Bank Vole

I saw movement at the base of the hedge so edged closer. Then I spotted the beady eye of this little vole; it’s body was about 5cm long. These little rodents aren’t a problem on the allotment as their preferred foods are from the hedgerow; fruit, nuts (particularly hazelnuts and blackberries) and small insects. 

It wasn’t particularly timid. As I got closer it would run back to the hedge cover and then re-emerge. A bank vole is not a rare animal to spot, but it’s always pleasure to see nature going about its business.

The location of this vole explains the kestrel’s preferred spot on the overhead wires and we’ve also seen a cat staring at the hedge near that area. These little mammals are easily predated in the Winter months when there isn’t much cover.

Mice have longer tails; the bank vole’s is about half the length of the vole’s body. Field voles’ tails are shorter and their colouring is more grey rather than the gingery colour of this species.