Cheddar Gorge Rare Species

[Eddy Lerpiniere]

A European Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius) and a British Primitive Goat. The Vole is the fastest declining mammal in Britain and has further problems as It's often identified as the Brown Rat. Shame I only had my 18 - 55mm lens on at the time, but there it is ahhhh!

[Catherine]

Yes, a Water Vole is often called a 'Water Rat' - possibly as the Water Vole in 'The Wind in the Willows' was called 'Ratty', though he clearly wasn't a Rat!

I used to love watching Water Voles in the stream behind our garden wall when I was young. That has since been culverted so houses could be built there. So another habitat was lost.

[Eddy Lerpiniere]

There used to be great number at Slimbridge too, but I went their earlier this year and didn't see one!

[rolf]

Certainly don't see many around these days, were common when I was a kid. I must get back over to Hungerford, as there are nearly always some near the bridge.

[ladylouise62]

Yep, nothing special when I was a kid, just another creature - it's such a pity when things decline . There are apparently some in a park near me but I've not spotted them yet.