Title of the project

Cheshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan

Description

To contribute towards the Cheshire LBAP (Local Biodiversity Action Plan) objectives for water vole, to establish the current distribution and range of water voles (Arvicola amphibius) in the Cheshire region and to identify potential water vole habitat on BASC members land.

They started to survey the entire River Gowy for voles followed by the establishment of an effective mink (Neovison vison) trapping programme (mink rafts).
A mink/water vole workshop was conducted in Mobberley in the north of the county in order to inform the local residents of the purpose of the water vole/mink project as well as recruit people to help check mink rafts and notify us of any sightings.

Results

A follow-up water vole survey carried out in July 2009 found evidence of water voles returning to the River Gowy in the form of 12 latrines, four burrows and numerous piles of feeding remains. This signifies a strong positive presence with at least two breeding females (approximately six latrines per breeding female)

Location

Country	United Kingdom
Level	Regional
Site	The River Gowy which feeds into the Frodsham marshes area and the Mobberley area, Cheshire County
Region	Cheshire County

Starting date

2007

Habitat Types

Scrub/Grassland , Wetland

Species

Species Caracteristics	Protected species, Invasive Alien species
Species Type	Mammals
Name(s) of main species	European water vole (Arvicola amphibius)

Conservation action(s)

Management of habitats and wildlife (e.g. conservation and restoration activities)

Partners

Leading partners	BASC The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (https://basc.org.uk/)
Other partners	Mersey Basin Campaign’s Paul (http://www.merseybasin.org.uk/) Corner and the North West Lowlands Water Vole (http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/watervole) Officer Richard Gardner

Estimation of the budget (total or annual)

£900 from Chester Zoo’s native species fund to buy the mink raft materials and traps.
£5,000 from the Environment Agency to purchase more mink rafts.

Publication(s)

Green Shoots in Cheshire Annual Reports
Ben Gregory Cheshire Biodiversity Project Officer
2008-2009-2010

Weblinks

https://basc.org.uk/conservation/green-shoots/green-shoots-in-cheshire/