MOVEMENTS OF MEADOW VOLES IN WINTER: IMPLICATIONS FOR VOLE MANAGEMENT IN ORCHARD HABITAT

Authors

Dale M. Madison, State University of New York at Binghamton
Randall W. FitzGerald, State University of New York at Binghamton
William J. McShea, State University of New York at Binghamton

Date of this Version

March 1983

Comments

Published in Proceedings of the Seventh Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposium, Harpers Ferry, WV, March 3-4, 1983, Ross E. Byers, editor. Copyright © 1983 Madison, FitzGerald and McShea.

Abstract

The movements of meadow voles in a field population were studied using radiotelemetry during fall and winter. The voles changed from a dispersed, solitary dispersion pattern during early autumn to social clusters with communal nesting during winter. This shift occurred as the daily median temperature approached freezing. Movement was inhibited and localized during winter, except under snow when the voles exhibited a freedom of movement not experienced during other times of the year. Overwinter management of meadow voles in orchard habitats is discussed in view of these findings.