Endangered water rat finds a home in city park
Water rats – a species whose population has declined by 90% over the past 30 years – have made a park in York their home, it has been confirmed.
The animals, which are on the Red List of Threatened Species, recently appeared for the first time in Hull Road Park in York.
They were discovered on the overgrown banks of Osbaldwick Beck, which flows through the park, as part of a seven-year project to improve habitat for wildlife in the area.
Gail Hammond, environmental programme manager at the Environment Agency, said: “There is still a lot of work to be done, but the recent sightings in York can give us hope that if people work together to protect wildlife, the species can recover.”
Water voles are Britain’s largest species of vole and have a round face, blunt nose, small ears and dark brown or almost black fur.
They can often be recognized by the characteristic splashing sound they make when they dive into the water.
Their appearance at Osbaldwick Beck was hailed as a success of the York Urban Becks project, which began in 2017 and saw the Environment Agency work with partners to restore wildlife habitat in the city.
The organisation focused on working with the environmental group St Nicks to attract water lovers to Tang Hall and Osbaldwick streams.
As a result, voles have now appeared all along the creek, including in Hull Road Park, which is close to an urban area.
“Ecosystem engineers”
Jonathan Dent, from St Nicks in York, said: “We have had some very clear sightings in recent weeks and have been able to identify field marks during surveys of the riverbed which 100% confirm their presence.”
It is now hoped that the successful introduction of the water vole into the region will lead to an even greater improvement in biodiversity along York’s waterways.
“Water rats are affectionately known as ecosystem engineers. Their digging and feeding activities promote biodiversity and provide opportunities for wetland plants and other animals to thrive, so we should see even greater diversity in stream habitat,” Mr Dent said.
Councillor Jenny Kent of York City Council said: “York’s water rats are great news – for them and for York’s environment.”
“This is a real recognition of the hard work of all our partners and volunteers in this program, which we greatly appreciate.”
