Wildlife survey reveals previously undiscovered upland water vole populations

As part of National Mammal Week (20 – 26 April) Yorkshire Water is pleased to announce the discovery of water voles at sites across the Peak District and South Pennines.  It is an encouraging sign for the ongoing work to conserve this 'Red List' critically endangered mammal, now considered absent from many parts of Yorkshire and the wider UK.

The water vole is a native rodent which inhabits rivers and wetlands and plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Previously widespread in the UK, water vole numbers have crashed by over 90% due to loss of habitat and predation by the American mink - a non-native species released in large numbers from fur farms in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The invasive mink has devastated water voles, birds and other wildlife along British waterways. 

Recent survey work by project partners - including ecologists from Yorkshire Water, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and River Holme Connections, and university researchers from Sheffield, Manchester & Stirling - has found evidence that water voles exist more widely in the Yorkshire uplands than previously thought.

Sean Davey, lead ecologist at Yorkshire Water, said:  “We knew there were still water voles at one of our South Yorkshire reservoirs, but the recent surveys have found them in many more streams in the moorland catchments of the River Don and Holme.

“We are continuing surveys across Yorkshire to understand exactly where water vole populations persist. We’ll also be working closely with partners studying upland vole populations to understand more about their ecology – and crucially, how targeted measures like habitat enhancement, invasive predator control and captive breeding can support species’ recovery.”

Luke Nelson, Species Officer at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, added:  "As well as recording new water vole sites in the uplands, we’ve been improving habitats by creating new pools and slowing the flow of water on upland streams. Surveys have shown that the water voles are quickly colonising these new habitats, hopefully leading to more resilient and better-connected populations."

Yorkshire Water is also working with Waterlife Recovery Trust, a charity set up to humanely remove mink from the British countryside and allow the natural recovery of native species.  The charity has already successfully eradicated mink from several counties with the support of partners and conservation volunteers. Yorkshire Water is funding Waterlife Recovery Trust to expand their work and cover parts of the Yorkshire region aiming to eradicate mink within 5 years.  In turn, this will create a safe environment and habitat for the endangered native water vole to thrive once again.