Belongs to: rodents
Compare with: water vole
bank vole
Field vole Microtus agrestis
Also known as: short-tailed vole
Best time to see: all year
Key facts
Probably the commonest mammal in Britain, found typically in ungrazed grassland but also any grassy area
Favourite food of a number of predators, including weasels, kestrels and barn owls
Widespread across Britain and Europe, but numbers can fluctuate widely from year to year
Recognition
Grey-brown above merging into pale grey below; body 9–12 cm with a short tail only about one third of body length
Spend much of their time in runs through dense grass or in burrows, so difficult to see; feeds on seeds, roots and leaves
Shorter tail and shaggier fur distinguishes from bank vole
Lifecycle
Use shredded grass and leaves to make nests c. 10cm across, at the base of grass tussocks or in burrows
5 or 6 litters a year of 4 or 5 young, between March/April and sometimes as late as December
Average life span around one year
© Peter Trimming