River Anton Wildlife Surveys
Since 2008, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have been carrying out water vole, otter, bat and crayfish surveys on the River Anton with the help of keen volunteers. Surveys have enabled us to find out the distribution of these species, and allow us to access how best to manage the river to improve the habitat for them.
Water Voles and Otters
Water vole numbers have dropped nationally by 85% since 1990, and are still falling, making them the fastest declining mammal in the UK. This loss is due to a number of factors including changes in waterway management, land drainage, habitat loss, predation and pollution, and the release and spread of american mink, the main predator of the water vole. Some good news though, is that on the River Anton we still have good populations of water voles at Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve and Anton Lakes Local Nature Reserve. Enhancement works are planned along other stretches of the river to make the habitat more suitable, and the water vole population more stable. Otter numbers are good on the river with signs of activity along most stretches.
Bats
Bat surveys along the river have identified that we have 6 species of bat present. Bats have been found both along the urban sections as well as the more rural sections of river.
Crayfish
With the recent discovery of the native white-clawed crayfish at Fullerton, and records of white-clawed crayfish in the Clatford's 10 years ago, the Wildlife Trust was keen to carry out crayfish surveys on the urban stretches of the Anton. Four keen dedicated volunteers spent 8 weeks surveying for crayfish at Rooksbury Mill and Anton Lakes, but only two american signal crayfish were found at Rooksbury Mill. These are an invasive species, introduced to Britain from Sweden for the food market in the 1970's. They carry a crayfish plague, and predate on the native crayfish, therefore proving a serious threat.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust would like to thank all of the volunteers that took part in the surveys, and landowners who allowed us to access their land to survey.
If you would like any more information about the surveys, please contact Sarah Lynes sarahl@hwt.org.uk
