Water Vole Latrine Survey Raft 20cm x 20cm

Traditionally, water vole surveyors have looked for field signs such as droppings, burrows, footprints and feeding activity however this can be dangerous along steep river banks and can be inaccurate.

For a new survey method developed by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, our water vole latrine raft is a simple and effective tool to help ecologists track water vole presence in aquatic habitats

Rafts can be safely deployed from the river bank with minimal disturbance, and tethered using string. Water voles are inquisitive, and will use the rafts as a feeding platform where they will leave their droppings.

Built from buoyant 20 x 20cm foam covered with bitumen felt, held on with stainless bolts, nuts and washers (enabling the felt to be replaced if necessary over time), and a stainless steel tethering eye. Tethering string and ground peg also included.

It is recommended that they be placed in slow-moving water at 50m intervals, and checked monthly. Indicate your raft locations using marking tape or flags.