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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Get involved // Wildlife surveys // In the countryside // Survey water voles // NWVMP training section // Training links

Training links

Training courses

While water vole field signs are distinctive, there are a number of species that produce similar signs. Reading through these training pages will give an understanding of the different field signs but to be able to accurately identify them in the field some practical experience is highly recommended.

This practical experience can be gained either by attending a training course that involves an outdoor session or by getting in touch with your local Mammal Group or Wildlife Trust and enquiring whether it would be possible to join an experienced monitor when they are conducting a survey.

Training courses:

Many of the Wildlife Trusts run courses on identifying water vole field signs. You can search for a course near you by selecting the date range you are interested in and selecting the category “Courses and Education”.
A number of other organisations run training courses, you can search for any in your local area on Countryside Jobs.

Mentors and shadowing

Once you are signed up to the water vole forum you will be able to ask if anyone in your local area would be able to mentor you/show you how to ID field signs in the field.

Alternatively you can get in touch with your local mammal group and ask if you can join an experienced monitor. A list of the Mammal Groups in England, Scotland and Wales can be found on the Mammal Society’s website.

Download a printable version of these guidelines:

Download guidelines

Training menu:

• An introduction to the NWVMP
• Planning your survey
• Searching for field signs
• Carrying out your survey
• After your survey
• More training links

Feedback – we would really value your feedback on these training pages and also on the monitoring programme. Please email any comments to watervoles@ptes.org.