Search the web site

The Water Vole

The water vole is an endangered species in the United Kingdom, and we are fortunate that the park supports a small but hopefully growing population. In the last 18 months or so we have launched some concerted actions to support these delightful but rare animals. More about what is being done to protect the water vole in Cheshire is available in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

We used to see water voles regularly in several parts of the park or hear the plop as they slid into the water, but sightings have gone down for some time. Richard Castell (of Apus Wildlife Services) has helped us to monitor its current status in the park. On the other hand, a working party enjoying a coffee break near Bachelors Brook in early 2004 had a good sighting of a mink climbing over the sluice and swimming up the brook.

In May and June 2004 two students from Chester College, Kate and Stacey, used a six-week placement to find out whether mink had driven out the water voles from Caldy Nature Park. Having considered their report the committee committed to a project undertaken with the Environment Agency.

News   Events   Features   About us   Home page   Links   Mail   Guestbook