Water voles have been discovered thriving across the Gwent Levels after bouncing back from extinction on the internationally-important wetlands of south Wales. Six years ago, Gwent Wildlife Trust reintroduced the endangered species to Magor Marsh nature reserve on the edge of the Levels. New mapping shows that they have bred successfully and spread up to 10 kilometres.

The water vole is the UK’s most rapidly declining mammal and has been lost from 94% of places where they were once prevalent; earlier this year a report* revealed an ever-worsening situation.  Thus, the new map created by Gwent Wildlife Trust is very heartening and shows water voles are reclaiming their historic range. (See Editor's notes for map.) 

Unfortunately, the news comes at a time when the Welsh government is due to announce a decision which will decide the fate of the Gwent Levels. A new 14-mile-long six-lane motorway is proposed; it will cut across six protected wildlife havens and destroy or damage a historic landscape which is Wales’ equivalent to the Amazon rainforest. Rare wildlife such as water voles, otters and cranes will be badly affected.

We need everyone who cares about nature to voice their concern about these destructive plans

The Wildlife Trusts are launching a new campaign today urging people to write to the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones

Ian Rappel, chief executive of Gwent Wildlife Trust says:

“The fantastic success of the water vole reintroduction project is a wonderful testament to all the great efforts of volunteers and staff working to enhance the Gwent Levels for wildlife. This beautiful landscape is a nature-lover’s paradise and people really enjoy its peace and tranquillity. But the success is bitter-sweet. If the new road gets the go-ahead billions will be spent destroying a very special place for the sake of saving ten minutes of commuting time.”

Ian Rappel continues: “Gwent Wildlife Trust fought the new road proposals during the Public Inquiry – but now we need everyone who cares about nature to voice their concern about these destructive plans. We believe that Welsh Government should scrap the billion-pound-plus road and invest, instead, in a modern public transport system for the people of Wales.”

Iolo Williams, TV presenter says:

“This road is going to destroy Sites of Special Scientific Interest – these are the jewels in the Welsh crown. This road is going to destroy habitat for otters, for water voles and for cranes which have nested on the Levels for the first time in 400 years. Let’s make sure the Welsh government wakes up to its commitment to future generations. There are better and cheaper alternatives to this idiotic development.”

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts says:

“When future generations realise the extent of the damage this generation has wreaked on our finite, beautiful, natural world they will ask "why?" Why, for the sake of a few minutes knocked off journey times, did we destroy the unique and irreplaceable Gwent Levels. Why did we think it was OK to wipe out its woods, its precious waterways, its water voles, our Forest School campfire?  Together, these make a wetland of international importance. Wherever you live in the UK please help stand up for wildlife and put a stop to the M4 "black route." We do not have the right to destroy this treasure or deprive future generations of its joy.”  

Editor’s notes

*February 2018: A 10 year study of water voles by The Wildlife Trusts shows that national treasure ‘Ratty’ needs urgent help to survive.

Map below of reported water vole sightings since their reintroduction to Magor Marsh, Gwent Levels, in 2012. Data collected by Gwent Wildlife Trust and other organisations.

About the map:

• The map shows records of live sightings and field signs between 2012 to 2018, with buffer lines indicating the distance 1km, 2km, 5km and 10km around the Magor Marsh nature reserve boundary.
• The data points are colour-coded by year and show confirmed presence of water voles in a given year.
• Each data point may represent single or repeated sightings in a given year.
• The records are ad hoc in nature and do not give any indication of population numbers or density.
• The data points are layered with oldest records on top, to show the first year of detection at a given location (not the most recent), demonstrating their approximate spread.
• For most of the data points, more recent records are stacked underneath i.e. since the first year detected, water voles have continued to be detected in subsequent years.
• Many of the records have come from Gwent Wildlife Trust’s mammal monitoring raft network, which spans approximately 3km around the nature reserve.
• Other records come from surveys and ad hoc sightings. Much of the Gwent Levels has not been surveyed by Gwent Wildlife Trust, therefore, water voles are likely to be present in other locations not yet mapped.
• The map shows only the eastern section of the Gwent Levels (referred locally as the Caldicot Levels).  Gwent Wildlife Trust are yet to confirm water voles as present on the western section of the Gwent Levels (Wentlooge Levels), but will continue to survey for them to expand knowledge of their distribution.
• The red line shows the approximate route of the proposed M4 extension (black route).

Gwent Wildlife Trust M4 campaign page / Iolo Williams film
You can read more and watch a short film with Iolo Williams talking about the proposed road here.