Water voles

[Malcolm Corps]

Could anyone tell me a good sight to observe water voles in the Cleveland N Yorks area. Thanks Malcolm

[Ian Bond]

Your best bet these days, at least for publically accessible sites, is probably one of the becks that run through Middlesbrough such as Marton West Beck.  Kenny Crooks at Tees Valley Wildlife Trust would be the best person to ask as to exactly where on the becks.

Saltholme still has them but they appear to have all but gone from Hartlepool now; I only know of one site were there is still a population in the borough though sightings of individual voles turn up from time to time elsewhere.

Ian

[Malcolm Corps]

IAN, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE I WILL LET YOU KNOW IF I SEE ANYTHING WHEN I CAN FIND TIME TO GO. THERE IS A BECK AT THE BACK OF WHERE I LIVE IN AISKEW , NR BEDALE AND IT USED TO BE OVERUN WITH THEM WHEN I WERE A LAD!! THE FARMER SAYS HE HAS TRAPPED 3 MINK IN RECENT WEEKS WHICH SAYS IT ALL REALLY. THANKS AGAIN FOR INFO, REGARDS MALCOLM

[SteveClifton]

Malcolm, I assume you are not aware that there was a fairly recent re-introduction attempt at Foxglove Covert LNR at Catterick.

Have a look at the following link. They have certainly been seen recently, though I don't know how regularly or how easy they are to see:

http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/flowers-and-voles/

cheers

Steve

[Whitfield Benson]

On the subject of Water Voles, Foxglove Covert at Catterick Garrison is good for them. And the wardens will help you with where to find them. Recently the scrape area has been good, with regular sightings near the first sink platform.

Whitfield