A rare population of fossorial water voles, which burrow underground in urban Glasgow, has been successfully relocated to a new area ahead of drainage work by Scottish Water. These voles are considered to be of national significance.
Unique Urban Adaptations
Unlike typical water voles that inhabit riversides and streams, the fossorial voles discovered in Glasgow in 2008 have adapted to dig like moles, living in grassy urban spaces. They burrow underground in parks and grassy areas across the East End of the city.
Relocation Process
A specialist team of ecologists carefully trapped and moved the voles from the Wellhouse area to a suitable nearby habitat, the location of which remains confidential. The team used empty Pringle tubes as they were the perfect size to funnel the creatures into crates.
The relocation occurred in recent weeks ahead of construction for a new Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) detention basin.
Statements from Scottish Water
Steven Greenhill, Scottish Water’s alliance team manager, said: “Scottish Water takes its role and responsibility to protect the local environment very seriously, which is why we’ve undertaken a very significant amount of work to ensure the protection of these very rare voles. Our thanks to all the partners involved for their knowledge and expertise in both trapping and relocating the voles safely. We are now working hard to deliver this important drainage project for our customers in Wellhouse.”
The SUDS project will prevent rainwater from entering the combined sewer network, reducing overflow risks during heavy rain. It also delivers cost and carbon savings by eliminating the need to pump and treat rainwater before returning it to the environment.
Collaborative Effort
Jenny Craig, environmental manager at Scottish Water, highlighted the collaborative effort: “This has been a real team effort spanning several years, involving Scottish Water, Glasgow City Council, NatureScot, the Seven Lochs Wetland Park, and our ecologists at Tetra Tech. It’s a great example of the work done to support this essential project while protecting wildlife that makes Glasgow’s East End special.”
Julia Ferguson, associate director of ecology at Tetra Tech, added: “Glasgow’s fossorial water voles are truly remarkable — they’re one of the few known populations in the UK to have adapted to living in urban grasslands away from water. We’ve been carefully trapping and relocating the voles to a suitable nearby habitat, and hope to see this new area act as an important connecting habitat for fragmented water vole colonies.”
The SUDS project also enables more social and affordable housing development in the area. Delivered by Caledonia Water Alliance on behalf of Scottish Water, work is expected to be completed by summer next year.
