Please help - cat after my water voles

[vole-woman]

I've been watching a water vole colony in the middle of town by a busy car park for several years. It's a good place for voles because there are so few predators - the only issue we've had has been with rats, which we can control if they get out of hand.

But just lately a cat's arrived - I don't know where from - and I'm really worried. I'm pretty sure it's what's taken all the mallard ducklings that disappeared over the last week.

I've invested in a water pistol to send it packing when I see it, but I can't be there all the time. So what I was wondering was, has anyone any tips or ideas on how to discourage this cat? Is there anything I can use that won't hurt the voles?

I fear it's only a matter of time before it kills off all the water voles in this stretch, and I'm really upset about it.

[Picidae]

Hi Volewoman

You could try a telephone contact with this company Derek Gow Consultancy | Specialists in Water Vole Conservation l Contact (They specialise in water vole protection). They may be able to advise you on the best course of action and also give an indication of the predator risk from a cat. If the cat is feral, there may be grounds for it's removal/relocation from the site. Or if a stray, it may be possible to take it to a cattery. If it has any ID, contacting the owners and explaining the situation may be worth following up. It may even be worth contacting Parks and Gardens at your local Council offices and see if they can do anything (most local Councils have a pretty good local conservation policy in place now and are getting far more proactive with regard to urban wildlife protection)

Unfortunately, although Water Vole are only just making a comeback from a steep decline due to successful re-introductions, they have no formal conservation status as far as I'm aware which makes it a lot harder to protect them. However, they are protected under the WCA (sched 5)

Hopefully Derek Gow Consultants can advise you. Good luck!

Incidently, not sure how you are controlling rat predation but the use of rat poison has also been pin pointed as a reason for decline of water voles (I'm sure you're aware of that though!)

From DG's web page:
''Poisoning of voles as an accidental subsiduary of legitimate rat control programmes has also been a cause of population loss. This may have been especially acute for urban vole populations.''

loads of info here for anyone else interested:
Derek Gow Consultancy | Specialists in Water Vole Conservation l Water Vole information

[camo]

Hi VW

You are not having the best of luck what with stone throwing louts, cras planning approvals and now a cat. I feel i know you well enough to understand you want practical suggestions and not the cruel suggestions this thread may attract.

I think like Picidae suggests, your solution depends on the type of Cat and its home owner if any. Are there any houses or flats around if so I would knock on a few doors and try to track down owner. Has it got a tag if yes attract it close enough to catch and read the tag. If it is a feral then sadly it needs catching and if the warden can not you may have to borrow a live trap and catch it with some bait. Finding the owner is at least part way but you then need to convince them to keep it in.

Keep up the good work you are making a difference and without your protection they have a lot less of a chance.

I am aware that with your experience you know the conservation status of a Water vole however for other members I quote In April 1998 the water vole was given protection under Schedule 5, Section 9(4) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended 1998). Section 9(4) of this Act makes it an offence to intentionally damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place that water voles use for shelter or protection. It is also an offence to disturb water voles while they are using such a place. The Water Vole is also listed in the species Red Data Book.

Roy

[vole-woman]

Thanks, Picidae, I will ask Derek. The cat looks like a domestic one, but it's not likely to stay while I look at its collar as I've been chasing it away.

(Re rats, yes, I was absolutely paranoid about using poison and initially persuaded the rest of the wildlife group not to go down that route. But then in 2007 the rats took over and drove the voles away - we're talking a LOT of rats, not just the odd one, which you get everywhere; it was a real explosion. I have the help of a professional pest controller who's an expert and well-informed about water voles. He uses Best Practice, bait that voles don't touch, siting it well away from the water and the voles. On two occasions now he's been able to remove the rats but not harm the voles.

You are totally right to point out that accidental poisoning's been a problem for water voles, and I would go VERY carefully, and ALWAYS follow Best Practice if you have to go down that route.)

[vole-woman]

Cheers, Roy, I hadn't thought of leafleting. That's a good idea.

Gosh I hope no one thinks I'm advocating cruelty to cats. I just want it away from my voles.

[camo]

No VW

I know you are not advocating any kind of cruelty but Cats seemed to be the most hated beast on this site and the mearest mention of a cat attracts unwanted comments.

Roy

[vole-woman]

I've emailed Derek Gow, anyway. He's given me advice before.

[vole-woman]

This is what Derek has to say:

This is a real problem. Short of identifying its owner and getting a bell put on it or if its a stray trapping it there is very lttle you can do. It will have a significant impact on the voles as they are highly vulnerable to cat predation. Sorry to be so gloomy

So not good news at all. But OTOH, I haven't seen the cat for two days and there are fresh w-v droppings and prints this morning. I'm hoping the rain's put the cat off and maybe broken the habit. I'll be down every evening I can.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

I'll be down every evening I can.

Gloomy indeed vw.

It's a long shot, but seeing as you go down so frequently, could you borrow a dog for some evening walks for a while (preferably one that you could control off the lead and likes to chase cats!) perhaps you have one yourself. Even the smell/appearance of a regular dog at the site for a few weeks might deter the cat. I've often seen cats in rural and green urban areas hunting but never in an area frequented by dog walkers, such as the local parks, the local canal etc. Typically, I've seen cats hunting along railway embankments and gardens of course and at the local allotment, ie. places where dogs aren't regularly walked. My nearest water vole site is also in an urban area and very accessible - a ditch/narrow stream that has short grass/pavement and a main road running alongside it. Voles are regularly seen on the short grass next to the pavement. However, it's popularly used by dog walkers so cats tend not to hang around there and the opposite bank (where the 'dens' are) is only accessible by crossing a foot of water about 4 ft wide but enough to deter any cats that might venture up that way.

Cats don't like water at all (hence the water pistol eh!!), and as you probably know, water voles apparently are good at moving their young to a safer area if they are disturbed, are there parts of the site that would be a little more inaccessible perhaps? Ie. that would involve a cat getting it's feet wet! That would be my hope.

Fingers crossed the hapless cat found that particular 'hunting ground' unproductive and has moved elsewhere.

[vole-woman]

People do walk their dogs sometimes in that area, so although in the past I've cursed a bit when I've trodden in poo while watching voles, I'll be cheering them on now.

A friend sent me this link which is cat lovers talking about ways to deter cats:CATS: Frequently Asked Questions - BirdForum - I post it here for reference in case it helps others. The only suggstion in the list which I might be able to follow is to plant prickly stuff in the cat's path (I'd probably have to do it at night like those guerilla gardeners!). Any suggestions for likely shrubs gratefully received.