New woodland home for Yorkshire’s water voles

VANISHING: The water vole now has its own Biodiversity Action Plan

 
The tiny mammal has vanished from many of its former haunts and now merits its own Biodiversity Action Plan.

Forestry Commission ecologist and biodiversity officer Adrienne Bennett said: ‘Habitat creation is a key goal in Kiveton's transformation from a derelict colliery site into a thriving woodland, so the fact that we have water voles is tremendous news.

Loss of riverbank habitat and predation by mink are just two of the factors behind the water vole's demise. Over the past 60 years they are said to have vanished from 90 per cent of their UK homes. Kiveton is doing its small part in helping reverse that decline.'

Rangers found numerous water vole latrines along a 400-metre stretch of streamside in the wood. Although it's a smelly job, hunting for droppings is the best way of confirming the creature's presence as actually sighting one can be very difficult. 

SMELLY WORK: Adrienne Bennett looking for  traces of water vole habitation

The survey will provide experts with a benchmark to measure the water vole's fortunes in future years.

Vince Carter, from the Forestry Commission's Yorkshire region, said: ‘Nurturing new woodland on brownfield sites is one of the priorities in the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Forest Strategy. Not only do they provide people with a place to chill out and enjoy exercise, but they add greatly to the range of local habitats for wildlife.

‘The news that water voles seem to be doing well at Kiveton is very encouraging, given how tough times have been for the elusive animal.'

Kiveton Colliery closed in 1994 and its green makeover saw 37,000 trees planted, complimenting 40 acres of existing woodland, with another 50 acres of ponds and grassland created, along with 4km of trackways. Smooth newts and many bird species have gained a foothold in the beauty spot.