Bank vole - Clethrionomys glareolus - Family: Cricetidae

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Bank vole - Clethrionomys glareolus
© Andy Sands (Avico Ltd)

This small barrel-shaped rodent has chestnut fur, a cream belly and a tail one third its overall length. The fur is redder and the tail slightly longer than that of the field vole.

It is commonly found in woods or hedgerows, and can occasionally be seen climbing up twigs after wild fruits. Juvenile bank voles are grey-brown. The droppings are dark brown, whereas those of field voles are greenish. These are left in small piles along their normal routes. Bank voles are active both day and night, although more nocturnal in summer, and are often caught and eaten by cats. Their nests are ball-shaped and made of leaves of whatever is to hand. These voles they can breed all year round if conditions are good.

Food

Buds, leaves, seeds, fruit and some insects.

Plants

Bramble, Crab apple, Dog rose, Field rose, Hawthorn, Hazel, Midland hawthorn, Sweet briar

Prey

Slugs and snails, Worms

Predators

Buzzard, Fox, Grass snake, Kestrel, Little owl, Sparrowhawk, Stoat, Tawny owl, Weasel