Home / Environment / Dry Spell Vanishes Water Voles from Yorkshire Stream
Dry Spell Vanishes Water Voles from Yorkshire Stream
12 Aug
Summary
- Water voles have vanished from a chalk stream due to dry weather.
- July rainfall in East Yorkshire was a record low of 0.8mm.
- Low water levels make it harder for voles to escape predators.
Water voles have been forced out of a section of the West Beck, near Driffield, in East Yorkshire, due to exceptionally dry weather conditions. An expert from the East Yorkshire Rivers Trust highlighted that the chalk streams fed by the Yorkshire Wolds are crucial for local wildlife.
However, current water levels are reportedly the lowest the expert can recall. This severe reduction in water depth makes it significantly more challenging for the water voles to find refuge from predators in the affected area of Wansford.
While East Yorkshire is not officially designated as being in drought, the region experienced a record low rainfall of just 0.8mm in July. This prolonged dry spell has had a direct impact on the habitat of these vulnerable creatures.
