The Practised Eye

 characteristically starry paw prints

With a bit of practice you can quickly spot where the voles have been, even if you don't see the animals themselves. Stretches of mud are good for starry prints, and flat rocks and bits of rubbish good places for droppings. Look out too for reeds chewed off at the base, at a 45 degree angle.

And now the first vole at Edgeley Road.

 Otter spraint at Wrenbury.

First Edgeley Road water vole of the year.

First Latrines Appearing!

 White Lion Meadow (Tesco) vole

Burrows at Edgeley Road, with grazing.

Droppings appearing at Edgeley Road.

grey wagtail

April 1st and the Benefits of Pollen

About this time of year, water voles enjoy catkins laden with pollen; I think this is for the protein they offer. This vole at the bottom seems to have a particularly dense and fuzzy coat suggesting it's in good condition and ready for breeding.

Sightings coming slowly

Vernal Equinox

 Finally, frogspawn!

Below: some subtle signs of water vole presence at the Timber Yard.

 Below: lots of burrows at Edward German Drive an unusually long way away from the water course.