30th August 2008 - Survey Training Day 

 

A very successful survey training day was held at Tilstock Village Hall on Saturday 30th August 2008. A group of 15 people, ranging from interested amateurs to environmental consultants, came from as far afield as Kidderminster, Manchester, Lichfield and Bishops Castle, together with a number of local volunteers. They spent the morning learning about the animal and its field signs, its legal protection, survey methods and what can be done with the data once collected. The afternoon was spent clambering in and out of ditches in the Steel Heath area where almost all the field signs were seen for real. Thanks to Clive Dean SCC Community and Conservation Officer for making the arrangements, Malcolm and Anne Monie plus Kate Long for leading the training, Rosa Ford for help with the coffee, and to the landowners for access to the ditches.  An excellent buffet lunch was supplied by Tilstock WI and the day was funded by Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Clive Tate Fund.

We were amazed at the demand for the course, receiving 36 applications for the 15 places. As a result, we will running a second survey training day next spring, probably in May.

3rd June 2008

10th May 2008

The survey day in the Steel Heath area on 10th May didn't find any water voles on Steel Heath which has become very wooded. However the afternoon survey found lots of activity all along the brook from the road south of Tilstock to where it goes under the railway near Steel Grange.

6th April 2008

Water voles are now fully protected under the wildlife and Countryside Act 1981


From the 6th April 2008 water voles became subject to increased legal protection and are now fully covered by the provisions of section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). 

Legal protection makes it an offence to: 

• Intentionally kill, injure or take water voles 
• Possess or control live or dead water voles or derivatives 
• Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection 
• Intentionally or recklessly disturb water voles whilst occupying a structure or place used for that purpose 
• Sell water voles or offer or expose for sale or transport for sale 
• Publish or cause to be published any advertisement which conveys the buying or selling of water voles. 

The type of survey work currently being undertaken by groups such as ourselves does not contravene the new regulations and does not require a licence.

Fuller details are available on the Natural England Website .

A water vole slide presentation can be viewed by clicking HERE.  Script and narration by Kate Long.

Neil  and Peter get it lined up for the water voles

The results of the survey show that the water voles are flourishing on the canal and have benefited from the work done on the reserve, especially the fencing of the far bank to prevent it being poached by cattle. Some 15 latrines were found in the 1 km section surveyed which suggests a current population of about 12 water voles.  (Click HERE to view short video)

Preparing the inflatable

Viv Geen and John Powell suveying

Recording the event

Kate measuring distance

Fishermen at Whitwater Fishery  have reported regular sightings of water voles  recently.

8th March 2007

Over 100 people attended the Whitchurch Community Water Vole Project public meeting held in the Whitchurch Civic Centre Bar Lounge.    Attendees had the opportunity view the numerous displays and talk to members of the project team prior to and after the presentations.

 The meeting was chaired by John Hughes, Shropshire Wildlife Trust Development Officer, and a number of presentations followed.

 Kate Long and Rosie Rees described the water vole and stressed the importance of maintaining the Whitchurch population of this endangered species.

 Malcolm Monie, Whitchurch Community Water Vole Project Co-ordinator spoke about the findings from the 2006 surveys  and gave details of some of the  habitat improvements made.

 Viv Geen – Shropshire Wildlife Trust Wildlife Sites and Planning Officer, explained how Whitchurch fits into the national scene.

 Anne Monie encouraged the audience to help with the project by becoming a volunteer.

Philip Walker launched the ‘Living near Water Voles’ leaflet and copies were given to those attending.  The illustrated leaflet is an informative guide which explains how to detect the presence of water voles and how the public can help them to survive.

The meeting ended with a question and answers session.

29th December 2006   Thanks to the prompt action by  N.S.D.C. and Welsh Water the brook is presently clear of debris.  The water vole population in Staggs Brook, adjacent to the White Lion Meadow car park, provided enjoyment for many people during 2006.  Unfortunately vandals appear to have targeted the brook with their mindless actions.  The water vole is an endangered species  and therefore anything we can do to prevent disturbance and damage or obstruction to their habitat is most important. Please visit http://staggsbrook.blogspot.com/ for further detailed information.  Kate invites you to leave comments to her blog entries.

In the afternoon, the Project team were  filmed carrying out some simple habitat management work on private land near the canal.

Rachel (producer), Murray (sound), Gary (camera) and Song (work experience) filming at Whitwater.

This is one of the footprints which Miranda saw - a rear print, showing five toes.

Film crew and Miranda Krestovnikoff (presenter) following Malcolm towards the reed bed.

Miranda admiring the water vole footprints from the tracking raft.

17th June 2006 -  Water vole survey day

 Surveying 2 sections of Staggs Brook: near Edward German Drive and further downstream west of the canal.  1 new volunteer was trained by the group.  Some encouraging signs were found.  Photos of hot volers returning for lunch and 2 volunteers in Staggs Brook.

• The 3-person film crew (producer, researcher and cameraman) spent over two hours filming and gathering information for future programmes

• Public interest in Whitchurch is increasing as members of the Project have been showing water voles to passers-by as they conduct the survey
  

• Posters advertising the survey, explaining about the project and describing water vole habits and habitat have been put up at over 30 locations in Whitchurch, and also in many surrounding villages

• 13 people in photo joined by 2 more in the afternoon
• Surveying along Staggs Brook from the station upstream as far as Blakemere
• Results were encouraging along several stretches, but there is evidence of mink at Blakemere, with a consequent lack of water voles.
• 5 of the volunteers were trained by more experienced members of the Project
   

Survey Team