Every year, many miles of habitat occupied by water voles is cleared by strimming. The idea is that water voles will move out of areas designated for development, and create new burrow systems elsewhere.
However, rather than moving animals from a dangerous construction site, there is a risk that the voles simply stay in the bare habitat, risking death from starvation or predation.
Therefore starting in mid-August, the Mammal Society will be working with WildCRU at the University of Oxford to assess the threat posed to water vole populations by strimming, and attempt to identify workable solutions. What is more, the recent changes in licensing requirements for work with water voles mean that the Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations will be able to act on our findings.
Please help us to carry out this vital work, and spread the word among family and friends to donate.
£10 – will cover a day’s transport costs for one of our field staff radio-tracking the voles.
£30 – buys a water vole trap for relocations.
Our Water Vole Mitigation Handbook provides guidance on the recent changes in licensing requirements for water vole mitigation and is now available from NHBS here.
