NATURE enthusiasts in Worcestershire are being called on to help halt the decline of the water vole, one of the most country’s most recognisable wild animals.

A study by the Canal and River Trust has shown sightings of the species in the county and across the UK have decreased dramatically over the past 40 years, with the most dramatic drop over the past 15 years.

The organisation has said the decline is largely due to a loss of the creature’s habitat as a result of development, agriculture and pollution as well as the threat from American mink, which prey on voles and have bred prolifically since many were released from fur farms in the 1970s.

As part of its Great Nature Watch the trust – which manages all 2,000 miles of waterways across the country – is asking people to visit canals, rivers, reservoirs and lakes and record sightings of water voles and other wildlife.

National ecologist with the organisation Mark Robinson said the scheme would help the trust better understand where water voles were in particular decline.

“Water voles are synonomous with British watercourses,” he said. “They are the largest of the vole family and widely recognised thanks to Ratty from Wind in the Willows.

“But they are one of the most endangered species in the country and are fast becoming a rare sight on Britain’s canals and rivers.

“While there have been positive steps across the country to reintroduce them and protect their habitats, by the trust and other organisations, we have to do more if we are going to stop the water vole from going the way of the dodo.

“By taking part in the Great Nature Watch you can help us monitor the numbers of water voles and in fact, all species living on waterways, which is essential when looking after and maintaining a 200 year part of our industrial heritage.”

For more information visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/great-nature-watch.