Orkney vole

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Microtus arvalis orcadensis


To see this species, click here.


What to look out for:
A vole has small ears, a tail shorter than its body length and a rounded head. An Orkney vole is twice the size of the field vole, which is found across the rest of UK and like them feeds on seeds, roots and stems.

When to see it:
In summer, the daylight hours in Orkney are much longer and the vole is the islands’ only rodent to be active during the day. As a result, it is an important food source for hen harriers and short-eared owls. It is active throughout the year, but is not so apparent in winter when it spends more time in its underground tunnel networks.

Where to see it:
The Orkney vole is only found in Orkney Mainland, and the islands of Westray, Sanday, Rousay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Eday. The Orkney vole’s closest relative is the common vole which is found throughout Europe but not in the British Isles.

Things to think about:
It is suggested that Orkney voles evolved from common voles which were brought over to the islands by Neolithic settlers from Scandinavia, up to 5000 years ago. There is one other uniquely endemic rodent in Scotland, the Canna mouse, a larger relation of the wood mouse found in Scotland.

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