Orkney Vole

We saw this from the kitchen window one morning. Its an orkney vole.

They are unique to the Islands of  Rousay, Mainland (thats us!), Sanday, Westray and South Ronaldsay.


Having read about it , it is related to the common vole but its ears are  larger and they have shorter, paler brown fur.

The subspecies was introduced to the islands 5,000 years ago, possibly on the boats of Neolithic settlers.


thay have shallow burrows and  one website says they can be found in ruined buildings, so its possibly all  the stone walls that attracts them to here.

We've also seen them on the grass and managed to capture a few pictures of one.