What noises do water vole's make ?

[BarryJ]

Hi all
I just wondered if anyone new what sort of noises Water Voles make ?
I mean vocalizations and not the usual " Plop".
Cheers

[shirl]

Hi

I haven't heard anything from the water voles except when they are chewing vegetation which sounds like a chomping type noise. You have to listen very carefully though, but even in very lush reedbeds it can give you a clue as to where they are.

Shirl

[thunder]

They make squeaks - or, as the Handbook so clearly describes it "When threatened, or in agonistic encounters, Water Voles voice arhythmic calls lasting about 0.1 seconds at between 2.5 and 4.4 kHz"

henrya

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

I agree with Shirl there is plenty of chomping to be heard when they are eating. I know when they are agitated they squeak a lot. I also know when they bite peoples fingers, the people do more than squeak

Any reason for the question?

BWD

[Chas_Moonie]

One was at my feet today whilst trying to photograph a pallid harrier. I couldnt see it so I recorded its squeaking on my mobile and played it back to it! That shut it up

ps

If anyone knows how to put sound files on here I will upload it

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Chas_Moonie

One was at my feet today whilst trying to photograph a pallid harrier. I couldnt see it so I recorded its squeaking on my mobile and played it back to it! That shut it up

ps

If anyone knows how to put sound files on here I will upload it

What camera was the little vole using?

henrya

[Dogghound]

I have heard them making a grating/rasping call, which I believe is in response to predators.

[vole-woman]

Brilliant, Chas!

I've heard an adult challenge a juvenile by making a series of tiny piping cheeps - so faint I'd hardly call them squeaks - like a bird.

[Chas_Moonie]

The water vole sound I recorded is on my web site as a soundtrack

http://chasmoonie.zenfolio.com/p920767459/slideshow



http://chasmoonie.zenfolio.com/

[vole-woman]

Wow, that's a great set of photos and a useful recording.