Around the Rock Pile

On a rocky slope outside our bedroom window we have set up a birdbath with a dripper. This small water-feature has proved to be very attractive to all sorts of animals. Nearly any time we look out the window we see a number of birds or animals awaiting their turn to drink or bathe in the small pool.

A short way below the birdbath is a pile of rock… When I sit very quietly and patiently I am frequently rewarded with a view of a small chestnut brown creature who seems to race from one rock pile to another in the blink of an eye. I am told that these guys are most active at night although I frequently see them in the daytime and it is too dark for me to see them most nights.
Southern Red-backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi
If you look closely - you may be able to spot one of the entrances to his tunnel directly behind his tail.
The Southern Red-backed Vole is quite small, only about five inches long. His back is bright chestnut brown and his tummy and feet are gray. They seem to strip a lot of our bulbs out of our garden as well as pick up sunflower seeds dropped from the birdfeeders.