Water vole survey report and field signs course

Cliff Carson, Environmental Officer, Middle Level Commissioners
85 Whittlesey Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 0AH
Office 01354 602965 Mobile 07765 597775
Email   cliff.carson@middlelevel.gov.uk
Web   www.middlelevel.gov.uk

Press release on a Wildlife Trust water vole survey report. To view the REPORT only, please click here

The Report highlights the valuable contribution that Internal Drainage Board  drain maintenance makes in providing the conditions that allow water voles to thrive as well as ensuring there is connectivity to allow them to move around the districts.
 
If you are in a position to publicise the report via a web site, blog or Twitter it would be very welcome.
 
Also attached are details of a training event on water vole and otter field signs. This annual course has proved very popular in past years. It is targeted towards local drainage board members, staff and volunteers who have previously been circulated with the information. The course is limited to 25 participants but there are still a few places available for those that are able to take up the opportunity at very short notice.
 

Water vole and otter field signs identification course.

Water voles and otters are present on virtually all of the waterways in the Middle Level. Catching a glimpse of them is still very much a matter of luck but you can improve your knowledge of these species by learning the field signs to look for that confirm where they have been.
 
There is another chance to attend an annual MLC training event that will help to identify the field signs of these waterside animals and also distinguish them from the similar signs of other species such as rats and American mink. If the opportunity occurs, signs of other species will be included such as kingfisher (calls, whitewash and pellets) and badger (latrines, runs, feeding signs).
 
The course is in two parts, a Thursday evening meeting followed by a Saturday morning field trip. The evening presentation will look at images of tracks, trails, feeding signs, burrows, droppings, spraints, scats and other signs. It will be held on Thursday 21st April 2016 from 7pm to 8:30pm in the boardroom of the Middle Level Commissioners offices at 85 Whittlesey Road, March PE15 0AH.
 
The following Saturday morning on 23rd April 2016 there will be a field trip from 10am to about 12:15 to view signs of both water vole and otter at various locations. We will meet at the MLC office car park and travel to the sites in as few cars as possible.
 
It is not necessary to attend both training days but the best insight will be gained if you can come to both events.  There is no charge for this training. If you are interested in expanding your experience there will be opportunities to volunteer to assist with water vole surveys at local Drainage Board Districts and help with otter spraint surveys.
 
This training is open to anyone so please pass on this invitation if you know of someone with an interest in wildlife in the Middle Level area.
 
Booking is essential as places are limited to 25.  Please contact Deb Watts or myself to book your place, indicating which dates you will be attending. If you are able to offer spare seats in your car to other course attendees on the Saturday morning field trip it would be helpful if you could indicate how many spaces you could offer. As we will be going up and down banks and looking at sites close to water wellington boots are advisable and a walking stick or staff will be useful. Binoculars will also be essential.