Water Voles are the fastest declining mammal in the UK—a shocking statistic for a species that once boasted a population of eight million. Today, only around 132,000 remain, a devastating decline that has seen them disappear from 94% of their former habitats, including the Lake District. The introduction of the American Mink, a voracious predator, has only exacerbated the problem, wiping out entire colonies of voles in the blink of an eye.

It’s been a race against time to save them, but thankfully, we’re now seeing what can be achieved when people come together to turn the tide.

Preparing the Ground for a Vole Comeback

Reintroducing a species like the Water Vole isn’t as simple as just setting them free and hoping for the best. It takes meticulous planning, commitment and a deep understanding of the complex web of life that these animals are part of.

River conservation charity, Eden Rivers Trust, with crucial funding from the Environment Agency’s Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF), the Moorhouse Fund (Cumbria Community Foundation) and The Ernest Cook Trust, has been working with landowners and volunteers to create the perfect conditions for water voles to flourish. This has involved painstaking work over a number of years, to restore and improve habitats and—crucially—control the population of American mink.

The reintroduction saw 204 water voles released at Haweswater, following an earlier release of 161 at the Lowther Estate. This marked the completion of the first phase of a reintroduction programme within the Lake District National Park.

Dave Greaves, Species and Habitat Officer at Eden Rivers Trust, explained:

“The conditions must be right to successfully re-introduce Water Voles and a wide range of partners have worked closely with us to get to this point. Firstly, Lowther Estates, the RSPB and United Utilities’ commitment to landscape-scale river restoration and habitat improvement projects has created the variety of river and wetland habitats needed for Water Voles to thrive.  

“Secondly, control of invasive, non-native American mink had to be in place as they kill water voles and other native wildlife.  Water voles didn’t co-evolve with American mink, and so lack strategies to avoid predation. We now have a more effective and efficient way of controlling mink – working with landowners and the local community so that the Water Voles stand a better chance of survival.”

This careful planning also extended to selecting the Water Voles themselves. Eden Rivers Trust worked with Water Vole specialists Derek Gow Consultancy to source captive-bred voles with genetics closely matching those that once lived in Cumbria.

Water voles might be small, but they pack a big punch when it comes to our ecosystems. They’re what conservationists call a “keystone species” – their burrowing and grazing help shape the environment, encouraging a wider variety of plants and animals to thrive.  Without them, our rivers are poorer, less vibrant places.

The reintroduction is part of a wider landscape-scale approach to nature recovery in the Lake District. Bill Kenmir from Cumbria Connect said:

“This reintroduction is a significant step forward. By establishing interconnected populations across restored floodplains, we’re creating the conditions for water voles to thrive. They’ll even live alongside beavers, whose dam-building activities complement the voles’ habitat needs.”

Yes, you heard that right – water voles and beavers, living side by side for the first time in over 400 years.

At Lowther, a family of beavers have been introduced in a carefully managed exclosure and the water voles will now live side-by-side.  Jim Bliss from Lowther said:

“Beavers and water voles co-exist happily. Their activities complement each other, creating a richer, more diverse landscape.”

Beavers raise water levels with their dams, which in turn gives voles access to more feeding areas. It’s nature working in harmony and the results could be transformational.

David Morris, RSPB Area Manager for Cumbria, added:

“We are thrilled to witness the water voles’ return to Haweswater, a testament to 12 years of dedicated landscape recovery in collaboration with our partner, United Utilities. Haweswater’s role in the esteemed Cumbrian River Restoration Programme, earning the European Riverprize 2022, reflects our commitment to reinstating natural river processes. Now, working more widely with our neighbours the Lowther Estate, we have created an environment where we can support the revival of this endangered species, establishing a population that can disperse across the wider landscape, contributing to a resilient ecosystem that benefits both nature and people.”

John Gorst, Catchment Partnership Officer for United Utilities, said:

“We’re proud to be part of the reintroduction of water voles at Haweswater. They will play their part in continuing to improve the biodiversity around the estate and build on the good work that our partnership with the RSPB has done.”

 

Looking Ahead

The return of Water Voles to Cumbria is a brilliant example of what’s possible when we put our minds to it.  It’s proof that, the the right support and partnerhips, we can restore the balance of nature and bring back the species we’ve lost.

The return of water voles to Cumbria is just the beginning. With future releases planned, this ambitious project aims to establish thriving, interconnected populations across the Lake District, bringing balance and vitality back to its rivers.

Find out more about this fantastic project at edenriverstrust.org.uk