Not really sure where to post this but i wanted to see how badly the vole population has been affected by the release of the dreaded mink as well as habitat loss. How often do you guys and gals see them out and about?

I know they normally disappear off in an instant but i had this delightful little fella sit and pose for me for a good 5 mins, just wish i had a better camera than my phone with me.



I think this is the first time i have ever seen one, atleast got a good enough look to tell it apart from a rat.

Dan

they are in big decline ,mink love them so much for the bloody do gooders eh

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WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

Who votes we skin the bas****s that released the bloody things?

I often see water voels in the land drainage ditches i sometimes work on and we have work practices as to not damage their habitat also a few weeks back spotted a mink, ian

ive got the knife

__________________
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

Daniel,
we used to see a fair number on "my" bit of the kennet, not seen one for at least 10 years , the owner is trapping mink ,but they keep on coming .the Kennet sadly has not got the organisation that the Monnow valley has , think the Monnow has voles coming back ! May have seen one in the distance a few weeks ago , but my eyesight is not what it was!

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Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!

Not seen a Vole for more years than i care to remember.
My local river(Mole) in Surrey has a fair amount of mink along its banks.The same thing more than likely goes for the river Wey and the Wey Canal where there used to be a fairly good head of Voles.

Have a look at this link here:

Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust - Research & Surveys

We are starting to see a difference.

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"A homeward tramp thro' mist wrapped night,
With heart and creel in common light,
Complete content, the day has brought it,
They fished for pleasure - and they caught it"

P F Morgan
taken from the catch record book at Llanthony Hotel, Honddu Valley, Aug 1942

www.monnowlogue.com
www.monnow.org.uk

The mink have mostly been brought under control and voles have returned in large numbers on the upper Test although what with the sudden introduction of countless otters they may once again be in danger.
Now there's a quandary?
Reg Wyatt

Have they been introduced, or have they just recolonised the river? Besides, I don't really see much of an issue. Otters are native to the UK, have a predominantly fish diet, and have evolved to exist in harmony with other native species, where as mink are an invasive non indigenous species which eat pretty much anything they can sink their teeth into.