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The water vole (Arvicola terrestris) is one of the
fastest declining mammals in the UK. This is the
result of habitat degradation and,
perhaps above all, the impact of predation by the
American mink (Mustela vison).
Anglesey is one of the most important areas for
water voles in the UK, having both a mass of
suitable (but improvable) wetland and river
habitat and an absence of mink.
Objectives:
1) to survey water voles on Anglesey
2) to advise development projects
having an impact on water voles
3) to implement water vole habitat
improvement projects
4) to implement a programme of mink
monitoring and control |
American Mink
The American mink is
known to be a major cause in the decline of the water vole in the
UK. It is likely that it is also damaging to other riparian species,
such as breeding waterfowl. Anglesey is, so far, free of mink, as
a result of which it now holds one of the most important water vole
populations in the UK.
To prevent the colonisation of Anglesey by mink, we have
a programme of systematic mink monitoring and, if
necessary, control. We use floating platforms designed by
the Game Conservancy, which detect mink presence by
capturing footprints in a clay tray. If mink are detected, a
live trap is inserted.
MM Environmental can provide advice and training in the
use of the platforms and will also manage monitoring and
control programmes. MM Environmental can also supply
platforms.
Project partners:
CCW, EA Wales and
the North West Wales Riparian Mammals
group. |
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