Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

Table 1 – Mammal species associated with fens
278
Name
Scientific
name
Water Vole Arvicola
terrestris
Water Shrew Neomys
fodiens
Harvest Mouse Micromys
minuta
Protection in law /
policy
Wildlife & Countryside
Act (full protection)
UKBAP Priority
Species
Wildlife & Countryside
Act (full protection)
UKBAP Priority
Species
Otter Lutra lutra Conservation
Regulations
Wildlife & Countryside
Act (full protection)
UKBAP Priority
Species
Bats Conservation
Regulations (all UK
species)
Wildlife & Countryside
Act (all UK species)
(full protection)
UKBAP Priority
Species (Barbastelle,
Bechstein’s, Noctule,
Brown Long-eared,
Soprano Pipistrelle
Greater Horseshoe
and Lesser
Horseshoe)
Preferred habitat
Prefers sites with wide swathes of riparian
vegetation, both growing from the banks and
from the water. Banks of earth or silt-shored
banks and slow flowing, relatively deep water
(over 1m depth) that are not over shaded by
trees are also preferred.
Found along the banks of fast and slow-flowing
rivers and streams, static water such as canals,
ponds, lakes and ditches and in fen, marsh and
reed-beds.
Tall, dense grassy vegetation such as reedbeds,
rushes and ditches
Still (lochs, lakes, ditches, gravel pits) and
running (rivers, streams) freshwater systems,
coastal saline systems.
In addition to rivers and coastlines the following
can be important for breeding, feeding and
resting: (Environment Agency, 1999)
Mature broadleaved woodland
Scrub and other tall bankside vegetation
Reedbed, sedge beds and willow carr
Small streams, ditches and dykes
Vegetated mid-channel islands
Fens, rivers and open water are often important
foraging habitats for bats.
Linear features (particularly hedgerows) and
edge habitats (e.g. woodland edges) can be
important commuting and foraging routes.
Roosts may occur in trees and buildings on
sites.
Daubenton’s Bat has particular association with
foraging over aquatic habitats