Water voles squeaking

[vole-woman]

I've only ever heard water voles vocalise during a fight, but I witnessed this juvenile being squeaked at repeatedly by an adult just now - I think it was warning the little vole to get away from some apple I'd put down. It was a really high pitched piping sound, almost like a bird. Has anyone else heard water voles talk? Do they have a range of noises?

[Dogghound]

I usually hear them chomping . Ive not heard water vole but have heard field vole and bank vole making a noise. I think water voles can let out an alarm call which is a rasping sound.

[vole-woman]

They are incredibly noisy eaters!

[Dogghound]

Haha they are its a wonder any of them are left alive every predator around must hear them. Nice photo by the way.

[vole-woman]

That little vole was right in front of my toes. That's the other thing: they're so short-sighted. Short-sighted and noisy, a fatal combination.

[STYRBJORN]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

That little vole was right in front of my toes. That's the other thing: they're so short-sighted. Short-sighted and noisy, a fatal combination.

Like politicians then

Ric

[turkeyneck]

I agree vole-woman, they do sound bird like, I manage to hear them but seldom see them, probably need new glasses
A good link for the sound (during courtship) is here-

BBC - Wildlife Finder - European water vole (video, facts and news)

Lee

[vole-woman]

V good, Ric!

Lee, that's a great link and yes that's just how the big vole sounded, though it wasn't a mating situation.

[Gill Catton]

was the baby very young? I was wondering if this was an adult perhaps starting to get a bit fed up of having babies under their feet and beginning to encourage youngsters to move off and find territories of their own?

[vole-woman]

It was more of a juvenile than a baby. Still fuzzy, but bigger than the baby I've been seeing.

For a moment the little one did come forward as if in greeting, but then it backed off. So it could have been the mum saying 'Move on, I've done my share.'