Feeding Stations - Can Be Subtle

 

You have to look carefully for some feeding signs.

More Latrines Appearing

 

burrow

burrow containing feeding

trampled droppings = a latrine, marking territory

Feeding - Prickles Cause No Problem

 

hard-to-spot latrine

It was impressive the way this vole demolished a thistle, apparently unbothered by the sharp prickly leaves. This is all that was left after the vole felled the tall plant, leaving the characteristic 45 degree cuts at the end.

More Field Signs

Comma butterfly

droppings and feeding

glow worm and Painted Lady

Red Admiral

part-leucistic robin

 

A Tentative Start

 

Voles at the wood yard and at White Lion Meadow

water vole latrine and feeding

brimstone butterfly

green tiger beetle

common lizard

green hairstreak butterfly

So What About the Voles?

The Staggsbrook at Edgeley Road has only recently subsided to its usual course. Up till now, it's been flooded. However, below are the water vole field signs that are beginning to appear.

prints

feeding station

Below, two photos of droppings.

Below, a single dropping at the Wood Yard behind Tesco, plus a print.

Orange Tip butterfly

Meadow Pipit above, and below, a male Stonechat.

Male reed bunting above and fledgeling thrush below.

Male linnet

A combination of building work at White Lion Meadow (Tesco car park), and horrendous rainfall, seems to have impacted on water vole appearances. But there are now the beginnings of signs on three sites, and I will continue to monitor those places and report any sightings.