Hi
Buckle up this is going to be along one, I am back on my patch and have been checking on my colonies. Not as exciting as Shirl's Cromford but hopefully some snippets.
Over the course of yesterday and today I have been able to check 7 of last years colonies, in each case I did a quick survey on the general area and a closer finger tip search on my known hot spots.
Site 1, a stretch of reeds on the main River Ivel, last year this was very active when I found it later in year. Three weeks ago I had a solutary footprint but yesterday whilst checking with Hedge Witch and Mungo I found nothing except a fairly definite Mink Scat. Not good news but I am still hopeful that this will reveal WV late rin year.
Site 2, a feeder straem running parallel to river and heavily reeded. No latrines however some minimal feeding signs which I am sure are WV. Clean cut reed blades of sufficient size to eliminate other Voles and cut in localised areas over known runs. Again without getting excited I think this site will improve during year.
Site 3, a well known reserve that focuses on WV with a stream entering the River. I saw 2 Water Voles during the Christmas holiday however I could not find any signs today. The Mink Raft had some definite Mink footprints but it was the lid was screwed down so couldn't take a great picture. the picture attached has been taken looking into the tunnel. There was a definite Otter spraint on top of the raft also shown complete with a Vole Woman penny.
Site 4, a small stream between a busy road and a market gardener, this was another new site last year and despite giving advice as to how to maintain the ditch had been cleared of a lot of its undergrowth. No signs spotted although the Water Voles may have moved up stream where there is more vegetation.
Site 5, a most unattractive stream at the rear of a travellers caravan park, the stream is strewn with rubbisch including a number of gas cylinders. Brilliant this was a good site last year and promises to be even better this year without concentrating I found footrpints, about 15-20 latrines of various sizes and strong feeding signs. The existing runs are still evident and although the stream is not fenced and there are horses grazing in the field the 150yd stretch has good reed cover which is largely undisturbed. Next to a footpath I have only seen one person walking on the path. Although this site is in a sensitive position i will concentrate my efforts on photographing Water Voles here.
Footprints
Feeding signs
Latrines
Site 6, a tiny stream parallel to River and at risk of drying, this stream is fed by a leak in the river bank which I am aware the rivers authority is keen to repair. A tiny stretch of reeds holds a small colony. today I found small evidence of feeding and the established runs were undisturbed. I chose not to disturb however I am confident there are still WV evident.
Site 7, a small stream parallel to river and behind a recently opened small commercial fishery. This is one of my favourite sites as it was the first new site I found, last year lots of activity but today after the increased disturbance of the recently opened fishery nothing! The openness of the site suggests to me that I would have found something but not a button. I suspect this colony of at least three breeding females has moved and I will try to find them in the near future.
From what I can see our habitats vary enourmously and although I have only been tracking mine for 18 months mine are forever moving. We think the original metapopulation is at site 3 but I wonder now if site 5 has taken over as the dominant colony. does anyone know if in a metapopulation the leading colony can change. For purposes of scale today I parked at site 3 and walked to sites 4-7, site 1 and 2 are about three miles away. I have some other colonies in another part of Bedfordshire which I will check on this week.
PS I will start a new thread on Otters as I keep straying from Water Voles to Otters but as Mink are the WV's main predator i will continue to discuss Mink here hope thats ok.
Roy