Water Vole Surveying

Survey findings so far......

Water voles are under serious threat from habitat loss and predation from American mink. The good news is our surveys continue to find evidence of healthy water vole populations of along our brook.

View our evidence on the Watercress & Winterbournes Survey Data tool.

Thursday 9 July 2026 - Amport

Not long before this survey we'd had another reported water vole sighting from a member of the PBA community further upstream near Amport Trout Fisheries.

An early start and shorter session to avoid the forecasted soaring temperatures. The survey team, including four trainees found significantly more evidence of feeding stations on both banks here than last year. It was great for our trainees to see some physical evidence. All indicating a thriving water vole population in Amport.

Water Vole Survey Team Amport July 2026
Photos courtesy of Andrew Cameron Photographer & Visual Storyteller

Saturday 27 June 2026 - Abbotts Ann

our wonderful chalk stream

With the weather being so hot and humid the survey team scaled-back the full day survey that had been planned. Despite covering a smaller area the team including one trainee and additional help from two surveyors from the River Arle, found evidence of water vole activity to demonstrate a sustained water vole population here.

Mating Banded Demoiselles
photo courtsey of Carolyn Bishop

I think that's a feeding station

Monday 22 June 2026 - Thruxton winterbourne

Following a reported water vole sighting we decided to reposition one of our TrailCams to this section of the Thruxton winterbourne. So imagine our surprise and delight to actually have captured a water vole on our Trailcam!

Although you cannot see any distinguishing features, the way this mammal is so buoyant with a plump body floating high above the water, it does indicates a water vole. Rats have their bodies much lower in the water and only their heads are noticeable.

We had planned to do a physical survey here on the 9 July even though the winterbourne had dried 6 days earlier. However due to the hot weather and this video evidence we decided to postpone any surveying here until the winterbourne starts to flow again.

Find more video clips of the Thruxton winterbourne visit at our Captured by TrailCam webpage.

Watercress & Winterbournes - Water Vole Survey Data

Although the Watercress & Winterbournes project has closed they have left us a nifty tool for recording and viewing all our water vole survey evidence.

Click on the image below to access the tool. Zoom in on the Pilhill Brook (south west of Andover) and use the slider at the bottom left to explore how the survey evidence has change from year to year and supports our claim that the Pillhill Brook supports a thriving population of water voles*.

* Surveys have not taken place every year so that data is missing.

Tuesday 19 August 2025 - Amport

A small group of volunteers surveyed both banks of the brook at Mill House opposite the Hawk Inn in Amport. The good news is that we did find evidence of water vole activity here - feeding stations and a latrine.

In June 2024 Watercress & Winterbournes carried out a habitat restoration project in this section of the brook. So we are all delighted that this work has had a positive impact on our water vole population.

The feeding remains of water voles are very distinctive - having a 45º angled cut at both ends. Their droppings can vary in colour but are the size and shape of tic tacks.

Feeding station

Latrine

Tuesday 29 April 2025 - Abbotts Ann

Volunteers spent a lovely afternoon along the Pillhill Brook at Abbotts Ann water meadow learning how to spot evidence of water voles. Thank you to Maggie Shelton from Watercress & Winterbournes for leading us.

We've found evidence of runs, burrows, feeding stations and latrines.

We didn’t find as much evidence of water voles as last year’s survey but the bank was very boggy and it was still early in the season. So we plan to return later in the water vole season (April to September) to carry out another survey.

Distinctive 45º angled cuts

Empty caddis cases

We also found puzzling small piles of empty caddis cases dotted along the banks of the survey area. Maggie explained that water shews are very partial to caddis. So we know we also have water shews at this site!

Water shrew

If you would like to get involved in a future water vole surveys then contact us at pillhillbrook@gmail.com.

Historic Sightings

Courtesy of Katie Parfrey

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