The U.K.'s fastest declining mammal
The water vole population in the U.K. has fallen from its estimated pre-1960 level of around 8 million to 2.3 million in 1990 and to 354,000 in 1998. This represents a 90–95% loss. It is still declining dramatically: the most recent estimate is around 220,000. This decline is partly attributed to the American mink, an aggressive predator of the vole, together with unsympathetic farming and watercourse management which destroyed parts of the water vole's habitat.
The water vole is the U.K.'s fastest declining mammal and efforts are under way to protect it and its habitat from further destruction. When I was a child (40 years ago) they were relatively common in the canals of Leicestershire, yet they are now seldom seen. East Anglia is an important national stronghold for the water vole. I have had fleeting views at a number of sites in Norfolk and Suffolk, however it is only on this trip to Minsmere (Suffolk) in September 2023, that I managed to get a photo to submit to iNaturalist.
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Brilliant photos! It's a massive shame how invasive species are running rampant in our country. I remember seeing a water vole on the river weaver in Nantwich way back in 2015. I had walked along that river many times over a period of 2 years and only saw a single water vole during that time frame. I've not seen a water vole since, but if I do I hope I can snap some pictures as good as yours.
@jarronevsbaru many thanks for you kind comments. I used to see them regularly whenever I was canoeing as a teenager, and have spotted a few since I moved to East Anglia, but they are certainly very elusive even here.
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