Water voles inhabit burrows along the banks of water courses. The national water vole population has declined significantly over the last century and they are now afforded protection in the UK under schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).

It is illegal to kill, injure or capture a water vole, or intentionally or recklessly disturb, obstruct, damage, destruct a burrow. Water voles are mainly found around slow flowing river and streams. They live in colonies spread along water courses. They have a preference for sites with a wide swathe of riparian habitat.

Phlorum can provide water vole surveys and provide expert advice for developments where there is a concern about impacting upon water voles. We can devise appropriate mitigation strategies where required. Water vole surveys may be conducted between March and September. Although this species is active all year round, water voles are markedly less active during the winter.

Contact our team of protected species experts to learn more about our water vole surveys and for your free no obligation consultation for anywhere in the UK.