back
to water volesAction for Water Voles in the Lee
Valley
Regional Park
It’s
official - Water Voles are cute! A combination of dark brown fur, flattened
faces and bright eyes maintains their place at the top of the wildlife popularity
league.
They are also traditionally associated with some of our favourite landscapes
such as lowland rivers and lakes. Once widespread and thus well-known, Water
Voles are currently suffering one of the fastest declines of a single species
ever known in Britain.
Between 1989 and 1996 the number of sites containing Water Voles in Hertfordshire
fell by over 70%. Research has suggested that the decline of the Water Vole
may be the result of a number of factors or a combination of factors.
Fragmentation and isolation of populations and their wetland habitats is a
major cause of concern. Reduction of habitats makes Water Voles more susceptible
to predation.
It is now accepted that American Mink predate Water Voles and may even cause
local extinctions. Disturbance of waterway habitats, reduced water flow and
deterioration in water quality may also be contributing to their plight. Non-specific
poisons placed for rats may be taken by Water Voles.
The abundance of wetland habitats
in the Lee Valley has historically supported many Water Voles. However, given
the national decline, local conservationists felt that action should be taken
to ensure the long-term conservation of the species.
To this end a Water Vole action plan was included within the Biodiversity
Action Plan for the Lee Valley. The objectives of the Plan are to:-
- maintain the current distribution
and abundance of
Water Voles - Facilitate recolonisation of
sites which formerly held Water Voles through enhancement of existing habitat
and populations.
The
Action Plan is being implemented by a partnership including English Nature,
Lower Lea Project, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, British Waterways,
and the Lee Valley Regional Park, co-ordinated by the Environment Agency.
The first target is to find out the current distribution of Water Voles in
the Lee Valley. This is to be achieved in 2001 through a dedicated survey
by the London Water Vole Project Officer, a post part funded by the Environment
Agency, Lee Valley Regional Park and British Waterways. When the survey is
complete work can be prioritised to conserve existing populations and then
link populations together through habitat enhancement and creation.
By ‘joining the dots’ like this, it is hoped to provide a continuous corridor
of habitat throughout the Valley where Water Voles can thrive, symbolising
(in their own cute way) a healthy environment for us all.
If you would like to become
involved in the conservation of the Water Vole in the Lee Valley, please contact
Tim Hill, Nature Conservation Officer with the Lee Valley Regional Park on
01992 709973 or email thill@leevalleypark.org.uk.