by Brian Fellows unless otherwise stated.
Water
Vole upstream of the north bridge on Briook Meadow (photo
by Mike Wells) - 18.03.09
Water
Vole on the River Ems in Brook Meadow (photo by Caroline
French) - 05.08
Water
Vole on the River Ems in Brook Meadow (photo by Caroline
French) - 05.08
Juvenile
Water Vole on the River Ems in Brook Meadow -
06.05.08
Water
Vole swimming in the river on Brook Meadow -
01.05.08
Water
Shrew on Brook Meadow (photo by Patrick Murphy) -
30.04.08
Water
Vole peeping out of its burrow on the river bank in Brook
Meadow - 25.03.08
Water
Vole swimming across the river near the sluice gate in
Brook Meadow - 25.03.08
Water
Vole on the river bank inear the sluice gate on Brook
Meadow - 25.03.08
Pair
of Water Voles in the River Ems on Brook Meadow -
25.03.08
Water
Vole peeping through the vegetation on the bank of the
River Ems on Brook Meadow - 23.05.07
Water
Vole at Arundel WWT (photo by Tony Wootton) -
27.03.07
Water
Vole at Arundel WWT (photo by Tony Wootton) -
27.03.07
Water
Vole on River Ems in Brook Meadow -
16.03.07
Water
Vole on the River Ems on Brook Meadow (photo by Frances
Jannaway) - 10-03.07
Water
Vole feeding on river bank - 25.05.06
Water
Vole swimming up stream in the River Ems opposite the new
fence in Brook Meadow - 01.04.05
Water
Vole feeding on the east bank of the river opposite the
new fence in Brook Meadow - 01.04.05
Water
Vole on river bank opposite the new fence on Brook Meadow
(photo by Mary Colbourne) - 31.03.05
Water
Vole swimming in river by the new fence on Brook Meadow
(photo by Mary Colbourne) 31.03.05
Water
Vole: one of two on the river bank in front of the new
fence in Brook Meadow - 30.03.05
Water
Vole: on the River Ems in Brook Meadow (digiscoped) -
12.03.05
Water
Vole: looking at me across the River Ems in Brook Meadow
- 10.03.05
Water
Vole: burrow holes on the banks of the River Ems in Brook
Meadow - 10.03.05
Water
Vole with Lesser Celandine on the banks of the River Ems
in Brook Meadow - 01.04.03
Water
Vole burrows in the banks of the River Ems at Brook
Meadow - 20.3.03
Water
Vole on the bank of the River Ems in Brook Meadow
(digiscoped x40 with CP775) - 16.03.04
Water
Vole peeping out of its burrow on the bank of the River
Ems (digiscoped x40 with CP775) - 16.03.04
Water
Vole sniffing the air on the banks of the River Ems on
Brook Meadow (digiscoped x40) - 16.03.04
Water
Vole on the river bank above the north bridge on Brook
Meadow - 15.03.04
Water
Vole having lunch on the banks of the River Ems at Brook
Meadow (digiscoped x40) - 23.02.04
Debi
and David conducting a Water Vole Survey in the River Ems
at Brook Meadow - 20.06.04
Debi
and David looking for signs of Water Vole activity on
Brook Meadow - 20.06.04
Water
Vole Survey - Clare and Frances in the river -
22.5.02
Water
Vole droppings on the banks of the River Ems at Brook
Meadow - 22.5.02
Water
Vole food remains on the banks of the River Ems at Brook
Meadow - 22.5.02
Water
Vole Survey - Clare Bishop and others inspecting burrows
on River Ems - 10.9.02
DISTINGUISHING
WATER VOLES FROM BROWN RATS
Water Voles and Brown
Rats may look alike, but are very different in their
habits. Rats will eat virtually anything, often live in
sewers and drains and can spread diseases. Water Voles,
in contrast, are clean and totally harmless creatures.
They are vegetarians, feeding only on bankside
vegetation, and spend their whole lives in and around the
river. So far as we know there are no Brown Rats on the
River Ems, so any small animal seen swimming in the river
is very likely to be a Water Vole. However, there
certainly are Rats on Peter Pond near the seat and around
the waste disposal and recycling areas in Palmer's Road
Car Park.
SIZE
Rats
are bigger than water voles. Adult male rats weigh up to
500g.
Water voles have more rounded bodies and grow to 320g,
smaller than an adult male rat.
FUR
A rat's fur is grey or brown with a paler underside.
Water voles can have reddish brown, dark brown or black
fur.
SNOUT,
EARS, TAIL
Rats
have pointed snouts, very obvious ears and large beady
eyes. Their tails are the same length as their bodies,
and appear scaly and hairless.
Water voles have short, blunt snouts. Their ears are
almost hidden by fur. The dark tail is 60% of the body
length and is furred.
BURROWS
Rat has 8-10cm diameter burrows which may occur well away
from the water's edge often with a heap of spoil outside
the entrance.
Water Vole has 4-8cm diameter burrows usually at the
water's edge or up to 3m away in the bank. Areas of short
nibbled vegetation are often found around holes on the
bank.
PATHS
Rat
paths are usually a network of well trampled paths
connecting all burrows. Paths may lead across open land
away from the water.
Water Voles usually have one main track along water's
edge, with some paths pushing up into vegetation higher
up the bank. Paths are normally concealed in grass and
stay near the water.
DROPPINGS
Rat
droppings, one or 'several are deposited on paths or at
the water's edge. Droppings are 12-15mm long, flat at one
end and pointed at the other. Slimy or very soft texture,
occasionally granular, light brown to black. Unpleasant
odour of urine or ammonia.
In Water Voles, between spring and autumn, droppings are
left in piles of 5-100 near the water's edge. In winter,
droppings are more dispersed. Water vole droppings are
5-10mm long and rounded at both ends. They have a
putty~like texture, with very fine plant material
visible. Usually green or dark green, sometimes grey or
purplish (winter feeding on roots). No strong
odour.
FEEDING
REMAINS
Rats
may leave broken snail shells or crayfish remains on the
bank.
The diet of water voles consists mainly of vegetation.
Water voles leave piles of chopped vegetation (approx.
8-10cm long) at feeding sites on the banks.
THE
WATER VOLE CALENDAR
January
- February
Water Voles are not often
seen in winter time. They do not hibernate, but spend
most of their time below ground, feeding on food which
they have stored up in their burrows.
March
- April
Water Voles emerge from
burrows and can be seen swimming in the river and feeding
on the banks. Males seek mates for breeding and may be
seen moving between burrows. Adult male territories
overlap with one or two females.
April
- May
Young Water Voles are
born. Gestation is 22 days with litter size 2-6
youngsters. Females are ready to mate again a few days
after giving birth.
June
Young Water Voles are
weaned and leave the nest. They may be seen swimming in
the river with their parents.
July -
August
Second and third litters
born. Dispersal from the nest of juvenile males and
low-ranking females. Dominant daughters may settle in
mother's territory and eventually take over.
September
Population size is at its
highest. Females born early in year become sexually
mature and may start to breed.
October
- November
Reduction in numbers on
the river, as juveniles disperse. Water Voles prepare for
winter by laying down underground food stores. Sexual
activity ceases. No territorial disputes.
December
Territorial system breaks
down. Voles gather together to share nests. They do not
hibernate, but may go into short periods of torpor. There
is a low survival rate among low weight juveniles.
WATER
VOLE NEWS AND SIGHTINGS - 2008
Water Vole sightings came
in from four main areas of the river, evenly spaced out
about 100 metres apart:
A - above the north
bridge to the bend,
B - below the gasholder
down to the grey metal fence,
C - opposite the
observation fence near the sluice gate
D - above the south
bridge.
See map
below
Total
Water Vole Sightings in 2008
Section A (above north
bridge) - 34 sightings (5 young)
Section B gasholder area)
- 23 sightings (5 young)
Section C (sluice gate
area) - 70 sightings (15 young)
Section D (above south
bridge) - 34 sightings (5 young)
Grand Total - 161
sightings of Water Voles, including some youngsters.
Note: this does not mean
there are this number of Water Voles on the river, since
most of these sightings will have been of the same
animal. Conservatively, we think there were at least 4
females holding territories at the start of the season
along with probably two or more males with territories
overlapping those of the females.
We clearly had a bumper
year, particularly in comparison with the last two years
which were very poor. Previous years sightings for which
I have records were 27 in 2007, 17 in 2006 and 50 in
2005. However, it is necessary to acknowledge an extra
observer effort this year from Caroline and Ray French,
who between them have accounted for over half of all
sightings. However, even without their contributions the
sightings is still higher than previous years.
The early season sightings
probably indicate the territories of four females
which were served by two or more males whose territories
overlapped those of the females. Hence, sightings outside
the main female areas were probably of males. Females
usually have only one mate, but males are polygamous and
may have more than one mate. Later in the season, as the
youngsters disperse, Water Voles might be seen almost
anywhere along the river.
Quote from Rob
Strachan's book "Water Voles" (p.32) "The home range
of males is about twice that for females and often
overlaps those of one or two females. Females have only
one mate usually for the whole breeding season, but
individual males exhibit polygamy (ie they have more than
one mate) and share their time between different
territories accordingly. When the population density is
low, males occupy ranges of up to 300 metres and breeding
females up to 150 metres, but when the popualtion density
is high the mean lengh of range is much smaller at around
100 metres for males and 50 metres for
females."
Comment
from Graham Roberts (Water for Wildlife Officer with
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust)
(07.05.08)
"I really must
congratulate you on compiling such a vast amount of data
re water voles and the Brook Meadow site.
I agree with your
thoughts re family set ups and it is very likely that
particularly at the beginning of the breeding season that
the ratios of males to females is what is to be expected.
As the first brood
start to disperse, if the habitat is good and contiguous
then territories become reduced.
This normally balances
back out again at the end of the season and after the
winter natural declines. It is good to hear that there
are good numbers of young voles being observed. This
certainly indicates that there is plenty of the right
type of food available early in the year.
At some marginal sites
it is not unusual for female voles only to have one or
two young first off in the spring so this is very
encouraging.
I would definitely
think that your picture (30 April below) shows a water
shrew. Their droppings are quite distinctive and nearly
always contain the remains of insect Carapaces. They are
much smaller than water vole droppings and usually are
slightly pointed and hold together
better."
2008
REPORTED SIGHTINGS (with
area seen) (in
reverse chronological order)
26 Dec
(15:00) - A - One
on west bank above the north bridge Caroline French
25 Dec
(07:45) - A - One
swimming above the north bridge Pam Phillips
17 Dec
(11:00) - A - One
swimming near the west bank just above the north bridge.
Brian Fellows
16 Dec
(11:00) - A - One
sitting on the west bank just above the north bridge.
Brian Fellows
11 Dec
(15:00) - B - Sighting
of two voles in the river beneath gasholder. Pam Phillips
10 Dec
(10:00) - A - One
swimming across the river above the north bridge. Brian
Fellows
7 Dec
(14:55) - A - One
on the west bank upstream of north bridge Caroline &
Ray French
2 Dec
(3.15pm) - D - One
swimming across the river north of the south bridge.
Patrick Murphy
16 Nov
(07:30) - A - One
upstream of north bridge. - Pam Phillips.
2 Nov
(14:45) - A - One
on the west bank upstream of the north bridge Caroline
& Ray French
25 Oct
(10:55) - A - Vole
swimming to and fro upstream of the North Bridge Ray
French
24 Oct
(15:40) - C - One
Water Vole in the river near the sluice gate. Patrick
Murphy
12 Oct
(13:25) - B - one
vole by the gas holder. Caroline French
21 Sep
(18:15) - D - Three
voles spotted in river north of south bridge Caroline
& Ray French
20 Sep
(12:30) - A - One
near the north bend. Caroline French
19 Sep
(13:45) - A - One
fully-grown vole swimming above the North bridge Ray
French
8 Sep
(16.05) - D - One
on the West side of the river just above the South
bridge. Ray French
7 Sep
(16.00) - D - one
on the west bank a few meters up from the south bridge
Caroline & Ray French
7 Sep
(16.30) - A - a
vole on the west bank a few meters up from the north
bridge followed shortly by a smallish vole swimming from
east to west Caroline & Ray French
7 Sep
(17.00) - B - two
voles two meters apart, one feeding on the west bank and
the other on the east, by the gas holder. One of them
looked fairly small. Caroline & Ray French
4 Sep
(5pm) - D - One
small vole swimming from east to west bank of the River
Ems 5 metres above south bridge. Brian Fellows
31 Aug
(14.15) - D - Three
voles seen above south bridge, two juveniles, Caroline
French
23 Aug
(16.55) - D - Small
vole upstream from the South bridge Ray French
23 Aug
(17.15) - A - Vole
swimming to and fro just above the North bridge Ray
French
22 Aug
(4pm) - Water Vole observed climbing a tree! -
As I was standing
on the south bridge looking for Water Voles, a man
stopped to ask me if Water Voles climb trees, as he had
just seen what he thought was one clambering up a tree on
South Meadow. I said I thought not, but it set me
thinking. So when I got home I got out Rob Strachan's
book on Water Voles and found to my great surprise on
p.26 the statement: "At some sites Water Voles were
observed climbing into the branches of low growing trees
and shrubs to a height of 2.5 metres . . . ". Apparently,
leaves, buds and fruit are an important part of their
diet. Brian Fellows
Comment
from Graham Roberts
- Just reading about your query as to whether water voles
climb trees. I have seen water voles quite high up in
trees in Winter stripping bark of young limbs of alder
and willow. They will also retreat into trees or dense
high shrubs to avoid being washed away in floods. Hope
all is well with you and the group. I hope to be
undertaking a restoration project on the Ems above Brook
Meadow in the Autumn and will keep you
informed.
17 Aug
(14.25) - A - a
small vole, very active upstream of the north bridge.
Caroline French
17 Aug
(14.45) - D - two
voles upstream of the south bridge. Caroline French
17 Aug
(10.30am) - D - One
vole a few meters up from the south bridge - Caroline
French
8 Aug
(8.30pm) - D - Adult
up from south bridge - Ray & Caroline French
7 Aug
(3.15pm) - D - Two
swimming upstream of south bridge. Caroline French
7 Aug
(3pm) - A - one
swimming upstream of north bridge. Caroline French
7 Aug
(11am) - C - One
vole sighted twice in river above sluice gate. Workday
volunteers
2 Aug
(17.20) - A - a
small (not fully grown) vole a few meters upstream of the
north bridge - Caroline and Ray French
2 Aug
(3.15pm) - D -
One swimming north of the south bridge. Caroline and Ray
French & Brian Fellows
29
July (13.20) - A - One
young vole swimming above the North bridge - Ray French
29
July (13.30) - C - Adult
in the reeds by the fence - Ray French
25
July (20.05) - C - A
well-hidden vole up river of the sluice gate - Caroline
& Ray French
25
July (20.10) - C - A
vole swimming south of the sluice gate. It kept
collecting vegetation from the west bank and then
swimming across the river before diving beneath the water
to an underwater burrow entrance. Not sure whether this
was food or nesting material - Caroline & Ray French
25
July (20.30) - D - One
vole spotted 3 meters up from the south bridge - Caroline
& Ray French
25
July (20.40) - C - A
young vole on the island of vegetation by the sluice gate
- Caroline & Ray French
25
July (20.50) - A - A
vole seen swimming from west to east, just before the
start of the reeds near the bend in the river, north of
the north bridge. - Caroline & Ray French
23
July (10am) - D - One
north of the South bridge - Rob Hill & Frances
Jannaway
21
July (1505) - D - One
swimming above the South bridge - Ray French
21
July (1525) - A - One
swimming above the north bridge - Ray French
20
July (14.35) - C - one
about 10 meters south of the S bend - Caroline French
20
July (14.45) - B - one
by the gas holder - Caroline French
16
July (12:00) - D - one
swimming across the river above the south bridge - Brian
Fellows
15
July (8pm) - D - one
in the river above the south bridge - Caroline French
15
July (8.10pm) - C - one
in the river near the sluice gate - Caroline
French
4 July
(9pm) - D - One
swimming above south bridge - Caroline & Ray French
3 July
(10am) - A - One
seen above the north bridge - Ray French
28
June (17.30) - C - a
vole feeding on the east bank by the sluice gate.
Caroline French
28
June (17.10) - C - young
vole feeding on vegetation in the middle of the Ems. Ray
French
28
June (17.00) - B - Adult
came down to feed on vegetation by gasholder. Caroline
French
16
June (7.30am) - A - One
swimming across the river north of north bridge. Pam
Phillips
16
June (4pm) - D - One
swimming across the river north of south bridge. Pam
Phillips
14
June (10.45) - D - One
swimming across the river north of south bridge. Juliet
Walker
13
June (4.15pm) - A - One
swimming above the north bridge - Mary Grundy
6 June
(8pm) - D - One
large adult (male?) just north of south bridge. Richard
Jannaway
6 June
(9:55am) - C -
Two voles, one adult and one juvenile near the sluice
gate. Ray French
3 June
(7.30pm) - C -
Five voles including young ones north of sluice gate -
Fred Portwin.
1 June
(4.40pm) - A -
Two voles: one adult and one juvenile in the river north
of north bridge - Beryl
1 June
(3.50pm) - B -
Two young Water Voles by the gas holder - Caroline French
31
May (6.00 - 7.30pm)
- Total of 9 sightings - Caroline and French
6pm - Two near the sluice
gate, one acting aggressively - C -
6.30 - One swam across
river above south bridge - D -
6.50 - Two young voles
feeding within a couple of meters of each other on the
west bank near the gas holder - B -
7.10 - Two young voles
near the west bank by the gasholder. As they watched, a
much larger adult swam towards one of the young voles as
it was feeding. The young vole shot into the bankside
vegetation, apparently to avoid the adult which then swam
directly across the Ems to the east bank. B
7.20 - Adult Water Vole
seen on the 'island' of vegetation near the sluice gate.
- C -
31
May (6.45pm)
- One swimming along western bank below north bridge - A
- Brian Fellows
31
May (5pm)
- One swimming near north bend - A - Carol (phone
call)
29
May (6.45) -
One feeding beneath the observation fence - C - Patrick
Murphy (photo)
29
May (7.30am)
- Two young voles playing near sluice gate - C - Pam
Phillips
27
May (18.45) -
One on bank near sluice gate - C - Caroline French
Ray and I stopped off
briefly at Brook Meadow at 18.45 today. Ray immediately
spotted a Water Vole on the east bank by the sluice gate.
We watched it eating grass for a little while before it
dragged a fairly large piece of dried reed into a burrow,
presumably for nesting material.
25
May (16:30)
- One vole about 7 meters up from the south bridge - D -
Caroline French
25
May (16:45)
- One vole at the sluice gate - C - Caroline French
25
May (17:00)
- One vole near the gasholder - B - Caroline French
25
May (17:45)
- Two voles (one young) at the sluice gate - C - Caroline
French
25
May (10am)
- One vole seen from the south bridge swimming north from
D to C - Brian Fellows et al
During the guided walk on
Brook Meadow this morning we saw a Water Vole from the
south bridge, swimming north for about 20 yards along the
edge of the west bank. Probably another male moving
between territories.
23
May (4pm)
- Possible male swimming up river from C to B - Caroline
French
On Friday afternoon I saw
a water vole on the east bank near the sluice gate at
about 4pm. At about 4.20pm I followed a water vole as it
swam very purposefully from just upstream of the drain
near the gas cylinder all the way up to the until it
disappeared where the willows hang over the stream by the
brick factory building. Possibly a male moving between
territories? On one previous occasion I saw an adult
swimming downstream from the sluice gate, right in the
middle of the river and I wondered then whether that
might be a male moving off to 'D'. It certainly didn't
look like it was looking for food.
23
May (8.15pm)
- Two water voles by the sluice gate. Caroline and Ray
French.
Later that evening at
about 8.15pm, Ray and I saw two water voles by the sluice
gate. One sat on the east bank for a good five minutes
munching on some vegetation and occasionally disappearing
into a burrow. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera.
18
May - 3
Water Voles seen today - Caroline French
1. One adult on the east
bank by the sluice gate at about 5.15pm. - C
2. One adult sitting on
vegetation near the west bank, about four meters up from
the south bridge. D
3. One adult just south
of the gas cylinder. B
18
May - Two
water vole sightings around mid-day - Robin Pottinger
1. One swimming east to
west immediately north of sluice gate. C
2. One feeding in dense
vegetation on east bank by south bridge (my first siting
there this year). D
14
May (4.45
- 5.15) - C - Three sightings. Robin Pottinger
My stroll through the
meadow today brought me three vole sightings.
1. 4.45pm sluice gate -
walking north on the east bank, I turned at the bend to
look back - saw vole swimming west to east, just south of
the batch of rushes, i.e. south of the sluice. Being on
the east bank I couldn't see where he landed.
2. 4.50pm - halfway
between sluice gate and S-bend, where you saw your young
vole - vole on west bank feeding on grass stalks -
watched him for five-plus minutes - he then popped into
one of the burrows, briefly poked his head out of an
adjacent burrow and then popped back inside. I waited a
few minutes, but he did not reappear. Clearly using those
burrows - looks like a permanent domicile.
3. 5.15pm - sluice gate,
viewing from west side - vole feeding on grasses at water
level on east bank, slightly to the north of the sluice.
Watched him for five- plus minutes, till he disappeared
into the vegetation. No way of knowing whether it was the
same one I saw swimming across earlier.
14
May - C -
One young Water Vole near sluice gate. Ray
French
13
May - A -
One seen in the river north of the north bridge Ray
French
9
May
(7.30-8.45pm) - A - C - D - at least five adults and one
juvenile - Caroline & Ray French
Ray and I were at Brook
Meadows from about 7.30-8.45pm and saw at least five
adults and one young Water Vole. We must have had eleven
or twelve sightings altogether. We started at the north
bridge where we saw one adult on the west bank upstream
of the bridge in 'territory A'. The second sighting was
an adult in the northern part of 'territory C', just
upstream of where the willow branches stretch
horizontally across the river. Next we saw three adults
around the sluice gate area. However we think one of
these may have been the one we had seen further upstream
in 'territory C' as it had been moving in a downstream
direction. We therefore counted only two additional
adults. We continued walking down the east bank to the
south bridge from where we saw one adult in 'territory D'
not far up from the bridge. We then walked on up to the
observation point on the west bank where Ray spotted one
young Water Vole in the water. It went into a burrow and
then emerged on the east bank where it sat munching on
some vegetation. We had several more sightings but could
only distinguish five individual adults with any
certainty.
8
May
(6.30pm) - C - Two small juveniles seen near the sluice
gate - Caroline French.
6
May (7.30-8.30pm)
- C - One small juvenile north of the Bulrushes. Fred
Portwin & Brian Fellows
6
May
(7.30-8.30pm) - C - One adult swimming into the
Bulrushes. Fred Portwin & Brian Fellows
I did a Water Vole watch
this evening, mainly of the area between the sluice gate
and the S-bend where Fred Portwin saw the family of Water
Voles last night. Fred was there again and I was able to
benefit from his knowledge and sharp eyes. We had two
clear sightings, one of a small Vole and one of a full
grown adult.
The young Water Vole was
first seen swimming against and occasionally drifting
with the fairly strong current in the area north of the
Bulrushes. This animal then climbed out onto the far bank
where it remained for about 30 minutes, preening and
feeding. This is where the following photo was taken,
though the light was, by then, quite poor. The large Vole
was seen swimming across the river from east to west into
the Bulrushes. Our only other sighting was of a Brown Rat
scuttling quickly along the west bank beneath the
observation fence.
6
May (7pm)
- C - Two adults below the observation fence. Caroline
French
Praise
from Graham Roberts
- Water for Wildlife Officer, Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Wildlife Trust.
"Great news about the water voles! Keep up the great
work. "
5
May
(7.30pm) - C - At least 5 on the river bank below the
sluice gate - Fred Portwin.
Fred thought some were
small ones, probably youngsters. This is the largest
number we have had reported so far this year and probably
represents a successful brood.
5
May
(7.25pm) - C - One swimming east to west south of sluice
gate. Also a brown rat in the rushes. - Caroline &
Ray French
5
May -
(6.30pm) - A or B? - One swimming from east to west,
north of gas holder, opposite white door. Caroline and
Ray French
Standing on the north
bridge ay about 6.30pm, Ray spotted a vole swimming from
the east side to the west side of the Ems, north of the
gas holder and exactly opposite a white door of what
looks like a brick-built factory building. We walked down
the path on the east bank and waited for 10 mins or so in
the hope of seeing it again. Sure enough it did reappear.
I wonder whose territory this is?
My reply - Your sighting
by the white door is where we used to have sightings in
previous years, but is the first this year. As for which
territory. Well, could be A or B. Or maybe that of a male
with territory that overlaps those of the females. Who
knows.
4
May -
(9am) - C - One swimming in river opposite the
observation fence. Norma Page
3
May -
(6pm) - C - One swimming north of the sluice gate towards
the Bulrushes. Brian Fellows
2
May -
(4pm) - A - One feeding on vegetation north of the north
bridge Caroline French & Brian Fellows
2
May -
(3pm) - C - Pair of Water Voles on the west bank just
below the sluice gate - Caroline French
2
May -
(3pm) - D - One on the west bank just north of the south
bridge - Caroline French
1
May -
(11am) - B - One swimming in new area of river - Jennifer
Rye and Brian Fellows
At about 11am I was
summoned by Jennifer Rye who had seen a Water Vole swim
across the river at a spot south of the gasholder, where
we had not seen one before this year. I was also able to
get a view (and a photo) of the Vole swimming from the
east to west banks.
Returning later in the
afternoon at about 5pm I saw what was probably the same
Water Vole swimming in the river in the vicinity of the
drain. As well as swimming from one bank to the other, it
also swam downstream about 20 metres along the west bank.
Unfortunately, the sun was glinting off the river and I
could not get a photo.
1
May -
(11am) - C - Water Vole swimming near the sluice gate -
David Minns
30
April -
(4.30pm) - Water Shrew on Brook
Meadow with photo - Patrick Murphy
Walking through Brook
Meadow this afternoon at about 4:30 I found this little
fellow on the path. The attached photos are not
particularly good - I was on my own and it wouldn't stay
still, and then to top it all my camera batteries ran
out!. Not being well up on small mammals I checked when I
returned home and am wondering if it is a Water Shrew -
which may explain it's bedraggled appearance.
This was really
interesting. I agree this certainly looks like a Water
Shrew. Not brilliant photos, but the black coat and long
snout are very distinctive. This would be the first clear
sighting of a Water Shrew on Brook Meadow. Some of our
earlier Water Vole surveys have found signs of Water
Shrew but we have not had a sighting before. What is also
interesting is that we had a couple of recent sightings
of a small Water Vole like creature in the river which I
have previously thought could be young Water Voles. But
your sighting suggests they could be Water Shrews.
Patrick subsequently
confirmed that the Shrew was on the path near the sluice
gate. The animal was in some distress (as is apparent
from the photo), probably having been nearly drowned in
the river which was exceptionally fast and high
yesterday, and allowed a passer-by to pick it up and
place it in the vegetation on the river bank.
26
April - C
- Small Water Vole - possible youngster by sluice gate.
Caroline French
I had a look at your
website and noticed that Francis had reported seeing a
very small Water Vole or perhaps a shrew at Brook Meadow
recently. After I left you on Saturday I stayed at Brook
Meadow a while and I also saw a rodent that I thought
seemed very small for an adult Water Vole, although what
I saw looked more like 4-5". It also appeared to move
more quickly than a Water Vole. It was in the usual
'Water Vole area' opposite the observation point and I
only had a fleeting look as it moved between burrows so I
can't be absolutely sure it wasn't a WV. I definitely
queried it at the time though and when I saw Francis'
report I thought maybe it had been something
else.
26
April - C
- One swimming and on river bank near sluice gate.
Caroline French and Brian Fellows.
Caroline French and I
noticed some movement in the vegetation on the river bank
beneath the observation fence and after a little while
Caroline spotted a Water Vole sitting quitely on the bank
in amongst the reeds. We both took a few photos before
the Vole disappeared and then next we saw of it, it was
swimming across the river to the east bank where it
disappeared into a burrow hole.
22
April - D
- Possible young Water Vole in river near south bridge -
Frances Jannaway
I saw what I thought was
a very small water vole near the south bridge. It was
very small - no more than 3" long swimming along the
eastern riverbank north of the south bridge. It looked as
if it had some nesting material in its mouth. Could it
have been a young Water Vole or another sort of
Vole?
Comment: There seem to be
two possibilities. One it was a young Water Vole carrying
nesting material, ie playing at nest building. The other
was it could have been a Water Shrew which one survey
detected signs of, though that animal would have had a
sharp face, unlike a Water Vole.
22
April - C
- One swimming near the sluice gate. Caroline French
Ray any I have just been
down to Brook Meadow again. Good sighting of one very
active vole around the sluice gate area, but moving in
and out of burrows both up and downstream of there,
crossing the river several times. A less welcome sight
was a fairly large brown rat on the lower part of the
riverbank on the 'S' bend.
22
April (4pm)
- A - One swimming beneath the east bank north of north
bridge. Brian Fellows
I had another good
sighting of a Water Vole swimming beneath the east bank
of the river north of the Seagull Lane bridge, about half
way to the bend.
21
April (11.30am)
- A - One north of the north bridge. Brian Fellows
I spotted a Water Vole
swimming beneath the eastern river bank just north of the
Seagull Lane bridge on Brook Meadow at about 11.30am.
This is probably one of those seen by Kate Kerridge on
April 16 and provides further evidence for the presence
of a pair of Water Voles in this area, in addition to
those further down the river.
20
April - A
- Two swimming in the river below the sluice gate.
Caroline French
Ray and I saw what we're
pretty sure were two different voles at Brook Meadow this
morning. We saw the first one from the southern bridge
looking upstream. It was about halfway upstream towards
the Palmer's Road viewing point and it swam across from
the west side to the east side of the river and
disappeared into a burrow just below a tree. We walked
upstream on the west side, looking out for it all the
time. When we reached the Palmer's Road viewing point,
there was another vole which swam across to the east side
with some vegetation, which looked like a stick, in its
mouth. It entered a burrow only to emerge again after a
few seconds
16
April (6pm)
- A - Pair apparently mating above the north bridge just
before the bend - Kate Kerridge
This is the first
sighting from the river above the north bridge this year.
It could mean we have a third pair of Water Voles on the
river, in addition to those near the sluice gate and
beneath the gasholder.
10
April (12:15)
- C - One swimming across river near sluice gate.
Caroline French
I saw a Water Vole at
Brook Meadow at 12.15 today. A couple who were there when
I arrived had also seen it shortly before I got there. It
was in the usual area by the sluice, just a bit further
downstream. It swam across from the east bank to the
west, too quickly for me to get a picture unfortunately.
I looked further up the river by the gas cylinder but no
luck. You and the rest of the Brook Meadow team have
certainly managed to generate a lot of local interest in
the little animals! There always seems to be someone
there looking out for them.
7
April -
(10:00) - B - One swimming along west bank beneath the
gasholder. Lesley Harris
Keith and I briefly saw a
Water Vole swimming along the west bank close to the
gasholder . He or she dived into a hole in the riverbed.
Lesley Harris
6
April - (11:00)
- C - One in the river by the sluice gate - Juliet
Walker
Shortly after meeting you
on the bridge this morning, I walked back along the east
bank of the Ems. In the distance I saw two men pointing
excitedly. They told me they'd seen a water vole swimming
across the river, to the west bank, just north of the
sluice and the warning sign. It had disappeared into a
clump of reeds. I stayed watching with one of the men and
was rewarded with the sight of the vole scampering along
the bank, in the snow, then disappearing into another
clump of reeds, immediately below the viewing place.
Unfortunately I did not have my camera ready. I stayed
for a while longer, with camera poised, but saw nothing.
This has given me great encouragement. A pity I didn't
get the snow shot though - that would have been quite
something!
4
April
(12:00) - B - One peeping from its burrow beneath the
gasholder - Brian Fellows
As I walked back along
the main river path towards home I was delighted to spot
another Water Vole peeping out of its borrow in the west
bank of the river just beneath the gasholder. This is
very good news and indicates the "gasholder pair" are
probably still alive and active, despite the lack of
sightings since late February.
4
April
(10:00) - C - One swimming near the sluice gate - Brian
Fellows
At about 10am I spotted a
Water Vole swimming across the river in Palmer's Road
Copse, just south of the sluice gate. This was almost
certainly one of the "sluice gate pair" that have been
seen on a number of occasions in this area. As I was
walking back through Brook Meadow a couple of hours later
I saw Tony Wootton and another person watching with their
cameras at the ready from the new fence in Palmer's Road
Copse. I gather one of them had seen the Water Vole pair
swimming acorss the river.
2
April (11:30)
- C - One near sluice gate - Granville
Griffiths
At 11.30 this morning,
Wed April 2nd, while strolling through Brook Meadow, I
had a brief but clear view of a water vole, swimming
first into then out of the obvious hole in the western
bank of the river just about level with the bench seat.
Only about ten seconds, but quite a thrill, my first
sighting. I do so enjoy your regular bulletins, for which
many thanks.
31
March (19:30)
- C - One near sluice gate - Brian Fellows
Evening watch - I spent
about an hour this evening from 7pm to 8pm looking for
Water Voles along the River Ems in Brook Meadow. The only
Water Vole I saw during this time was in the regular
place near the sluice gate. I watched this Vole for about
15 minutes as it swam along the edge of the east bank,
occasionally disappearing into burrow holes. It then swam
across the river a couple of times to the south of the
sluice gate before scrambling onto the eastern bank.
Finally I watched it swim along the edge of the river
past the sluice gate to disappear into a burrow hole.
I watched other parts of the river where Water Voles have
been seen in the past, ie below the south bridge, south
of the S-bend, beneath the gasholder and north of the
north bridge, without seeing any sign of activity. This
confirms my growing opinion that there is only one active
pair of Water Voles on the Ems this year, at least so
far.
Helen
Perkins (the Water Vole co-ordinator for the Wildlife
Trusts) made an interesting point in her article on Water
Voles in the current Natural World Magazine (Spring 2008,
p.24) that "Water Voles need neighbours. They must be
able to disperse and interchange with other colonies . .
." This is clearly a problem for the Voles on Brook
Meadow, they do not have any close neighbours and on such
an enclosed site dispersion and interchange cannot be
easy. Helen also indicated that the Hampshire Wildlife
Trust is hosting the National Water Vole Database and
Mapping Project for 2008.
It was
also good to see a Water Vole as the picture on the new
HWT Membership Card for 2008.
30
March (13:00)
- C - One on the bank near the sluice gate - Caroline
French
Caroline and Ray spotted
a Water Vole at about 1pm near the sluice gate. It was
moving among the nettles and after a while it emerged
further down the bank and disappeared into a burrow, only
to reappear a little later from an adjacent
hole.
29
March (12:00)
- C - One swimming near the sluice gate. Brian Fellows
I met Robin Pottinger
near the observation fence in Palmer's Road Copse where
we got a brief but clear view of a Water Vole swimming
along the edge of the far river bank from one burrow hole
to another.
25
March
(12:00) - C - A pair on the River Ems near the sluice
gate. Brian Fellows
I had an excellent view
of what was clearly a pair of highly active Water Voles
on the river just south of the sluice gate on Brook
Meadow at about 12 noon. I watched the pair for about 30
minutes as they swam in the river, ran in and out of
burrows, frolicked and possibly attempted mating. I
managed to get some nice photos of the Voles using my
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ5 camera.
This is the area where
all recent sightings of the voles have been. As there
have been no Vole sightings in the area further up the
river beneath the gasholder since Feb 21 this suggests
there may be only one pair of Voles which has moved down
river.
24
March
6.20pm - C - On River Ems by the Bulrushes - Caroline
French
Ray and I have just got
back from a walk down to Brook Meadows where we at last
spotted a Water Vole - a first for both of us. Hurrah! It
was on the bank opposite the information sign near the
entrance by the bottle bank in Tesco's car park. It was
only a brief sighting as it swam/ran half-submerged
alongside the riverbank and into one of its burrows. This
was at about 6.20pm today.
21
March (7.30am)
- C - One on River Ems by the Bulrushes - Pam Phillips
4
March -
One in Lumley Stream - Tony Wootton
Definite Water Vole in
the Lumley stream by where we 'normally' see the Rail.
(Poor picture held if wanted)
2
March
(5pm) - C - One swam across river near the sluice gate -
Roger Mills
21
Feb - B -
One in hole beneath gasholder - Jennifer Rye
11
Feb - B -
One in river beneath gasholder in same place as yesterday
- Brian Fellows
Following Frances's
report of Water Voles in the river yesterday I waited on
the main river path immediately opposite the gasholder
near the prominent Bay tree for about 15 minutes from
11am before I was rewarded with the sighting of a Water
Vole swimming in the river and disappearing into a burrow
on the west bank. It went too quickly for me to get a
photo. I waited a bit longer but it did not emerge. Will
try again.
10
Feb - B -
Two in river beneath gasholder. 1st sightings of the
year. Frances Jannaway
Frances e-mailed to say
she saw 2 Water Voles at about 12.45pm, just below the
gas holder near the prominent Bay Tree, one small Water
Vole was enjoying what looked like a Nettle leaf,
completely oblivious to passers by. A second one swam
towards the riverbank and disappeared into the
undergrowth.
WATER
VOLE NEWS AND SIGHTINGS (2005-2007)
2007: Total = 25 First on
Feb 25 and last on Nov 4.
2006: Total = 17 First on
Apr 5 and last on July 23
2005: Total = 50 First on
Mar 2 and last on June 30
WATER
VOLE SURVEY
19
October 2007 -
Report and photos by Frances Jannaway
Link to Andy Rothwell's
report . .
. Water
Vole Survey 2007
Andy Rothwell, a Water
Vole and Otter consultant who works all over the SE of
England, carried out a survey of both the River Ems and
Lumley Stream to determine the state of the Water Vole
population in Brook Meadow and the surrounding area. Andy
found a lot of signs of Water Vole activity, such as
recent burrows, latrines and larders. He located two hot
spots. One on either side of the channel where the Lumley
Stream flows into Peter Pond and the other one near the
dry sluice and amongst the bulrushes and reeds on the
River Ems. The signs of Water Vole activity Andy found
were more numerous on the River Ems. The larders showed
that the Water Voles on the River Ems are eating
vegetation such as Soft Rush and Reed Canary Grass
whereas on Peter Pond their diet consisted of Phragmites
(Common Reed).
On the River Ems, the area where Water Vole activity is
the highest is between the two WV notices, which is where
most sightings have been. There were few signs either
south of the sluice or north of the North bridge. Andy
said that it would be better to open up more of the
riverbank to let more light in and also reduce the amount
of Nettles on the riverbank and encourage grasses and
herbs such as Comfrey to grow. He also recorded at least
two pairs of Kingfishers one on the Lumley Stream and one
on the River Ems chasing each other up and downstream.
Andy will write a report of his findings and we will get
a copy which will be put on our website. Many thanks to
Graham Roberts of HWT for organising and funding this
survey.
Photo:
Water Vole Survey -
19.10.07
. . . Photo:
Water Vole Survey -
19.10.07
. . . Photo:
Wale Survey -
19.10.07
Water
Vole News from Brook Meadow for 2005
As far as we can judge
Water Voles have been active on the River Ems in Brook
Meadow, Emsworth, over the past year. A total of 50
sightings were logged from the beginning of March to the
end of June, mostly of one or two voles (see list below).
As in previous years, the sightings were from 4 main
areas along the 400 metre stretch of river, suggesting
the presence of at least 4 breeding
territories?
To protect the Water Vole
habitat the conservation group have erected fences and
dead hedge barriers to prevent people getting down onto
the river bank where the burrows are close to the
surface. There are still a few 'dog runs ' down to the
river, but from what Graham Roberts says, this may not be
such a bad thing in keeping the dreaded Mink away. No
sign of any of them so far.
The Environment Agency
have been very cooperative with their annual clearance of
the river which is now conducted after consulting the
conservation group. They are very careful not to cut too
much and to leave in channel vegetation for the voles. In
fact, this year we even had to ask them to come back and
clear a bit more!
We have also been active
on the PR front to raise the awareness of people to the
presence of this highly endangered creature in our local
river and how lucky we are to have it living here. From
the smiles on people's faces when they tell us they have
just seen a Water Vole swimming in the river, we must be
winning. We are also keen to emphasise the distinction
between the Water Vole and the Brown Rat. We had a recent
exhibition in Emsworth Museum in which the Water Voles
featured highly. We also have a permanent information
signcase devoted to information and news about the
voles.
Our major concern is with
the viability of what is a very small population of Water
Voles. With Brook Meadow so boxed in by roads and the
railway there seems to be little obvious opportunity for
a fresh input from other area, not that there are any
others in the local area anyway.
Population
fragmentation (Extract from Action Plan for Sussex
web site - see link above)
"Survival of water vole populations, especially following
local declines, often depends upon the movement and
exchange of individuals between neighbouring colonies and
habitats. Many of the above can result in the separation
of remnant populations into isolated 'islands'. Due to
the variable reproductive capacity of water voles,
together with the high mortality rates over winter, this
leaves them more vulnerable to unpredictable stochastic
events and extreme environmental conditions.
Opportunistic mink predation of fragmented populations
can subsequently result in local population
extinctions."
Water
Voles at Bosham 2005
During a visit to Bosham
in December 2005 I saw a notice near the church entitled
"Water Voles at Bosham" with my Water Vole photo on it!
(Anne de Potier had asked permission to use it on their
signs). The Bosham Mill Stream supports a good population
of these delightful creatures and details given about the
work taking place to repair the banks of the millstream
which were starting to collapse. The photo shows bundles
of Hazel (called faggots) attached to the church bank.
These will help to prevent the bank from erosion, so silt
will be trapped and plants grow. All this should provide
a good habitat for Water Voles.
Water
Vole notice at Bosham Millstream -
22.12.05
Bank
repairs to the Bosham Millstream -
22.12.05
WATER
VOLE SURVEY ON THE RIVER EMS - MONDAY APRIL 18
2005
As previously arranged
with Bob Collins, approximately 25 boys and 3 staff from
the City of Portsmouth Boys School visited Brook Meadow
for educational work. Bob had organised numerous projects
for the boys to carry out, including river depth/width
profiles at several places, invertebrate survey,
distribution of water vole burrows along the bank,
quadrat work at several places, lichen distribution on
trees, soil pH, mole hill survey and rates of flow in
stream.
Bob Collins sent me the
graphical results of the survey of Water Vole burrows.
The survey covered the area from the north bridge to the
south bridge and the graph plotted the number of burrows
observed against the number of metres from the north
bridge. Although the burrows are well distributed along
the whole stretch of the river, they tend to cluster in
theareas where most of the Water Vole sightings are made,
ie around the gasholder and by the new fence.
WATER
VOLE SURVEY 2004
Chris
Giles fom the Hampshire Wildlife Trust came to Brook
Meadow on Wednesday 19th May to investigate the Water
Vole situation. The news was good. He found plenty of
signs of activity all along the river and he concluded we
had a strong and healthy Water Vole population. Chris
also found no signs of Mink which could have a
devastating effect on Water Voles. Chris identified a
couple of problems to tackle. One concerned the luxuriant
growth of Nettles along the river banks which should be
controlled by regular cutting. This is something to
discuss with the Environment Agency before their annual
clearance of the river. The other problem was the
emerging foot path along the low west bank behind the
industrial units. This is one of the best areas for Water
Voles and the burrows are being damaged by walkers. One
solution would be to erect a fence to prevent people
walking in this sentitive area and this will be discussed
with David Sawyer of Havant Borough Council.
WATER
VOLE SURVEYs 2002
In 2002
the Brook Meadow Conservation Group took part in two
Water Vole surveys organised by Clare Bishop of the
Hampshire Wildlife Trust. Each time we discovered many
signs of their presence all along the River Ems as it
passes through Brook Meadow. We also have also had many
sightings of them in the river.
Preliminary
Water Vole Survey -
22nd
May 2002
Frances
Brettell and Brian Fellows joined Clare Bishop of the
Hampshire Wildlife Trust to conduct a preliminary Water
Vole survey along the River Ems and the Lumley Stream in
Brook Meadow. While Frances and Clare donned waders and
walked up the the river looking for signs on the banks,
Brian walked up the banks recording their observations.
There was plenty of evidence of Water Vole activity along
the River Ems, but none along the Lumley Stream. There
were 4 main areas of activity along the Ems with short
gaps between them. In all, 55 burrow holes, 6 latrines
and 5 larders were recorded. Clare found some very small
droppings of no more than 5mm in length that could be
from a Water Shrew. If so, this would be a good addition
to the mammal population of Brook Meadow.
Clare and Graham Roberts came to Emsworth in late July
2002 to give a talk about Water Voles. This was followed
by another Water Vole survey involving more group members
and other interested parties. The survey was extended
along the River Ems and related waterways as far as north
Westbourne.
Water
Vole Surveys - 12th and 16th of September
On Tues 10th September 2002 about 20 people met up with
Clare Bishop of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust in Brook
Meadow for a training session in the identification of
Water Vole signs, ie, burrows, latrine sites and feeding
remains. After the session the group were divided into
sub-groups of 3 or 4 people and allocated different
sections of the River Ems to survey in the next week or
so.
Brian Fellows joined Andrew Shaw an HWT volunteer, Peter
and Heather Archer and Liz Heath to survey the stretch of
the Ems from the A259 in the south to the A27 in the
north. As expected, they found a great deal of evidence
of Water Vole activity in the section of the Ems that
passes through Brook Meadow. They also discovered two new
areas of Water Vole activity. One was in the short
section of the river south of the A259 just before it
disappears into the culvert that takes it beneath the Old
Flour Mill and into Dolphin Lake. The other area of water
vole activity was in the section of the Ems north of
Constant Springs where it runs through the currently
neglected tree plantation. Brian Fellows subsequently saw
a Water Vole swimming under the Lumley bridge between
Constant Springs to Lumley Mill.
WATER
VOLES IN EMSWORTH 2002 - article by Clare
Bishop
In the
last issue of Wildlife, we reported that local people
from Emsworth had taken part in a successful water vole
survey last autumn along the River Ems. In this update,
Clare Bishop, Trust Conservation Officer, shows how local
action and partnership working have already yielded
results.
Water voles have suffered the most dramatic decline of
any British mammal in the last century. lost from 94% of
sites since the 1970s! Protected under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9) this has
still not halted their decline. It is a priority species
in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and as the South East
is the national stronghold, and Hampshire may contain the
highest populations within the region, it is of extreme
importance in the Hampshire Biodiversity Action Plan.
Although water voles can still be found on all of the
main river catchments in the county, the distribution of
water voles on the smaller rivers and tributaries in
Hampshire is largely unrecorded, and this led to last
autumn's survey involving the community, along the River
Ems. The River Ems flows from near Walderton in West
Sussex, through Westbourne and into Emsworth; it then
flows out into Chichester Harbour. As only part of the
river is in Hampshire, the Trust formed a partnership
with the Environment Agency and the Otter and Rivers
Project at Sussex Wildlife Trust.
This partnership project was kick-started by sightings of
water voles at Brook Meadow SINC (Site of Importance for
Nature Conservation) in Emsworth, which has the River Ems
along its western boundary.
Local people including volunteers from the Brook Meadow
Conservation Group surveyed each section, sending their
results into the Wildlife Trust's new database.
In Hampshire, the only positive records came from the
southernmost sections of the River Ems. Below Brook
Meadows the Ems soon becomes brackish, emptying into Mill
Pond before Chichester Harbour, and water voles rarely
tolerate this habitat.
Results show that at Brook Meadows over 90 water vole
burrows were found. However much better active indicators
are latrines (piles of fresh droppings) and larders (neat
piles of chopped vegetation with chewed ends), at burrow
entrances or on prominent stones or logs. Eleven of these
active signs were recorded on one visit. The habitat here
is reasonably good for water voles, their main threat
being disturbance by people and, particularly, dogs, on
the well used footpaths.
Unfortunately no active signs of water voles were found
on any other sections in Hampshire. There are a number of
reasons for this: very shallow banks, trampling by cows,
banks reinforced with sandbags and brick walls, heavy
shading by trees and, in places, too little vegetation to
provide cover. Much of the river has rather stony banks
and this of course makes burrowing almost impossible.
In Sussex, just one isolated population was discovered,
in an area of dense reeds, east of Westbourne. Sadly, it
would appear that the Brook Meadow population and the
Sussex population are rather fragmented and isolated. If
they are to survive here we need to look at both
protecting the existing colonies, and if possible
encouraging their spread outwards, with careful habitat
management.
This year we will be approaching neighbouring landowners
to see if we can give appropriate advice on river bank
management to encourage water voles and other
wildlife.
We are delighted to report that almost immediately
following our survey, protection of the existing colony
of Emsworth voles started. In recognition of this
priority species, the Environment Agency at Worthing has
put in place a new range of bank cutting regimes, to
reflect both the risk of flooding and the conservation
value of each site. For the first time, as a direct
result of the River Ems survey, only one bank at Brook
Meadow was cut last autumn, leaving the other side
completely untouched, to allow ample refuge for water
voles. In addition small islands of vegetation were left
in the channel to provide further cover from the myriad
of predators facing water voles.
Thanks are due to the Environment Agency at Worthing, the
Brook Meadow Conservation Group and all the volunteers
who have made a difference to the plight of the water
vole in this part of the county.
Published
in "Wildlife" (Summer/Autumn 2003)
