Water Vole Pooh?

[slimrbp]

Hi,

I have come back form a Holiday in the Isle of Wight and wondered if you could help with one of the more unusual photos from my holiday snaps

Is this Water Vole pooh or Brown Rat?



Thanks

[Dogghound]

They look like it from this angle.

[valleyforge]

Looks very much like the beginnings of a water vole latrine ... rat droppings are generally deposited less tidily, and over a wider area.

[vole-woman]

Yes I'd say w-v. Although classic vole droppings are rounded at the ends, they actually do sometimes look a bit pointier in the field.

[slimrbp]

Thanks everyone, unfortunately it was the best angle I could get as they were on the other side of the river

I have sent a copy of the photo to the Hampshire Wildlife Trust with details of where it was taken.

[vole-woman]

Brilliant. I believe they are unusually blessed with water voles on the I of W.