Water Vole
The Water Vole lives on water courses with densely vegetated banks and has the unfortunate distinction of being Britain’s fastest declining mammal. The decline of the Water Vole has been caused by a number of factors, loss of suitable soft banks to watercourses and the predator the American Mink seem to be key. The Regional Park supports a number of healthy populations but these remain vulnerable unless they can be linked together.
A key part of ensuring the survival of the Water Vole in the region is the work of the London and Hertfordshire Water Vole Projects, which the Authority is pleased to support.
A couple of key sites for Water Voles are Silvermeade, near Broxbourne and Walthamstow Marshes, Lea Bridge Road. However, look out for them along the watercourses of River Lee Country Park, you may be rewarded with a sighting.