Ratty is the nickname of the Water Vole character in Kenneth Grahame’s classic 1908 novel, The Wind in the Willows.

Water voles are one of the UK’s most endangered mammals. A common sight in my childhood, their numbers have plummeted by over 90% since the 1960s. Due to habitat loss and predation by invasive American mink, many of which were deliberately released by animal rights activists. They are classified as endangered on the UK’s Red Lists

The water vole has chestnut-brown fur, a blunt, rounded nose, small ears, and a furry tail. It is much bigger than other vole species.

Water voles are primarily herbivorous rodents that consume waterside plants, including reeds, roots, grasses, and fallen fruit. Because their plant-based diet is low in nutrients, they must eat about 80% of their body weight every day,

A 0600hrs start this morning along the River Itchen and the old Navigation near Winchester paid off, as we spotted a Water Vole. Pictures were a bit difficult as he was into the morning sun.