Water Vole

Having the title of fastest declining mammal in the British Isles is not ideal, but that is what the Water Vole is. The numbers of this animal are in free-fall, partly due to habitat loss and partly due the predation by the escaped/released/introduced (call it what you will) Mink. Some records show that the numbers of Water Voles are 95% less than they used to be. Just think about that for the moment...... 95% less.

These numbers are pretty mind-numbing. I haven't seen one for years, that changed on my recent visit to Rainham Marshes RSPB. This site has one of the highest densities of Water Voles in the country, giving an excellent chance to see one of these furry critters. Chris and I had close encounters with two of these little beasties and when I say close, I mean down to four feet.

This little chap was pretty nonchalant when it came to humans, he just wasn't that bothered. A few people stood, knelt and even lay on the board-walk and he just carried on munching away.

In this video, if you listen very carefully you can hear him nibbling away!

Views like these are to be cherished for if we are not careful, we will be left with memories and not a lot else.