I would think that one of the reasons the voles do so we’ll on the brook is, other than rats, an absence of natural predators. Owls and other birds of prey would be put off by the bustle of the supermarket; foxes and cats may not like the steep banks and I’m sure there’s no mink or pike.
It’s probably against nature, and also not necessary if the site was more sympathetically treated, but is there ever any call for landscaping and introducing some extra cover and food for the creatures in places like these?
I'm sure the relative lack of predators is a crucial part of this colony's past success. The main problem the voles have to contend with here - aside from human stupidity - is flash flooding. Not an issue for the adults, but certainly a cause of infant mortality.
I've been trying to contact Derek Gow about sympathetic planting. I'll perhaps try him again today.
But will they hang around when the cut vegetation dies off? These are animals so vulnerable to predation they need every scrap of cover going...
I would think that one of the reasons the voles do so we’ll on the brook is, other than rats, an absence of natural predators. Owls and other birds of prey would be put off by the bustle of the supermarket; foxes and cats may not like the steep banks and I’m sure there’s no mink or pike.
ReplyDeleteIt’s probably against nature, and also not necessary if the site was more sympathetically treated, but is there ever any call for landscaping and introducing some extra cover and food for the creatures in places like these?
I'm sure the relative lack of predators is a crucial part of this colony's past success. The main problem the voles have to contend with here - aside from human stupidity - is flash flooding. Not an issue for the adults, but certainly a cause of infant mortality.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to contact Derek Gow about sympathetic planting. I'll perhaps try him again today.