Best time to see: all year
Key facts
A vole of woodland and hedgerow, sometimes visiting parks and gardens and even bird tables
Habitat: woods, hedges, dense scrub
Widespread across Britain and Europe
Recognition
Reddish-brown back merging into grey sides; body 8–12 cm, tail up to 6 cm
An agile climber; digs runs and burrows in the soil and among roots; nocturnal and diurnal
Feeds on a wide range of plant material, including hazelnuts which are stored for winter; occasionally insects
Lifecycle
Nest is a small well-made ball of moss, grasses and leaves, usually just below ground and often under logs
Up to 4 litters a year of up to 6 young, usually April to September
Lifespan is one or two years
© David Corke