Press release: Water ‘vole-unteers’ called to survey local riverbanks this spring

Charity calls for help surveying water voles as part of national effort to save Britain’s fastest declining mammal

Wildlife conservation charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for volunteers across England, Scotland and Wales to survey for water voles this spring as part of ongoing national efforts to save this endearing yet endangered species before it’s too late.  

Emily Luck, Water Vole Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species explains: “Water voles hold the unfortunate title of Britain’s fastest declining mammal and are listed as Endangered on the Red List for Britain’s Mammals, reflecting the seriousness of their decline. Since the 1970s populations have plummeted by an alarming 90% because of habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation from non-native American mink.”

“Water voles desperately need our help, but thankfully people in all corners of Britain can do just that by surveying a nearby stream, river, ditch or canal between 15^th April – 15^th June and telling us what they find. The results show how populations are changing, where water voles remain and where they’ve been lost. This is crucial as it allows us to understand how we can help by restoring degraded rivers, improving connectivity between wetlands and controlling invasive American mink.”

Volunteers can choose from over 700 pre-selected riverbank sites, or a new site can be registered if there isn’t a pre-selected option close by. ‘Vole-unteers’ are asked to visit their chosen site in search of water voles or the tell-tale signs that they are present (such as burrows in the riverbank, tic-tac sized droppings, footprints or the characteristic ‘plop’ as they enter the water), and record their findings online (ptes.org/watervoles). Taking part requires no previous experience, and PTES offers free ID guides and online training to get started.

Last year, 113 sites were surveyed across Britain, with water voles found at 47 of them. The counties where most water voles were detected were Essex (six), West Sussex (five) and Bedfordshire (four). Excitingly, volunteers in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Lincolnshire are beginning to record increased water vole activity as the Waterlife Recovery Trust’s American mink eradication efforts take effect. Last year more sites were surveyed in Greater London than ever before too, but more help in all corners of Britain is still needed.

This survey is part of PTES’ ongoing National Water Vole Monitoring Programme which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this spring. Over the past decade over 2,000 sites have been surveyed by hundreds of passionate volunteers, which is a vital contribution to the ongoing knowledge of this species. Data gathered over the past ten years has revealed encouraging signs of localised recovery, with small-scale population increases in areas where targeted conservation efforts – such as American mink control and improved habitat connectivity – is underway. However, these gains are in stark contrast to the clear, steady decline in regions where such efforts have yet to be implemented, so it is crucial that volunteers survey as many sites across England, Scotland and Wales as possible.

PTES is also part of the UK Water Vole Steering Group which, alongside the Wildlife Trusts, Natural England, the Environment Agency and others, is working to guide recovery efforts for Britain’s water voles. PTES, in partnership with Natural England, has commissioned a review on water vole conservation translocations, to understand what works best. This project acknowledges the importance of conservation project areas across the UK which, with the help of dedicated volunteers, seek to ensure the recovery of this much-loved species across its range.

Nida Al-Fulaij, CEO at People’s Trust for Endangered Species said:“Data from the National Water Vole Monitoring Programme not only allows conservationists at PTES and other organisations to prevent further decline, but it also plays a key role in measuring progress towards the government’s legally binding biodiversity targets set out in the Environment Act 2021. We are hopeful that in time, and alongside other organisations and with the help of volunteers, we can together bring water voles back from the brink.”

To become a water ‘vole-unteer’, or to find out more and access free training, visit www.ptes.org/watervoles.

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For high-res images and footage, or to arrange interviews, contact Adela Cragg:

T: 07532 685 614

E: adelacraggPR@outlook.com

Notes to editors

Available for interview

• Emily Luck, Water Vole Officer, People’s Trust for Endangered Species

About People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)

• PTES, a UK conservation charity created in 1977, is ensuring a future for endangered species throughout the world. We protect some of our most threatened wildlife species and habitats, and provide practical conservation support through research, grant-aid, educational programmes, wildlife surveys, publications and public events.
• PTES’ current priority species and habitats include hazel dormice, hedgehogs, water voles, noble chafers, stag beetles, traditional orchards, native woodlands, wood pasture and parkland and hedgerows.
• Visit ptes.org and follow PTES on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Header image credit Melanie Allen