Nature River Mel Restoration Group
Members of the River Mel Restoration Group met in May for their Annual General Meeting. Following the short business part of the meeting, Ruth Hawksley, (Water for Wildlife Officer for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust) presented the findings from a water vole survey she undertook along the River Mel during early summer 2013. Ruth informed members that water voles are the fastest declining mammal recorded in the country. Nationally it is estimated that the water vole population has declined by over 90% during the last forty years, with an estimated decline of 87% in the Anglian region. Changes to, and loss of habitat, along with predation from mink, are the main causes of the decline. In order to map the remaining colonies the Wildlife Trust decided to survey the water vole population along the River Rhee and its tributaries, which included the River Mel. The survey along the Mel showed abundant evidence of water vole activity with food stores, water vole holes and latrines all being found along the length of the watercourse. The area provides good habitat and plenty of food for them, with many areas of lush green vegetation on the banks all the way down to the water as well as good field margins. Fortunately, water voles are not fussy about what they eat
and a survey in 1993 identified 227 species of plant eaten by them. They also love apples, other fruits, bark, bulbs and roots. South Cambridgeshire is fortunate in still having areas of good habitat for water voles and we are lucky that the Mel still demonstrates its local importance in this regard. The River Mel Restoration Group continues to meet for regular working parties to maintain and enhance the River Mel and its environs. If you would like to know more or join the volunteers please contact Maureen Brierley 01763 262752 or by email Maureen.brierley@virgin.net
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