Wildlife

Field Vole Welfare and Grassland Ecosystem Function

How field vole populations support predator welfare and wider ecosystem function.

Key Facts

Field voles are the most abundant UK mammal — up to 75 million individuals
They cycle in population every 3-5 years — boom and bust supporting predator breeding
They are the primary prey of barn owls, kestrels, short-eared owls, and weasels
Rough grassland and tussocky field margins support high field vole densities

Welfare Considerations

Field vole welfare is linked to rough grassland quality and is foundational to predator welfare throughout the food web. Intensively managed silage grassland eliminates field voles — removing the prey base for barn owls and kestrels. Welfare-informed grassland management maintains rough grass margins, delays cutting of field margins, and avoids intensive management of all grassland on a farm.

What You Can Do

Retain rough grass field margins and tussocky grassland to support field vole welfare
Delay cutting of hay meadows to allow vole population development
Advocate for agri-environment payments supporting rough grassland as prey habitat for raptors