Water Vole Ecology and Field Signs Training – Thursday 23rd May 2024

This course will cover water vole ecology, lifecycle, habitat, survey techniques, and the identification of field signs.

No prior knowledge necessary. The course is suitable for anyone with a professional or personal interest in this species, and is designed to guide you towards taking part in our National Water Vole Monitoring Programme (NWVMP).

Water voles are fully protected by law, but they can be elusive and difficult to detect. It is important that NWVMP volunteers, conservationists, and ecologists know how to survey for them and other riverbank species.

By the end of the training, you will be able to:

• Identify water vole, otter and American mink field signs
• Understand water vole ecology, conservation and legislation
• Conduct a water vole survey, and optimise chances of detecting water voles during surveys
• Assess habitat suitability for water voles and explain suitable habitat management techniques

 The species identification element of the course will cover a range of water vole field signs (e.g. droppings, feeding signs, burrows) in great detail and it will compare them to other easily-confused species.

Date: Thursday 23rd May

Time: 2pm to 3:30pm

Cost: Free

Venue: Online (Zoom)

Your tutor: Emily Sabin BSc (Hons) MRSB

Emily is the Water Vole Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species. She co-ordinates the NWVMP, and advises on water vole policy, research and strategy with NGOs and government agencies. She is also an experienced ecological consultant and has been undertaking water vole surveys for almost 10 years.