Water voles are a native species that used to been seen down our waterways very recently up until the last 30 years or so. Surveys during March and November may be possible but will be dependent on weather and climatic conditions. This is part of our Good Practice Guidance for water voles, produced by Mike Dean. Water vole tail is slightly longer than that of bank vole, with it being 60% head and body length compared to 50%. Technique: Walk over assessment of the water feature banks up to 5m from the waterâs Water vole surveys can be undertaken between mid-April and September. Dedication ROB STRACHAN It is much bigger than other vole species. The similar brown rat is larger, with grey-brown fur, a pointed nose, large ears that protrude from its fur, and a long, scaly tail. 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. Bank vole (Myodes glareolus) Bank vole much smaller than water vole with head and body length of 9-11cm compared to 14-22cm. survey found no evidence of water voles. Survey work will be undertake during daylight hours during the optimum survey season (April to September), when Water voles are most active. 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., 2016). Watching a known water vole site from a distance or from concealment to see if it is occupied, providing there is no intention of disturbing the water vole. However, if a water vole is seen to be present you should withdraw immediately. Recently published guidelines specify 2 visits; 1 from Mid-April to June, 1 from July to September. Good luck with this yearâs survey! a water vole). From these two sets of information it is possible to estimate the actual and possible numbers of water voles living along the watercourse. The 2011 Water Vole Conservation Handbook itself cites four case studies where the displacement technique has been used (pages 91, 96, 97-98 and 102) and each time has been shown to fail. Collecting material from water vole feeding stations. Each year we will ask you to survey your site(s) once during May and submit your findings online, whether or not you found water voles or their field signs. water voles from over 13km of habitat despite a regime of vegetation cutting designed to effect their displacement (Markwell, H. 2008). 2.2 Survey Methods 2.2.1 The DMRB does not give specific guidance on water vole survey techniques, therefore the survey methodology followed that described in the Water Vole Conservation Handbook (Strachan, 1998). Collecting records in this way will enable your survey results to be utilised by the National Monitoring Programme and locally, contributing valuable information for the Carbon Landscape Programme. 4. Guidance on mitigation has been superseded by The Water Vole Mitigation Handbook. In 2016 The Mammal Society Mitigation Guidance Series published the new Water Vole Mitigation Handbook. Water Vole Conservation Handbook (Third Edition) This document provides the most up-to-date guidance on surveys to inform conservation (but not development) and habitat management. The survey is based on the Peopleâs Trust for Endangered Species National Water Vole Monitoring Programme (NWVMP) survey guidelines (2015). Water voles will gnaw through willow branches up to 1 inch in diameter. This involved searching for evidence of water voles and making an assessment of the habitat Water voles may also select a favoured feeding spot along pathways, or on a haul out platform known as a feeding station. 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