A group of the endangered vegetarian mammals is confined to one area because of a dark and gloomy stretch of the Wallsend Burn, which is overgrown by brambles.

Environment Agency staff have started clearing up the stream in order to improve the habitat so that the water voles can escape the family home and get out from under their parents paws.

Although water voles live underground in bankside burrows they shun overgrown dark tunnel-like watercourses, and this stretch of the Wallsend Burn has become so choked with brambles that it has presented a barrier to the vole population, who have been unable to find new territory.

Biodiversity officer Rachael McFarlane said: "Water voles are native to the UK but have been in serious decline for many years, and are now a protected species.

"The situation on the Longbenton Burn is that we have a group of voles who are unable to expand due to a very neglected and overgrown stretch of the stream.

"As with any species, in spring a young vole's fancy turns to love and freedom, and our work on the stream will give them an escape route to find new partners."

Over the past two weeks Environment Agency contractors have been busy remodelling the stream to remove the brambles and allow light in. This in turn will allow more diverse vegetation to develop and provide a better diet for the water voles, who eat grass, waterside plants, twigs and roots.

This project is being carried out in partnership with Newcastle City Council and North Tyneside Council.


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