Water Voles

Water Voles are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and they may be a consideration on development sites where rivers, streams or ditches are present.  Where these features are to be affected by development, for example by culverting or bridge-building, a licensed mitigation strategy may be necessary.  This may involve phased removal of habitat or, in rare cases, an exercise of capture and relocation. Ecology Solutions has experience in the full range of mitigation work for Water Voles, and is able to call on leaders in their field for implementation.

For Water Voles the general recommendation is that one survey visit should be undertaken in the first half of the season (mid-April to the end of June) and one in the second half (July to September inclusive).  In some circumstances, presence / absence can be determined during the first visit.