In June 2003 a Water Vole (‘Ratty’ in ‘Wind in The Willows’ and a ‘red listed’ species, in danger of extinction in England) was sighted at The Blue Lagoon in Arlesey. There were 2 witnesses, myself and Tim Albone a local angler.
A quick photograph was taken and sent to Oxford University for identification. Below is the reply:
"Many thanks for forwarding on the photograph of the swimming animal. Although size is difficult to judge from the picture the colour, blunt nose, very short rounded ears and lack of visible tail while in the water do look like that of a water vole (the only other species that would cause confusion may be a bank vole when it swims. However, the water vole is up to three time the body length and noticeably bigger).
In his email Tony says that he can not find any burrows around the lake. The burrows may be difficult to find in some instances - especially when they are all submerged or hidden amongst vegetation. the voles may also build nests within tussocks of sedge or reed and so occupy lake margins without much bank slope."
This elusive mammal has been brought to the edge of extinction as a result of work carried out by man and of course the predation by Mink. Being a ‘red listed’ species we are not allowed to disturb it or its habitat or endanger it in any way, the consequences for doing this would be huge fines (thousands of pounds) and possible imprisonment for the perpetrator!
Want to know more about little Ratty? Then go to the web site of Mammals Trust UK, and see the facts about this dear little chap.
Tony Margiocchi
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