At each visit, water vole droppings were counted then swept off. These will have a neat pile of nipped vegetation with sections between 5 and 10cms in length and are good field signs of water vole presence. Otter surveys can often be completed in tandem with water vole surveys. You wont normally need a licence to survey for water voles unless you need to trap them or put a camera into their burrows. His enormous contribution in highlighting the catastrophic decline of water voles, championing the conservation and legal protection of the species, and increasing. Water vole surveys can take place between early april and late october. Attleborough to assess the presence or likely absence of water voles and otters. There is a great laminated sheet by the field studies council which is called a guide to british mammal tracks and signs which is an excellent guide to carry with you when you are surveying and includes a comparison of water vole and rat footprints, as well as otter and mink footprints. Further details of water vole survey methods are provided in the water vole mitigation handbook the mammal society 2016.
The national water vole database and mapping project was established in 2008 by the uk water vole steering group to collate water vole survey records, map the distribution of this species and identify important areas for water vole conservation. The mammal society water vole mitigation handbook is now. The water vole mitigation handbook sussex wildlife trust. To be undertaking such work, cieem would consider attainment of the criteria outlined in this guidance to be a minimum for an individual to competently survey for water voles. Method statement in support of a water vole licence application. They held on in low numbers but by 2010 were probably present at only one or two locations. Assessment ecia was undertaken in accordance with the design manual. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The mammal society published a new water vole mitigation handbook in march 2016 and we have just recieved a copy of the guide. Traditional survey methods rely upon the recording of field signs indicative of the presence of water voles, as described in the water vole conservation handbook strachan et al. The latest survey recorded an even greater loss of water vole sites than the previous survey, estimating the rate of loss of water vole sites, up to autumn 1998 at 89%. We are qualified to advise you about every aspect of water vole conservation, including surveying, river corridor management and mitigation.
Water vole onservation handbook strachan and moorhouse, 2011 with additional reference to other publications e. Survey reports and mitigation plans are required for development projects that could. Water voles have rounder noses than rats, deep brown fur, chubby faces and short fuzzy ears. Water vole occurrence 10 was recorded in spring marchapril and autumn septemberoctober at each survey site by searching for field signs faeces, latrines and burrows at 10 m intervals within 2. This is part of our good practice guidance for water voles, produced by mike dean. Water voles will gnaw through willow branches up to 1 inch in diameter. Water vole conservation handbook third edition this document provides the most uptodate guidance on surveys to inform conservation but not development and habitat management. The recommended survey period for water vole is between midapril and late september, when they are most active. This document replaces those sections in the water vole conservation handbook that refer to developments and licensing. Water vole mitigation guidance displacement or relocation. Each year we will ask you to survey your sites once during may and submit your findings online, whether or not you found water voles or their field signs. Five are in and around bromsgrove town and 45 locations are in the christopher cadbury reserve at upton.
Request pdf on jan 1, 2006, rob strachan and others published water vole conservation handbook, second edition find, read and cite all the research. Survey water voles peoples trust for endangered species. Traditional survey methods rely upon the recording of field signs indicative of the presence of water voles, as described in the water vole conservation handbook strachan et. The water vole mitigation handbook, endorsed by the water vole steering group and cieem, provides the latest guidance on mitigating the effects of development on water voles. The survey methodology used was in accordance with the water vole conservation handbook strachan et al. In upland habitats or northern parts of the uk the survey period is shorter generally midmay to midseptember, or june to august in upland scotland. Recent developments in survey methodology include the use of edna and camera trapping techniques. However, a countywide survey conducted in 1998 found. This publication aims to promote best practice in the surveying and mitigation of water voles by ecological consultants, and to guide and inform decision makers that suitable survey information is provided and suitable mitigation measures proposed dean et al.
Nhbs rob strachan, tom moorhouse and merryl gelling, wild cru. Mitigation measures for water vole included the excavation of a winding new ditch adjacent to the river to create new habitat for water vole ensuring no net loss of habitat during construction and a net gain postconstruction. A guide to water vole ecology and field signs since april 6th, 2008, it has been illegal to trap, harm, kill, injure or disturb water voles arvicola amphibius in their natural habitat. As a result, lancashire county councils ecologists raised a request for further survey work, comprising an appropriately timed water vole survey. But despite full legal protection the species has still declined. A new water vole mitigation handbook 2016 has been recently published to promote best practise amongst ecological consultant undertaking water vole work, stipulating that further research is needed to test the effectiveness of the displacement method in relocating water voles. S4 water vole sap 6 in 2002 worcestershire wildlife trust carried out a water vole survey within bromsgrove town, which informed the production of bromsgrove district councils water vole conservation strategy. This handbook aims to improve the understanding and awareness of the requirements of water voles. New water vole mitigation guidelines for development and. Water vole conservation handbook, second edition request pdf. In addition, water voles may be present in areas with minimal bankside shelter and seemingly low abundance of food sources e. Before you survey for water volesuseful equipment water voles in sussex legal status world water vole distribution appearance. Our survey reveals whether watercourses up to 500m from your site contain evidence of water voles.
You can also get advice for helping water voles on your land and learn more about this wonderful creature via the links below. Apr 26, 2016 the mammal society published a new water vole mitigation handbook in march 2016 and we have just recieved a copy of the guide. It is often informally called the water rat, though it only superficially resembles a true rat. Water vole conservation handbook download ebook pdf. Natural england technical information note tin042 water. Water voles are protected under section 9 of the wildlife and countryside act 1981 as. Strachan r and moorhouse t 2006 water vole conservation handbook 2nd. Brookside business park, uttoxeter august 2012 p2015. Table 21 evidence of water vole activity recorded within the nts interconnector. The vast majority of surveys were carried out by volunteers trained in water vole survey techniques, through the trusts riversearch project.
Water voles were subsequently trapped out from the stretch of river affected by the works and released into the new. Predator occurrence was recorded by the presence of scats. Buy water vole conservation handbook 9780954637651. The third edition of the water vole conservation handbook was published in 2011 and in 2016 the mammal society published the water vole mitigation handbook. Oct 09, 2014 standing advice for local planning authorities who need to assess the impacts of development on water voles. Water vole survey water voles arvicola amphibious and their habitat are provided full legal protection under schedule 5 section 9 of the wca 1981 as amended, which makes it illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take water voles and to damage, disturb or destroy their place of shelter, i. Water vole conservation handbook third edition cieem.
Here we provide an overview of the background to the guidelines as well as the key recommendations within them. This involved searching for evidence of water voles and making an. The following points represent key themes to bear in mind when formulating mitigation plans for a piece of water vole casework. The european water vole or northern water vole arvicola amphibius, included in synonymy. But the growth of dense scrub or trees is equally damaging it leads to a decline in the grasses, reeds, sedges and rushes that the voles eat. Water vole records made by the rutland natural history society rnhs showed that they were quite commonly seen in the 1960s and in the area now covered by rutland water, but the number seen in rutland had declined seriously between 1965 and 1976 fig. Water vole conservation and management aston publications. Water voles are now fully protected under the wildlife and countryside act. Water voles are small burrowing rodents, which are associated with all kinds of water bodies.
Evidence of water vole activity was recorded at two ditches refer to table 21 for further detail and figure a9. The water vole survey was conducted in accordance with the methods detailed in the water vole conservation handbook2 and entailed walking the margins of the water bodies, where possible within the water, and searching the margins and banks for signs of water vole activity that included. Urban grasslands support threatened water voles journal of. Standing advice for planning consultations protected species. The 2011 water vole conservation handbook itself cites four case studies where the displacement technique has been used pages 91, 96, 9798 and 102 and each time has been shown to fail. In october 2011 small water vole monitoring rafts were placed at 10m intervals along the ditches and streams of the release sites, usually around ten per site, on longer stretches as many as 25. All work close to rivers should be regarded as potentially hazardous, please do not take risks. The water vole conservation handbook third edition provides extensive.
Water vole spotters pack why survey for water voles. The water vole is under serious threat from habitat loss and predation by the nonnative american mink. Standing advice for planning consultations protected. The surveys completed by phillip parker associates ltd in 20141 found no evidence of water voles in any of the ponds on site and considered the ditches and drains on the site to be unsuitable for water voles. Surveys took place on sites with past records of water voles and in areas either with suitable water vole habitat or anecdotal records of the species. Water voles usually live beside bodies of water, where they feed on grasses and herbs growing on the banks. Water vole survey background nationally, the populations of water voles have declined dramatically, initially as a result of degradation and loss of habitat and subsequently due to the spread of american mink. Water voles can potentially be affected by a range of work within the riparian bankside and beyond. The best advice from nrw is for the developer to consult the water vole mitigation handbook in all situations. Two surveys are required to confirm presence and a population estimate of water voles. The mammal society has just published new water vole mitigation guidelines for development and construction projects. Mar 04, 2016 the mammal society has just published new water vole mitigation guidelines for development and construction projects. The survey for badger was undertaken concurrently with the otter and water vole survey and covered all accessible areas of the survey area which extended to 200m from. National water vole monitoring programme survey guidelines 2015 welcome to the national water vole monitoring programme nwvmp survey guidelines, thank you very much for participating.
Water vole method statement 20 natural resources wales. Survey manual for water vole spotters sussex wildlife trust. Protecting wildlife for the future a guide to water vole ecology and field signs since april 6th, 2008, it has been illegal to trap, harm, kill, injure or disturb water voles arvicola amphibius in their natural habitat. Protected in the uk under the wildlife and countryside act, 1981. Within the survey period at least two survey visits are recommended. National water vole monitoring programme recording forms please ensure you have read the survey guidelines before doing your survey. Crewe green link road south otter and water vole report. Impact of habitat destruction on water vole displacement. The latter is aimed at promoting best practice in undertaking surveys and designing and implementing water vole mitigation measures. Water vole species action plan worcestershire county council. National water vole monitoring programme recording forms. If water voles are present in the area then consider whether proposals can be amended to ensure that the work does not result in an offence i.
Ensured information on water vole conservation requirements and appropriate habitat management was available to all riparian owners, managers and advisers, through various technical guidance notes and the water vole conservation handbook. Furthermore, a water vole sighting was recorded outside of the survey area at ridgy pool. In addition to the field signs of water vole, otter and mink, this guide shows some of the confusion species and their signs. The most recent national survey of water voles, carried out in 19961998, resurveyed the sites surveyed in 19891990, and compared the results strachan et al. To satisfy this request, ribble ecology undertook a water vole survey on the 16th april. You will then need to complete the nwvmp survey form when you do your survey in may. The survey was based on the methods described within the water vole conservation handbook, 3rd edition strachan, moorhouse and gelling 2016. Click download or read online button to get water vole conservation handbook book now. The mammal societys water vole mitigation handbook is now available to purchase as a paperback from nhbs. The first in a new series of practitioner guidance from the mammal society, it provides the evidence base for informed decisionmaking by ecological consultants, planners.
Survey forms were adapted from the standard water vole survey form set out in the water vole conservation handbook strachan et al. Water vole survey generic and dynamic risk assessment. The uk water vole steering group is pleased to endorse the water vole mitigation handbook as the industry standard for all those undertaking surveys, assessing impacts and designing mitigation for water voles in the context of development or construction activities. Found along our waterways, it is similarlooking to the brown rat, but with a blunt nose, small ears and furry tail. Water voles may also select a favoured feeding spot along pathways, or on a haul out platform known as a feeding station. In 2015 we launched the first national survey for 20 years that will guide the way for urgent action. Surveys were carried out by suitably experienced ecologists on the 22nd may and 16th july 2018. The land survey handbook covers procedures for land. By the second national survey in 199698, only three sites were still positive.
Water voles, bank voles, field voles how to tell a water vole from a rat habitat and home range feeding breeding and lifecycle. Water vole conservation handbook 3rd edition strachan, moorhouse and gelling 2016 and the essex otter survey, 20092010 darren tansley 2014. Water vole habitat can be damaged if grazing reduces the height of bankside vegetation. Along with field sign counts, the site location and altitude was recorded. An initial assessment of the water vole population through baseline surveys. New water vole mitigation handbook ecology by design. National water vole monitoring programme survey guidelines. This involved searching for evidence of water voles and making an assessment of habitat suitability. Water voles prefer sites with steep or stepped bank profiles into which they can burrow to create nest chambers above the water table. In 2016 the mammal society mitigation guidance series published the new water vole mitigation handbook.
The survey followed standard water vole survey methodology strachan and moorhouse, 2006 which consisted of searching for signs such as burrows, lawns, latrines, feeding stations and footprints. Water vole conservation handbook, 2006 introduction the publication in 2006 of the revised edition of the water vole conservation handbook strachan and moorhouse 2006 provided a valuable update on aspects of the species ecology and conservation. This publication was intended as a guide based on perceived best practice at the time. Gnhs report the ecology of water vole arvicola amphibius. The best time to conduct water vole surveys is during the breeding season when theyre most active. This was taken into account during the surveys, with such areas subject to survey. In sussex, the first national water vole survey carried out in 198990 found that 71% of sixty three sample sites had positive signs of water voles. Water vole populations in england, scotland and wales are at the western edge. Water vole development guidance natural resources wales. Guidance on mitigation has been superseded by the water vole mitigation handbook. Can you survey a site for water voles by taking part in the national water vole monitoring programme. Water voles numbers are declining and are considered a species of importance in england, scotland and wales. Introduction the purpose of this document is to set out the knowledge, skills and experience required to survey, disturb, handle or to carry out research works hereinafter referred to generically as survey for the water vole arvicola. Please complete the site information form when you do your preliminary visit of your site.
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