An Orkney vole is twice the size of the field vole, which is found across the rest.
A vole has small ears, a tail shorter than its body length and a rounded head.
Discover more about the Orkney Vole
When to see
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
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.
Did you know?
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.
When to see
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
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.
Did you know?
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.
When to see
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
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.
Did you know?
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.
OTHER WILDLIFE SPECIES
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Registered Company No: 303299 | Registered address: Wild Scotland, Suite 212, 8 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1EA