newcountrygirl Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Can anyone give me any advice please. We have two fishing lakes and definately have water voles. However, for the past week or so every time I go into the greenhouse there are fresh piles of earth dug out . Then yesterday I was washing up and looking out of the kitchen window at my bird feeder when I saw something strange. There was a furry body in the nut feeder. I watched it and my first thought was it was a rat. However , looking at rat pictures its face didnt seem so ratty - it was more rounded and a lovely shade of mid brown. I watched it go down the pole of the feeder and climb up part of a leylandii. Then it came down again went up the pole and settled in the feeder. If it is a rat then obviously I want it dead - but not if it is a water vole. Next to the green house running right down the garden is a water drain (dyke) so I suppose it could be either. Whatever has been digging in the greenhouse has also tried to get into the chicken run but hasnt managed it so far because of the mesh skirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 I know locally the wild life trust monitor water voles (http://www.bbowt.org.uk/) they aren't local to you but they may be able to point you at an expert local to you who can come and identify what you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 Thanks Patricia. I know we have water voles but couldnt decide whether the one I saw on the bird feeder was a rat or vole. Doubt whether it would appear on cue for anyone to come and see if you know what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 I don't know much about water voles but an expert may be able to tell from the digging which it is ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 True - i have printed some info of the web and am going to investigate tomorrow (unless the weather is like it has been all day today - absolutely throwing down and very windy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
