It's the one-eyed vole and (I think) one of her offspring. Turn up the speakers to hear the squeaks.
3 comments:
WendyB
said...
Brilliant videos - and I love the squeaks!! I saw my first water vole in this area last May - I noticed the holes first, then sat and waited for the voles - it was about third time lucky. Anyway it was two or three faint squeaks that I noticed first - before "voley" emerged from under some overhanging brambles, swimming along by the far bank... a great moment!
Yes, and it felt unusual/unexpected to hear that - I've not heard it since. The vole even did a couple more, like muffled teddy bear squeaks, when swimming, and there was no sign of any confrontation with another vole or other wildlife on the ditch! I have actually heard teeth gnashing too, when Alpha at the near end of the ditch decided it was time to see off 3 ducks, and resurfaced amongst them, very close to where I was sitting..!
This blog charts the fortunes of water voles in and around the Whitchurch area, North Shropshire. Water voles are one of the UK's most threatened mammals, extinct in many counties, and so it's vital they receive as much monitoring and protection as there is going. Here in Whitchurch we're lucky enough to have them right in the middle of town - how cool is that?
3 comments:
Brilliant videos - and I love the squeaks!! I saw my first water vole in this area last May - I noticed the holes first, then sat and waited for the voles - it was about third time lucky. Anyway it was two or three faint squeaks that I noticed first - before "voley" emerged from under some overhanging brambles, swimming along by the far bank... a great moment!
It's magic watching them, isn't it? You're lucky to have heard them vocalise.
Yes, and it felt unusual/unexpected to hear that - I've not heard it since. The vole even did a couple more, like muffled teddy bear squeaks, when swimming, and there was no sign of any confrontation with another vole or other wildlife on the ditch! I have actually heard teeth gnashing too, when Alpha at the near end of the ditch decided it was time to see off 3 ducks, and resurfaced amongst them, very close to where I was sitting..!
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