Captive-bred Kielder water voles thriving
UK EXPERTS TO SPEAK AT CONSERVATION CONFERENCE
CONSERVATION experts from across the country will gather in Northumberland for a conference on a project which has seen almost 1,000 critically-endangered water voles released in the county.
Around 100 delegates will be at the Restoring Ratty conference is at Hexham Abbey today, including academics, wildlife trusts and wildlife organisations, lecturers, planners and volunteers. There will be a trip to the release area of Kielder Water & Forest Park the following day.
Restoring Ratty – the water vole was Ratty in the classic Wind in the Willows - is a five-year partnership project between Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission and Tyne Rivers Trust and has been supported by a grant of £421,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The aim of the project is to re-establish water voles at Kielder, where they have been absent for 20 years. The conference will take a critical look at past and present water vole conservation initiatives in the UK.
A total of 580 captive-bred water voles were released at Kielder in 2017. Two further water vole releases were carried out in June and August this year.
In June, 160 animals were released in 44 release pens across two sites, in the Bellingburn, north of Kielder reservoir, and in Catcleugh Field close to Kielder campsite.
In August, 245 animals were set free in 68 release pens across three sites at Bellingburn, Deadwater burn and Spout Linn.
This release was supported by Northumbrian Water’s Branch Out Fund and staff from Kielder Water & Forest Park were able to see and handle the animals in their holding pens prior to release.
Gary Storey, general manager of Kielder Waterside, said: “This was a great experience to get involved with, and our staff thoroughly enjoyed seeing this rare animal up close.
“Personally it is the first time I’ve seen a water vole, and the fact visitors to the area have the opportunity to look for these wonderful creatures is fantastic.
“It’s great that we’ve been able to support this project through our Branch Out scheme, which has awarded over £300,000 in funding for projects which benefit the natural environment, wildlife and local communities since 2013.”
The released voles have been bred in captivity from individuals captured from viable populations in the North Pennines and North Yorkshire in 2017 and Scotland.
Voles released last year are thriving, with many travelling up to 12km from their release sites.