Back in 2016, while I was working for the Norfolk Mink Project, I was contacted by Tabs, the Wildlife & Conservation Warden at Fairhaven Woodland & Wildlife Garden, after he came face to face with an American mink during his daily rounds. At the time, the Broads around South Walsham, Ranworth, Woodbastwick, Salhouse and Wroxham were a hotspot for mink activity, so we quickly installed traditional mink rafts and traps at Fairhaven.

Although the Fairhaven traps never caught a mink themselves, many were removed from the surrounding area, including the very mink Tabs had been seeing, which was eventually trapped just next door at Shotsole Broad. Not every trap catches a mink, but every trap plays an important role in protecting the wider landscape. When Waterlife Recovery East began, the traditional equipment at Fairhaven was replaced with one of our smart traps. I remember explaining to Tabs that, even if the trap saw very little activity on site, it would stand as a silent guardian, protecting the wildlife hanging on there and helping to secure its future.

After the mink had gone, Tabs began noticing tell-tale signs of water voles, including fresh latrines on one of the bridges. Then came the moment every conservationist hopes for. While walking through the woods with his young grandsons, one excitedly shouted, “Look at that big mouse, Grandad!” Sitting calmly beside the footpath was a young water vole, happily feeding on reeds, seemingly unbothered by its audience. Tabs managed to capture the moment before it quietly disappeared into the waterside vegetation.

Since then, the good news has kept coming. Adult water voles have been seen swimming nearby, several family territories have now been identified, and both staff and visitors are regularly reporting sightings. Ian Jackson at Fairhaven has also been fortunate enough to photograph these wonderful animals, providing further evidence that water voles are once again thriving at Fairhaven.

Seeing water voles return to places where they have been absent for so long is exactly why Waterlife Recovery Trust exists. Stories like this are the reward for years of hard work by dedicated wardens, volunteers and partners, and everyone involved should be incredibly proud. Long may their recovery continue.

Written by Stephen Mace, with thanks to Tabs for sharing his memories and to Ian for capturing the wonderful photographs of Fairhaven’s returning water voles.