The water vole, more endearingly
known as "Ratty" in The Wind in the Willows was
once common throughout Herefordshire's rivers. These creatures
are small brown fury animals that feed on vegetation along
streams. Sadly, the chances of seeing a water vole on Herefordshire's
rivers is diminishing daily.
There has been a catastrophic decline in the numbers of
water voles, with a 87% loss of occupied sites since 1990.
The causes of this decline are many and varied, including
increasing pressure on riverside land and disturbance.
However, a significant factor has been the introduction
of American mink, for fur farming in the 1950's. Mink are
lethal predators; one nursing female mink can eradicate
a whole water vole colony over several months. The loss
of water voles is unprecedented and we must act now or
risk the extinction of this wonderful creature.
The Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership in conjunction
with Herefordshire Action for Mammals are appealing for
volunteers to survey brooks in the county. Volunteers will
be fully trained in water vole ecology and all that is
asked is for a minimum of one days survey work. When a
colony is located the project in partnership with the Environment
Agency and FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group)
will conduct management work to safeguard the population.
So, if you want to increase your knowledge and to make
a difference to wildlife then contact us.
We want to hear from anyone interested
in Veteran trees or ancient trees which not only form part
of our landscape, but part of our history and culture.
They have a high wildlife value creating habitat niches
and are often covered in lichens and fungi. With age they
form rot holes and hollow trucks which provide homes for
bats and owls. From the famous Much Markel Yew or the old
men of Moccas, their statures are striking and much loved.
These trees are not dying and are far from being senile,
but they do need our support to continue giving a mark
of history to our landscape. If you have a favourite veteran
tree or want to be part of saving some of these old timers
then please contact
us.
