Glasgow Fossorial Water Vole Translocation

Gavia’s Ecology Team are hard at work!

Water voles Arvicola amphibius are of the UK’s most threatened native mammals, they are afforded partial protection through their listing on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). In Scotland, the legal protection associated with this listing is currently restricted to the water vole’s places of shelter or protection and does not extend to the animals themselves. However, full protection covering the animals themselves is proposed.

At present it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly: –

• Damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place which water voles use for shelter or protection, and;
• Disturb water voles while they are using such a place

With respect to development-related activities, licences can be issued where there is likely to be damage to a water vole burrow, or disturbance to a water vole within its burrow, for social, economic or environmental reasons. Licences may only be issued for this purpose provided that:

• the activity authorised by the licence will contribute to significant social, economic or environmental benefit; and,
• there is no other satisfactory solution.

Over the last couple of weeks, Gavia’s Ecology Team have been hard at work trapping ‘grassland’, also known as fossorial, water voles at a site in north east Glasgow.  The work is being undertaken as part of a wider development project and the grassland water voles are being relocated to a new home, not far from their current burrows, under a site specific development licence. Trapping is being undertaken by our team of experienced Ecologists within the optimal trapping period of 1st March to 15th April.  Signs of success are already good with the water vole taking well and burrowing in quickly into their new home.