Water Species of Vole lives in UK gardens?

I seem to have voles tunnelling under my lawn and in the flower beds. I
understand that the common vole is not resident in the UK. Anybody know
what species it may be. A neighbour describes it as mouse-sized, grey and
tail-less.

thanks

Davy

Davy wrote...
>I seem to have voles tunnelling under my lawn and in the flower beds. I
> understand that the common vole is not resident in the UK. Anybody know
> what species it may be. A neighbour describes it as mouse-sized, grey and
> tail-less.

If it's a vole then it would be a bank vole. However they are reddish
coloured somewhat larger than a house mouse and they do have a tail - about
1/3 to 3/4 of the head/body length, I believe.

David

In article <5cedncyjlZ6E0wTZnZ2dnUVZ8qCdnZ2d@eclipse.net.uk >, David Lee
<davidlee_malvern@dont.use.this.bit.hotmail.com> writes
>Davy wrote...
>>I seem to have voles tunnelling under my lawn and in the flower beds. I
>> understand that the common vole is not resident in the UK. Anybody know
>> what species it may be. A neighbour describes it as mouse-sized, grey and
>> tail-less.
>
>If it's a vole then it would be a bank vole. However they are reddish
>coloured somewhat larger than a house mouse and they do have a tail - about
>1/3 to 3/4 of the head/body length, I believe.
>
Much more likely to be the field vole, Microtus agrestis. This is much
greyer than the reddish bank vole, and with a shorter tail, 1/4 to 1/3
of the total body length.

--
Malcolm

Malcolm wrote...
>>If it's a vole then it would be a bank vole. However they are reddish
>>coloured somewhat larger than a house mouse and they do have a tail -
>>about
>>1/3 to 3/4 of the head/body length, I believe.
>>
> Much more likely to be the field vole, Microtus agrestis. This is much
> greyer than the reddish bank vole, and with a shorter tail, 1/4 to 1/3 of
> the total body length.

Sorry - I mis-remembered my vole colours the wrong way about - as you say
field vole is much more likely.

David

Thanks guys - field vole it is! I often see parts of the woodchip-mulched
flower bed gently lifting and know that Mr Vole is scavenging underneath for
insects - mostly woodlice.

We have buzzards here in Wiltshire and I understand they take many voles.
They hunt by sitting on posts and staring at the ground; no doubt looking
for gently lifting of the surface.

cheers

Davy

"Davy" <david@REMOVEallTHISchobham.org.uk> wrote in message
news:lYednblr4dBw2ATZRVnyig@brightview.com...
> I seem to have voles tunnelling under my lawn and in the flower beds. I
> understand that the common vole is not resident in the UK. Anybody know
> what species it may be. A neighbour describes it as mouse-sized, grey and
> tail-less.
>
> thanks
>
> Davy
>
>

	#1
Davy	Water Species of Vole lives in UK gardens? I seem to have voles tunnelling under my lawn and in the flower beds. I understand that the common vole is not resident in the UK. Anybody know what species it may be. A neighbour describes it as mouse-sized, grey and tail-less. thanks Davy

	#2
David Lee	Re: Water Species of Vole lives in UK gardens? Davy wrote... >I seem to have voles tunnelling under my lawn and in the flower beds. I > understand that the common vole is not resident in the UK. Anybody know > what species it may be. A neighbour describes it as mouse-sized, grey and > tail-less. If it's a vole then it would be a bank vole. However they are reddish coloured somewhat larger than a house mouse and they do have a tail - about 1/3 to 3/4 of the head/body length, I believe. David

	#3
Malcolm	Re: Water Species of Vole lives in UK gardens? In article <5cedncyjlZ6E0wTZnZ2dnUVZ8qCdnZ2d@eclipse.net.uk >, David Lee <davidlee_malvern@dont.use.this.bit.hotmail.com> writes >Davy wrote... >>I seem to have voles tunnelling under my lawn and in the flower beds. I >> understand that the common vole is not resident in the UK. Anybody know >> what species it may be. A neighbour describes it as mouse-sized, grey and >> tail-less. > >If it's a vole then it would be a bank vole. However they are reddish >coloured somewhat larger than a house mouse and they do have a tail - about >1/3 to 3/4 of the head/body length, I believe. > Much more likely to be the field vole, Microtus agrestis. This is much greyer than the reddish bank vole, and with a shorter tail, 1/4 to 1/3 of the total body length. -- Malcolm