Planning your space for Pollinators. Free webinar tomorrow (18th) 1pm-2pm. Whatever size your site is there will always be space for plants which are nectar rich for pollinators. This webinar will identify which plants are they and where should they go: shade, sunny spots, damp ground and hedges etc. Book https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2020-08-18-planning-your-space-pollinators-0

Field voles (Microtus agrestis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus)

Between April and September every year the CBDC receives a large number of records for field and bank voles. There are currently around 600 records per species many for multiple individuals, with the earliest bank vole record dating back to 1887! These species have very similar appearances and it can be difficult to tell them apart, but there are a few tricks to identifying them with the voles having morphological and behavioural differences that can be spotted.

Bank voles are often more visible and active, commonly seen climbing, with a preferred diet of blackberries and hazelnuts. They can be found in variety of habitats such as woodlands, hedgerows and gardens, they are widespread in the UK though absent from many smaller islands. They can be distinguished from field voles by the size of their tail which is 50% of their body size, as well as, their larger eyes and redder fur colouration.

Field voles are difficult to spot as they stay close to the ground moving quickly through small paths, they are found mainly in grassland, heath and moorland. They are found throughout the UK and are one of the most common mammals in the UK. In terms of their difference in appearance to bank voles field voles have a greyer coloration and smaller eyes with their tail only 30% if their body size.

Both of these species are an important prey item for a number of owl species with field voles alone making up 45% of a barn owls diet! They are also great feed for barn owl young. Dissecting owl pellets can be a great way to identify small mammal species in your area, through skull identification, field and bank voles can be distinguished by their teeth.

For more information on barn owl pellet dissection and identifying mammals follow this link; https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Science-Pellets.pdf

Below a comparison of field and bank voles, as well as a photo of some barn owl chicks from a recent record.