Hanson safeguards protected species

Water voles at Needingworth quarry in Cambridgeshire, which had spread into an extension area of farmland due to be available for extraction, have been safely translocated. The protected rodents – also known as water rats – were captured and moved to other parts of the site’s wetlands reserve by ecologists during the extensive operation, which was a first for the quarry.

A camera has also been re-fitted to an artificial nest, near the company’s Ketton cement plant in Rutland, which has been used by a breeding pair of ospreys. The wireless device, triggered by movement, captured several pictures of the protected fish-eating birds of prey, which are expected to return again.

“We employed contractors to fence off the Fenland waterways in the area and ecologists began to capture and translocate them humanely to the other parts of the reserve, where there are no water voles,” said Hilton Law, Unit Manager, who led the operation. “We are aware of our ecological responsibilities to all wildlife, especially to protected species, and have previously mitigated against endangering badgers, sand martins, and bats, but this was a first for water voles.”

“It was a good way of keeping track of the nest’s use and we are hoping the same pair will come back to breed,” said Lloyd Park, of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, who monitors the nest.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/10062019/hanson-safeguards-protected-species/