Water voles are chunky, small-guinea-pig sized mammals who generally like to live near streams and ponds. They are clean-living vegetarians and spend much of their time eating, grooming their silky fur, and swimming about. They are a lot of fun to watch. These animals are currently on the UK’s endangered list because populations have fallen by 95% in the last few decades, so it is very important to report all sightings, and alert landowners and councils to water vole presence.      

Water voles are fully protected by law under Section 36 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.  

Survey Work since 2006 has shown that the Whitchurch - Whixall area continues to be a national hotspot for water voles.