Edgeley Road vole
Very established latrine, probably belonging to the vole above
The floating bog moss at Wybunbury where CWT held a survey today. There are sundew on this bit, apparently, but it wasn't safe to go near as the ground is so unstable. Stick to the paths, says the ranger.
We found no evidence of water vole, but plenty of field vole feeding stations like this one.
Tip from Cheshire Wildlife Trust: if you find an interesting field sign, mark it by tying a piece of grass round the fence.
My first ever UK snake. Helen Trotman lifted a refugium and there were two grass snakes underneath.
And lastly, my voles in a book! Whitchurch's very own water voles get their own chapter in this gorgeous series of interviews with people who are passionate about one particular species. So engagingly written and uplifting, a real corker of a read and the perfect gift for any nature-lover. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Beauty-Beast-Favourite-Creatures/dp/0857203959/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338318059&sr=8-1 and listen to me rave about voles on Hugh's podcast here: http://www.urchin.info/podcasts/
The books looks very interesting! There are water voles in the Peak District but so far I have been unsuccesful in seeing any. We get grass snakes in the garden. One year they ate the great crested new babies from the pond - I know this because I saw it!
ReplyDeleteBattle of the protected species! You're so lucky with your snakes (and your newts). Plenty of w-vs in Derbyshire, so it might be worth asking the Wildlife Trust where your nearest colony hangs out.
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