Field Vole

I uncovered this little vole (~10cm long) while I was clearing an overgrown area. It ran out and was trying to hide amongst some dried grass. I had to catch it in a bucket to stop it from staying too close to where I was working.

The tail length - about a third of its body length - verifies this sweet little thing as a field vole (Microtus agrestis) rather than a bank vole (Myodes glareolus). 

We have found loads of vole holes across the site this year and I’ve seen voles a few times. These tiny creatures prefer to eat grasses and clover rather than vegetables so I don’t think they are to blame for the sweetcorn and beetroot damage. Not that we mind sharing.

I released it by the hedge, it wasn’t happy being captured, with much squeaking and I was concerned it was going to have a heart attack.