Allotments 4 All

Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: ceres on September 27, 2008, 18:06:10

Title: Vole?
Post by: ceres on September 27, 2008, 18:06:10
I cam across this little chap moving my compost bins this week.  He didn't seem to get the idea that he was supposed to run away so rather than decapitate him digging out the compost, I scooped him up and let him go in the new compost bin.  He was quite round in shape, about 2" long, tiny ears, a little tail about 1" long.

[attachment=1]
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: OllieC on September 27, 2008, 18:13:10
Awwww, isn't s/he cute!!!
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: realfood on September 27, 2008, 18:30:53
No, I do not think that voles are cute at all!!! Especially after they have attacked my brassicas for the umpteenth time, eating out the growing centers, even though the bed is covered to the ground with 1 cm sq netting. Curly Kale is their favourite!
This was after they had eaten through every dwarf and climbing bean stem about 7 cm above ground. Strangely, runner beans were not attacked.
Then in the spring, they ate out the centers of every shallot set. They are causing massive damage on most of the plots on our allotments.
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: angle shades on September 27, 2008, 18:54:57
 :) great shot ceres, I want one/ shades x
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: OllieC on September 27, 2008, 19:12:03
Quote from: realfood on September 27, 2008, 18:30:53
No, I do not think that voles are cute at all!!! Especially after they have attacked my brassicas for the umpteenth time, eating out the growing centers, even though the bed is covered to the ground with 1 cm sq netting. Curly Kale is their favourite!
This was after they had eaten through every dwarf and climbing bean stem about 7 cm above ground. Strangely, runner beans were not attacked.
Then in the spring, they ate out the centers of every shallot set. They are causing massive damage on most of the plots on our allotments.

Still looks cute to me!
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: littlebabybird on September 27, 2008, 20:10:28
bless, they make tunnels everywhere under my mulch,
but they havent eaten anything at all, i assumed they ate insects or worms
lbb
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Hyacinth on September 27, 2008, 20:19:19
Ahh, bless! Is that what they look like live? Want one! Want one for a pet for me pokkit.... :)

Only ones I've seen have been longer and thinner and, well, flatter? My cat used to catch them, bury them under the bedroom carpet....I'd vacuum.......only discovered the little dessicated graveyeard when we came to move & the carpet was lifted ::)

But, ahh, wotta cutie :-*
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: ceres on September 27, 2008, 20:53:28
Quote from: Hyacinth on September 27, 2008, 20:19:19
Ahh, bless! Is that what they look like live? Want one! Want one for a pet for me pokkit.... :)

Only ones I've seen have been longer and thinner and, well, flatter? My cat used to catch them, bury them under the bedroom carpet....I'd vacuum.......only discovered the little dessicated graveyeard when we came to move & the carpet was lifted ::)

But, ahh, wotta cutie :-*

I've never seen one so was hoping one of the experts would confirm it!  I've googled and it seems to fit description and pictures.

Yours would be longer and thinnner and flatter if they'd been under the carpet for a while? ;)

It certainly is cute.  I don't think they're doing any damage on our site - never heard anyone complain about vole damage.  Flying rats yes, tree rats yes, rat rats yes but not voles!

Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Hyacinth on September 27, 2008, 21:10:11
Actually, tho I discovered the poor little dessicated graveyard under the bedroom carpet in Glos. years back prior to our move to Brum (and the vacuum cleaner was heavy, geddit?)......the only live voles I've seen really recently have been in America, where one of the family's cats,  "Killer" (re-named to reflect his personality ::)) brought his dead catch into the house......this, too, was leaner and longer - still small, tho -.....are UK voles rounder, perhaps, or is this one better fed, or is it a 'she' and having babies?....

Whatever, I'd forgive  this babe a LOT.....and I'd love to have one - even more.... 8)
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 27, 2008, 22:22:40
I see field voles now and then. They've never done any harm, but if you had a lot they could.
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Hyacinth on September 27, 2008, 22:28:25
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on September 27, 2008, 22:22:40
I see field voles now and then. They've never done any harm, but if you had a lot they could.

so are they round and cutesy-cuddly like the pic Robert?
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: manicscousers on September 28, 2008, 07:48:40
we had the same experience as you, hyacinth..squashed flat under the rug in the dining room, rather like a mummified vole  :)
between that and the mouse feet and tail, used to make me feel slightly sick  ;D
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 28, 2008, 16:28:57
Quote from: Hyacinth on September 27, 2008, 22:28:25
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on September 27, 2008, 22:22:40
I see field voles now and then. They've never done any harm, but if you had a lot they could.

so are they round and cutesy-cuddly like the pic Robert?

Yes, they are. They're very like mice, only rounder and with short tails.

Regards,

Robert
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: ceres on September 28, 2008, 16:36:23
Thanks Robert!
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: redimp on September 28, 2008, 19:42:57
Quote from: angle shades on September 27, 2008, 18:54:57
:) great shot ceres, I want one/ shades x
I've got loads on my plot - and they do no damage whatsoever.  I love them! :D
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: star on September 28, 2008, 22:51:22
Well howdy Red, you disappeared for a while. Good to see ya ;)

Just to confirm, it is a vole. My cats used to catch and eat them.......... :-X. They never caused me any damage either. Lovely little things
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: ceres on September 28, 2008, 23:06:37
Thanks star.  They defintiely have the 'Aawww' factor!
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Kea on October 10, 2008, 18:10:20
i have lots on my plot. Short tail, chubby face very cute. One tried to hide from me one day by sitting between my feet.
It's mice that do the damage and big mice the ones beginning with an 'r'.
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Trixiebelle on October 12, 2008, 15:11:10
Rice?  :D
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Grandma on October 15, 2008, 22:26:23
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D @ Trixiebelle
Title: Re: Vole?
Post by: Kea on October 16, 2008, 10:16:13
Yes don't you have big grains of Rice running around your plot :o

You're really missing out if you don't! ;D