Water voles live in burrows along rivers/streams and around ponds and lakes, and are mostly active from April to September. 

Previous population declines were caused by predation from American Mink (an invasive species), loss of their riverbank habitats, and changes in the land system. There have been ongoing efforts to reintroduce water voles to their previous habitats. They help control aquatic plants, which enables a greater species diversity. 

Water voles have been successfully reintroduced to Hogsmill River in Kingston through work by the Citizen Zoo project. They’re planning to release more water voles into the wild in Epsom and Ewell this July! It will be the first ever recorded release in Surrey.

Last summer, 137 water voles were also released onto the river Crane in the Hounslow/Richmond area. Habitats & Heritage are helping to further improve the habitat for these voles. You can help by taking part in some of our habitat volunteering days, including occasional reedbed planting along the River Crane.

Water voles are sometimes referred to as ‘nature’s chocolate biscuit’ due to the large number of predators they have.

Although the leading character in The Wind in the Willows is a water vole named “Ratty”, it only superficially resembles a true rat. Instead, water voles have rounder noses with paws, tails, and ears covered in fur. 

Thanks to Stein’s for hosting this sticker! Stein’s are a bar, restaurant and biergarten serving Bavarian food and beers. Stein’s Kingston London UK

To find the next sticker, go slightly back up the road to Ocean Basket