Monday, 6 June 2011

The water voles of Radley Brook

A small stream in North East Abingdon, Radley Brook has featured several times in this blog. Unfortunately, due to this proximity to the Thames, it is ideal hunting territory for mink, who have been seen this year in the nearby lagoon,  making it probably the most fragile water vole colony in Abingdon.  
The thick and tall sedge can make it virtually impossible to see if the water voles are still hanging on or if the colony is now extinct.
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A good way to see if they are still present is to throw down a small apple core and see if any thing takes it.... after a month of waiting a water vole finally appears and it seems to be a juvenile, so not only are the water voles still present, but they are breeding.
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Watching water voles whilst listening to the nearby warblers and the occasional cuckoo, make it one of the best places to spend a lunch break in Abingdon.
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5 comments:

  1. Anne McCormack6 June 2011 at 12:12

    This little guy makes a great companion at lunch! Love the photos1

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  2. Mike B. @ slugyard.com6 June 2011 at 21:10

    Love your test!

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  3. Kate29 June 2011 at 03:33

    Always a bit special when you see a baby vole.

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  4. Anonymous29 June 2011 at 08:01

    They have been checking here with a Mink raft, and the last update I got no evidence of mink has been found.

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  5. Richard30 June 2011 at 13:05

    Hi Anonymous,

    Thank you for your comment, it's good news that there are mink rafts in the area.
    I've seen mink on the Thames footpath last year and one in March this year at the nearby lagoon.
    Fortunately from your comment and the water voles it seems neither has set up residence in the area.

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