WILDLIFE charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species is calling for volunteers across Dorset to take part in annual wildlife survey to conserve Britain’s fastest declining mammal.

PTES is calling for volunteers across the county and the rest of the UK to search for sightings and signs of water voles along local riverbanks, canals and other inland waterways from April 15 to June 15.

This survey, which is part of PTES’ National Water Vole Monitoring Programme, helps conservationists find where water voles are living, how their populations are changing each year, and most importantly, where they are in most need of help.

Key Species Monitoring and Data Officer at PTES Henrietta Pringle said: “Water voles are Britain’s fastest declining mammal – a staggering 90 per cent of the population was lost between the 1980s and 1990s alone - so they really need our help.

“Due to lockdown last spring, we were unable to survey water voles, meaning we now have a gap in our dataset.

“Finding out where water voles are is crucial to their conservation, so now more than ever we need feet on the ground to help us look for these adorable riverside residents to see how they’re faring.”

PTES needs to build on the survey data gathered since 2015 to create a long-term picture of how water voles are faring, especially after having to cancel last year’s spring survey season.

The charity hopes that the positive relationship people developed with nature during lockdown will mean the public are keen to get involved and help look for these endearing creatures, or their signs, this spring.

To take part, individuals, ‘bubbles’ or households are asked to select one of the 850 pre-selected sites close to their homes, which can be found online. If there isn’t a pre-selected site close by, new sites on a local waterway can be registered.

Volunteers are asked to walk along the riverbank looking for sightings of water voles, listening out for the characteristic ‘plop’ as they enter the water, or spotting the signs they leave behind, such as footprints, droppings, latrines or bankside burrows.

Surveyors are also asked to record any sightings or signs of American mink and otters, both predators of water voles.

No previous experience is needed, as there are detailed survey guidelines and online training materials to help you identify water voles and their signs.

Henrietta added: “Despite the shocking statistics, knowing the reasons behind the decline means it’s in our power to reverse it.

“By restoring bankside vegetation and connecting patches of existing habitat across the landscape, water voles can be successfully encouraged to return to our waterways.

“With the help of the public this spring, we hope to better understand where water voles are living so we can best protect them – and hopefully, one day they will become a common sight on our riverbanks again.”

To find out more and to take part, visit: www.ptes.org/watervoles.