Endangered ‘Ratty’ comes out to play
The cold, wet start to the summer has not affected the spirits of one wetland mammal as water voles are showing off in front of visitors to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Welney.
The unforgettable emblem of an idyllic British summer is the unmistakable ‘plop’ of a vole diving into water. This is the third year visitors have been able to get so close to these brilliant creatures at WWT Welney Wetland Centre. In a pond and reedbed system which were only created seven years ago.
Since the 1970’s, Water voles in the UK underwent one of the most dramatic declines seen in a mammal species. This was in largely due to habitat destruction and predation. Recent indications of a comeback symbolise our national love of wildlife and a need to protect vulnerable species.
The water voles at WWT Welney Wetland centre can often be seen collecting new shoots of reed, grass and pond weed from the water’s edge to then sit on their feeding platforms munching away quite happily.
Samantha Lee, Public Engagement Officer for WWT Welney Wetland Centre, says:
‘It is amazing to think that these wetland mammals have made their home on a recreated wetland. This shows how important ponds are for encouraging wildlife back from the brink’
‘So often you go out to survey for these animals and are happy just to see signs that they are in the area, which is usually poo! So it is brilliant to actually get the opportunity to see them’
‘It is virtually guaranteed water vole sightings; you don’t have to wait long at all to see these marvellous little characters’.
Visitors can see the water voles on the centre’s pond any time of day or WWT Welney Wetland Centre will be running water voles walks in June to show visitors how to spot the signs that water voles are present before seeing the little guys in person. Click here for more information. The visitor centre and reserve are open daily 9.30am – 5pm.
