Voles, Voles Voles???

ApS · 08-14-2010, 03:55 AM

I've lived at the lake for many summers, but this is a critter that is completely new to me. I've only seen one (alone), as he "vacuums-up" dropped grains (birdseed and any of Kellogg's breakfast products) that "happen" his way.

This photo is of a different Vole species (Pacific) which is larger than our native Voles. "Ours" look like a field mouse, but with a "stub" for a tail. (The tail is only about than one-inch long—looks odd to me).

This is the first year we haven't been hearing the repeated call of the Barred Owl, which must have been keeping Vole numbers in check. (Well, I did hear one Barred Owl this season—but only one—and he was on the other shore, about ½-mile distant).

This forum has scant mention of "Voles" here:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?p=68015

That thread is titled: Moles, Moles Moles??? There, one defense is dogs or cats—I have those on both sides of my location!

'Seems grass lawns suffer from Voles (and Moles), but there is no lawn at my location—just forest...and scattered native grasses and native flowers. (And no Moles).

While I can't complain of any damage at all, but why this year and not any other years?

08-14-2010, 03:55 AM	#1
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,927 Thanks: 2,190 Thanked 775 Times in 553 Posts	Voles, Voles Voles??? I've lived at the lake for many summers, but this is a critter that is completely new to me. I've only seen one (alone), as he "vacuums-up" dropped grains (birdseed and any of Kellogg's breakfast products) that "happen" his way. This photo is of a different Vole species (Pacific) which is larger than our native Voles. "Ours" look like a field mouse, but with a "stub" for a tail. (The tail is only about than one-inch long—looks odd to me). This is the first year we haven't been hearing the repeated call of the Barred Owl, which must have been keeping Vole numbers in check. (Well, I did hear one Barred Owl this season—but only one—and he was on the other shore, about ½-mile distant). This forum has scant mention of "Voles" here: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?p=68015 That thread is titled: Moles, Moles Moles??? There, one defense is dogs or cats—I have those on both sides of my location! 'Seems grass lawns suffer from Voles (and Moles), but there is no lawn at my location—just forest...and scattered native grasses and native flowers. (And no Moles). While I can't complain of any damage at all, but why this year and not any other years?