Water voles have disappeared from a section of a chalk stream in East Yorkshire, an expert has stated. Matthew Arnold, from the East Yorkshire Rivers Trust, said that streams fed by the Yorkshire Wolds are a "lifeline" for wildlife, but water levels are at a record low.
The low levels mean water voles are finding it harder to escape from predators in a section of the West Beck, at Wansford, near Driffield. Mr Arnold noted that holes in the bank, which the creatures use to hide, have been exposed.
East Yorkshire is not officially in drought, but the Met Office recorded a record low of 0.8mm of rainfall in July. Mr Arnold expressed concern about the missing voles but believes they will recover, as they only need a stronghold to repopulate from.
Meanwhile, fishing has been suspended at Burton Constable Hall, near Hull, due to the low level of the lake. Jack Constable, who runs the park, said they are pumping oxygen into the lake to help fish breathe and have paused fishing for a couple of weeks.