Water voles at Rainham Marshes

[Hoppingmad]

I visited the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes today and was told that there was a good chance of seeing water voles. There are around 6,000 on the site which is about 1% of the population of the UK - so I was told.

Quite excited about this a I particularly love mammals but did not see one, despite being quite patient and sitting by the pools where I was told they were likely to be seen. I arrived at 12.30 pm and left at around 5 pm disapointed.

Has anyone got any ideas - was I just unlucky or was this the wrong time of day? Would first thing in the morning be better? Any suggestions or advice welcome as I actually enjoyed the visit and would like to go again anyway. Saw a marsh harrier and little egrets so not a wasted trip by any means.

[david156]

I would try early in the morning before there is too much disturbance. By 12.30 this afternoon there would probably have been lots of visitors already. Just keep trying, you'll see them eventually. I've got them on the farm where I live but never seen them in the evening - just heard the plops in the water. Must take my own advice and try in the mornings

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Hoppingmad

I visited the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes today and was told that there was a good chance of seeing water voles. There are around 6,000 on the site which is about 1% of the population of the UK - so I was told.

Quite excited about this a I particularly love mammals but did not see one, despite being quite patient and sitting by the pools where I was told they were likely to be seen. I arrived at 12.30 pm and left at around 5 pm disapointed.

Has anyone got any ideas - was I just unlucky or was this the wrong time of day? Would first thing in the morning be better? Any suggestions or advice welcome as I actually enjoyed the visit and would like to go again anyway. Saw a marsh harrier and little egrets so not a wasted trip by any means.

It took me 2 years to see them visiting once every few months! They used to have a feeding platform there and I saw them everytime I went for a while, but haven't seen them there properly for a year or so, since the platform went (though I saw them away from the platform anyway).

In theory early morning is best, but I don't think the reserve is open till 9am, so short of becoming a volunteer and getting a key, its a case of keep trying (at 9am!) until you get lucky. Dave (pressld2) got them in the middle of the day a while back so its possible!

[Hoppingmad]

Thanks to both for the advice. Will try to get there when reserve opens next time. At least it is only a 30 minute drive from where I live.

[vole-woman]

Are you allowed to 'accidentally' drop a bit of apple onto the bank?

Despite the look of my blog, I've spent hundreds of hours chasing no-show voles, so I do sympathise. Stationing yourself near a latrine is probably a good bet, if you can spot one.

[J-P]

Ive seen them there a fair few times, its my local reserve, ive even seen a heron take one fly off with it and eat it! week day mornings id say are best a nice warm one and you will find them nibbling on soft rush either at the train track board walk or over the back by the rainges board walk ..

[Hoppingmad]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

Are you allowed to 'accidentally' drop a bit of apple onto the bank?

Despite the look of my blog, I've spent hundreds of hours chasing no-show voles, so I do sympathise. Stationing yourself near a latrine is probably a good bet, if you can spot one.

Well, not sure if it is allowed but might try it!

[Hoppingmad]

Originally Posted by J-P

Ive seen them there a fair few times, its my local reserve, ive even seen a heron take one fly off with it and eat it! week day mornings id say are best a nice warm one and you will find them nibbling on soft rush either at the train track board walk or over the back by the rainges board walk ..

Thanks for that - at least I will know where to head for. Looking forward to trying again.