Wildlife conservationists are looking for volunteers in Dorset to help survey endangered water voles.

The water vole population has plummeted by a staggering 90 per cent across the country since the 1970s and has experienced one of the most serious declines of any native wild mammal.

They were once a common sight along Britain’s waterways but now, due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation from non-native American mink, they are listed as endangered on the Rest List for Britain’s Mammals.

Last year six sites in Dorset were surveyed, with one showing signs of water vole presence.

From now until Saturday, June 15, wildlife conservation charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is looking for volunteer ‘water vole watchers’  to visit their nearest stream, river, ditch or canal in search of water voles and record what they find.

Emily Sabin, water vole officer at PTES, said: “With their glossy dark brown fur, blunt snouts and furry tails, water voles are incredibly cute, but the decline they continue to experience is nothing short of alarming.

"Thankfully, in some areas water voles are starting to make a comeback due to habitat restoration work and increased mink control, but their numbers are still much lower than they should be.

"To prevent any further losses and to hopefully start seeing water voles across our waterways more broadly, we need as many people to take part in our survey as possible.”

Tell-tale signs include feeding stations, burrows in the riverbank, latrines (piles of droppings) or listening out for their characteristic ‘plop’ as they dive into the water.

The River Frome at Tincleton and the River Stour around Wimborne are recommended sites volunteers can survey, or a new site can be registered.

There is no need for any prior experience and free training will be provided via Zoom in April and May.

The results from the survey - which is part of PTES’ National Water Vole Monitoring Programme - helps conservationists find where water voles are living, how their populations are changing each year, and where they’re no longer found.

This data is crucial so that PTES can understand where water voles need the most help and implement targeted conservation efforts to help prevent further decline. 

To become a water vole watcher, access the free online training or to find out more, visit www.ptes.org/watervoles