Ratty returns to Northumberland

RATTY has returned to Kielder Forest, in Northumberland, after an absence of 30 years. The Kielder Water Vole Partnership released 325 watervoles on Wednesday, June 14, with a second release planned for August. ‘Watervoles are waterway gardeners—little engin- eers creating a habitat structure for other wildlife to enjoy,’ says Kelly Hollings, who looks after the project for the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. ‘As a mother of three young children, it fills me with such joy that their generation will be able to enjoy spotting [voles] in the region’s rivers.’