A Salisbury-to-Ringwood water vole colony recently grew by 50 males and females


The most suitable singles from Salisbury have been sent to an exotic destination where they will meet 50 possible life partners in the hopes that romance would blossom.

However, this is more like to “Vole Island” than “Love Island.” And for the past five months, 12 Salisbury water voles have been residing on a farm in Ringwood rather than a sunny location in Spain.

Before the Salisbury River Park flood defence and restoration project got underway, they made the move from the city to the countryside. Now that everyone has met 50 fresh bachelors and bachelorettes who were born in captivity, everyone is hoping to discover true love.

In the past, mink in Ringwood had a significant negative impact on the water vole population. But now that the mink population is under control, it is anticipated that the water voles would eventually start reproducing after they overcome their territorial impulses.

Environmental Agency’s Mike Porter said:

Along with lowering flood risks and promoting regeneration, one of the goals of the Salisbury River Park is to enhance the habitat for biodiversity.

It is therefore very encouraging to see that spillover occur in this area, where the voles are healthy and content in their new permanent home and will eventually increase in number and spread farther afield.

The water voles will reside in “release pens,” which are wooden cages, until they acclimate to their new surroundings and begin to explore.

The fastest-declining animal in Britain and a species that is officially protected are water voles. During the surveying for the Salisbury River Park project, a tiny community was discovered.

The plan will assist metropolitan animals, particularly water voles, by improving their habitat over time. A tiny number, nevertheless, needed to be relocated before building could begin.

The plan offers water voles the perfect environment, and it is anticipated that voles from nearby populations would swiftly colonise the work area.

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene, and Flooding, Cllr. Dr. Mark McClelland, said:

One of our top responsibilities is to safeguard and preserve Wiltshire’s natural beauty and environment while also increasing the city’s flood defences and the built and natural environments.

The prosperity of our citizens as well as the county’s tourism economy are significantly influenced by the distinctive ecosystems, terrain, and wildlife.

To preserve the indigenous vole population in this section of the river, the transfer of the voles was an essential component of the project. We hope to see them again at the location in the near future.

The Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council, Salisbury City Council, and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership are working together on the Salisbury River Park project.

But in addition to increasing water vole populations, transporting them to another area of the Avon basin required further assistance and counsel from Atkins, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Derek Gow Consultancy.

In order to make the environment on this site better and more vole-friendly, The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has been collaborating with the private landowner.

Other water meadow species in the Avon Valley, including vulnerable wading birds and invertebrates, will also benefit from these habitat enhancements.

Some of the water voles didn’t need release cages and were eager to plunge into the nearby body of water.
Atkins associate ecologist Jim Girgis said:

In addition to helping to restore important connections between known populations in the Lower and Upper Avon, this transfer would allow the population to flourish in a suitable environment.

This is a very significant project since it helps the local water vole population, which is native to the region and greatly benefits the local eco-system. It is also another excellent example of how to guarantee the greatest results for the plan and the sustainability of the local ecosystem.

From their transportation cages to their release pens, water voles were carefully removed.

A £27 million transformative project called the Salisbury River Park would lower the flood risk for more than 350 Salisbury houses and businesses.

Additionally, it will establish 13 hectares of top-notch public open space, clear barriers to promote fish migration upstream, and develop 2 hectares of improved riverfront habitat for the benefit of animals.

Improved foot and bicycle lanes will also be advantageous for locals and guests.

The major construction activities are anticipated to be finished in the spring of 2024, having started in July 2022.
The project’s development may be followed at www.salisburyriverparkphase1.com.


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