Water Vole?

[pilbeam]

I am fairly sure I saw a Water Vole today in the river Wandle near Hackbridge. As I walked past a part of the bank where I would expect to see them in more rural areas I heard the sound of something jumping into the water and saw a small brown animal swimming away. It's some time since I last saw one but can't think what it could have been other than a Water Vole. Does anybody on this site know of any sightings in the Wandle or is it just wishfull thinking on my behalf?

[Wild-Woman]

Does sound like one. Usually a plop sound and a wake as they swim off.

[aeshna5]

I don't know that area very well, but I'm pretty sure I remember something (probably in the London Wildlife Trust magazine) about a re-introduction scheme of Water Voles in this area.

Sounds to me as though you have seen one.

[vole-woman]

I think there was a programme about water voles and the Wandle on tv a couple of years ago.

It might have been a rat you saw, but they're more grey than brown and as wild woman says, they don't make the same plop as they enter the water.

[Dogghound]

As it swam was the animals back above the waters surface or just its head?

[pilbeam]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

As it swam was the animals back above the waters surface or just its head?

Thanks for all your replies. There was a definite "plop" sound which is what drew my attention at first. The animals back was above the surface & was quite a dark brown as I remember (sighting was only 3-4 secs before itdisappeared into reeds). I thought it was possibly a Rat but couldn't see a tail & I'm not sure a Rat would take to water when It could dart away & stay dry?

[Dogghound]

The swimming style matches that of a water vole, rats tend to be more submerged when swimming. Rats will take to the water if threatened.