24. Misbourne Water vole monitoring scheme

Aims: Control invasive non-native species; Involve people with their local waterbodies; Improve wildlife corridors

Water body: River Misbourne

Project description

Following on from the discovery of water voles along the lower Misbourne a monitoring scheme was set up by BBOWT in 2009.

Water voles are the UK's fastest declining mammal.  The main causes of this are thought to be habitat degradation and the spread of the North American mink. There are only a few rivers in the Colne catchment which support water vole populations.  In response to sightings made in near Chalfont St. Peter and Higher Denham in 2008, BBOWT and the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project carried out a survey of the lower Misbourne the following year, confirming the presence of a significant colony along the river between Chalfont St. Peter and Denham. Both organisations have since worked with landowners to set up mink control and improve habitat for water voles. The Misbourne was designated as a Local Key Area for water voles in 2010.

Project lead: BBOWT

Project partners: Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

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Project start: Apr 2009

Project end: Ongoing