Swimming furry beast

colincurry · #1 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:19 PM

I snapped this today on the River Great Ouse. Not a great picture; it was coming towards me but still quite distant - foliage on the bank stopped me from getting a better picture. In the absence of apparently larger ears, I am hoping this is not a rat but possibly something more exciting. I await more expert views.....

Thanks

Colin

tameblackbirds · #2 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:23 PM

isn't it a water vole

Adam Cheeseman · #3 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:24 PM

It's a Water Vole, well done.

Cheers,

Adam

colincurry · #4 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:32 PM

Thank you very much. It is what I dared to hope; and a first for both the guv'nor and me.

Colin

solus · #5 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:32 PM

Voley!!! Yes, Water Vole. Haven't seen one for years, yet when we first moved to Gloucestershire in 1980 they seemed to be everywhere.

Exciting sighting indeed.

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:32 PM

Nice one- a Water Vole as suggested above- Mr. Ratty!

Tracey.A · #7 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:32 PM

Looks like a Water vole to me too!

Tracey

specimin · #8 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:35 PM

definately a water vole.

Make sure to give this record to your local records centre and mammal group!

coasty · #9 (**permalink**) 13-01-2009, 07:35 PM

its ratty from wind in the willows...its a water vole,,,,

Billy Wobble Dagger · #10 (**permalink**) 14-01-2009, 07:01 AM

Certainly a water vole. The give aways are,

water vole
no visible ears,
blunt nose,
swims with head and back out of water.

Rat
ears stick up and are noticeable,
pointed nose,
swims with only its head showing.

BWD