Field Vole
Microtus agrestis
Llygoden pengrwn y gwair
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 Photo by Wildstock |
Status:
The field vole is a native species, widespread in Snowdonia occurring in most grasslands, and open areas among woodlands, shrub habitats and hedgerows.
The species has no legal status in the UK and is not threatened
There are an estimated 16.5 million pre-breeding field voles in Wales making this species the most numerous mammal to be found in Snowdonia. Numbers within any population show seasonal increases and declines as in bank voles but may also fluctuate on a 3 – 4 year cycle depending winter survival and abundance of predators. As a rodent they are short lived (rarely surviving more than 2 years) but are highly fecund with a single female producing up to 8 litters in a year each of 5-6 babies. The population therefore has an annual increase to peak numbers each October.
The field vole is very much a keystone species in that it is a favoured prey of many predators from weasels, stoat, polecat, mink, fox, cat and badger as well as kestrel, buzzard, harrier, heron, barn owl, tawny owl, long- and short-eared owl. In owl pellets its teeth are readily identifiable.
In Snowdonia, the species has been recorded from open habitats from the coastal grasslands to near the summit of Snowdon.