Water Vole Surveys UK
Water voles are one of the UK’s fastest declining mammals and are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Because they inhabit rivers, streams, ditches, ponds, and wetland environments, many development sites require a specialist survey to determine whether water voles are present and how a project may impact them.
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Elite Ecology provides professional water vole surveys across the UK to support planning applications, development works, and conservation projects.
Mitigation and Protection
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If water voles are present or likely to be affected by development, mitigation measures may be required to meet legal obligations and avoid disturbance. Elite Ecology offers practical solutions, including:
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Habitat creation or enhancement
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Sensitive vegetation clearance
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Establishing buffer zones around active burrows
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Timing works to avoid breeding seasons
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Support with displacement under licence (where permitted)
We collaborate closely with developers, planners, and regulatory bodies to reduce ecological impact while helping projects proceed smoothly and responsibly.
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Our Survey
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We carry out both preliminary and detailed water vole surveys depending on site requirements. Our ecologists begin with a habitat suitability assessment to determine whether the area contains features that could support water voles. Where suitable habitat is present, a full field sign survey is undertaken, searching for indicators such as burrows, latrines, feeding stations, footprints, runways, nesting areas, and grazed vegetation.
Surveys are conducted during the optimal season of April to October, when activity is most detectable. Following the assessment, we provide a clear, planning-ready report detailing evidence of presence or likely absence, habitat quality, potential constraints, recommended mitigation, and opportunities for ecological enhancement.
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Contact Us
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We are licensed to carry out water vole surveys anywhere in the UK, and our prices for these surveys start at £350.
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Call us on 01782 308418, email us at admin@eliteecology.co.uk or send us a website enquiry.