BASC: Water voles making a big comeback on the Somerset Levels

Water voles, which are almost extinct in many other parts of Britain, have made an astonishing comeback on the Somerset Levels thanks to a major conservation scheme in the region.

The aim of the project, which is being led by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), is to clear the West Country of mink, which have caused significant damage to water vole populations across the region, as well as many other species.

Three mink-trapping workshops have been held in the area and coordinated trapping is now taking place across the Levels. Within the BASC-led trapping team there are Natural England’s national nature reserve wardens, nature reserve volunteers, RSPB wardens, wildfowlers, university research teams, fishery owners, and county Wildlife Trust staff.

To date approximately 328 mink have been trapped and there is evidence to suggest that there are increasing areas of the Levels that could now be considered to be ‘mink free’.

BASC’s Somerset Levels Conservation Officer, Robin Marshall-Ball, said: “This is a real conservation success story, and an indication of what can be achieved when many conservation groups pull together for a common purpose. It has also paved the way for a number of other joint conservation projects between BASC members and other countryside stakeholders.”

Natural England’s advisor, Stephen Parker, said: “Working with partners to ensure sympathetic management and predator control on the levels has reaped significant benefits for the water vole. The once common and widespread creature can now flourish again in the well managed wetlands of the Somerset Levels & Moors.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Pictures of mink trapping workshops and water voles are available, for more information about photos, filming and interview opportunities please contact the BASC press office on 01244 573031

• BASC is the largest representative organisation for shooting sports with over 127,000 members. We work to protect and promote responsible shooting and engage with the entire spectrum of governmental and non-governmental organisations, politicians and partners to achieve these aims.

• BASC’s project on the Somerset Levels is part of our Green Shoots programme. Green Shoots is BASC’s biodiversity action plan for shooting and contributes towards the UK Biodiversity Action Plan which aims to conserve and sustainably manage all our wildlife

• The Somerset Levels project is a partnership project between BASC, Natural England and the Environment Agency which aims to: increase records of wildlife; increase biodiversity on BASC member’s land; assist the conservation for key species like water vole and breeding waders; strengthen the links between the local shooting community and conservation agencies. Although it is funded by these three organisations it works with a great number of other partner organisations.

• Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. For more information please access our web page at www.naturalengland.org.uk.

• More details about the Somerset Levels project including the most recent annual report can be seen at this following link. http://www.basc.org.uk/content/the_somerset_levels_proje.