Water Vole

Similar in size to brown rats, water voles are distinguished by their blunt noses and rounded ears. They also have chestnut-brown fur and a furry tail. However, Scotland’s water voles appear darker, often having a black coat. They inhabit burrows along the banks of slower-flowing watercourses. They like to sit and eat in the same place, so piles of nibbled grass or stems could be found by the water’s edge. With a short lifespan, water voles breed quickly, with females producing 3–4 litters during the breeding season, which typically runs from March to September.

Still widespread throughout mainland UK, though numbers have declined significantly. They are absent from the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Scottish islands, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Populations in Britain have faced severe declines due to predation by non-native American mink, as well as habitat degradation and pollution. 

eDNA from water samples:

• Avoid stepping into the water – this can stir up sediment, throwing up sediment DNA and any inhibitory molecules present. Sediment may clog the filter and prevent sufficient volumes of water being filtered.
• Avoid reusing equipment from the kits for different samples to limit the risk of contamination between sites. Any items such as extendable poles should be thoroughly cleaned before using at other sites.
• Focus on areas around the edges, near vegetation and potential habitat of water voles.

Biological:

• A faecal sample with sufficient biological material to be used as a reserve is required in case the extraction is unsuccessful the first time: the fresher a sample is, the more likely the test will be able to extract viable DNA.
• Other viable sample types include fur/hair, tissue and blood.