Even in the heart of winter, rivers, streams, and ponds are teeming with life – including one of our most endearing and much-loved mammals, the water vole.
Known affectionately to generations as “Ratty” from The Wind in the Willows, water voles are Britain’s largest vole, roughly the size of a guinea pig, with a rounded body, blunt nose, small ears, and a furry tail. Their thick, chocolate-brown fur often appears almost black when wet, and their whiskered faces give them a gentle, inquisitive expression. Unlike rats, which they are often mistaken for, water voles have shorter tails, smaller ears, and a much more compact shape. They are excellent swimmers and can often be seen paddling confidently through the water or perched on the bank nibbling vegetation.
Water voles were once a common sight along riverbanks and wetlands. Sadly, habitat loss and predation by invasive mink caused numbers to plummet. However, thanks to dedicated conservation work, these charismatic creatures are slowly returning to our waterways.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is helping water voles through the Watercress & Winterbournes scheme. This partnership, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, focuses on restoring chalk streams, improving water quality, and managing riverbank vegetation to create safe habitats for water voles and other wildlife. Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining these habitats, monitoring populations, and controlling non-native predators like mink. The scheme doesn’t just benefit water voles – it supports a wide range of species, including fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and birds that rely on healthy, well-managed rivers.
Winter can be a surprisingly good season to spot them – if you know where and how to look. Even though they are less active than in spring or summer, their presence is betrayed by clear signs along the banks. Keep an eye out for neat, nibbled patches of grass with characteristic 45° angled cuts, small burrows tucked into riverbanks, and tiny droppings along the water’s edge. It’s essential to keep dogs away from the water so these sensitive mammals aren’t disturbed.
With leafless trees and shorter vegetation, riverbanks and wetland edges are more visible in winter, making it easier to spot burrows, tracks, and signs of feeding. Quiet walks along streams, ponds, and winterbournes – particularly in early morning or late afternoon – offer the best chance of glimpsing these secretive mammals.
For more information, visit the Trust website: hiwwt.org.uk/watercress-and-winterbournesabout
Photo Credit Terry Whittaker
