MANY of our small mammals are thought to be rare, but actually they are very common.

The fact that they are brown and, to a large extent nocturnal, means they are less likely to be seen, unless you become a night-time naturalist, complete with a good torch!

One of our commonest little mammals is the bank vole.

The species has also been called the red vole and red-backed vole. Its scientific name is clethrionomys glareolus.

Wood vole would be a more accurate name because it does live among the trees. The body length is about four inches, and it has a tail just over 1½ins.

British voles can be distinguished from mice by their rounder muzzles, which makes them look much more friendly and they are used in children’s stories as goodies, while mice and rats are the baddies.

Voles are very largely vegetarian, but they will eat insects, especially in the hungry winter months.

Voles do not hibernate and in the winter they can do damage to shrubs and small trees, stripping the bark bare. They are important in the food chain because they are eaten by owls and foxes, as well as badgers. Birds such as kestrels also find them a tasty morsel.