Water voles are semi-aquatic mammals that live along watercourses, burrowing into the banks and feeding on sedge and grasses.
They are chestnut to dark brown in colour, with a blunt nose. Water voles are smaller than rats, and are hunted by mink, brown rats and cats.
It is estimated that water voles have disappeared from 95% of their former territories. As of April 2008 water voles are a fully protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
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Survey
work since 2006 has shown that the Whitchurch - Whixall area continues
to be a national hot-spot for water voles.
Survey
work in 2009 has looked at the area around the confluence of the
Whixall Moss main drain and the River Roden from Colemere but with
mixed results. However some good populations were found just over the
border in Wales near Bettisfield. Survey work by Cheshire colleagues has
shown there to be suitable habitat north of Whitchurch but it is not
currently occupied by water voles.
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