Field vole

Scientific name: Microtus agrestis

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Stocky, compact rodent with a blunt snout, small rounded ears partly hidden in fur, and a short tail (shorter than head-body length). Fur is dark brown to greyish-brown above with grey underparts; females are generally slightly smaller than males.

Size and weight

Adults weigh 20–45 g; body length 8–12 cm. Tail length 2.5–4 cm. Minimal sexual dimorphism in size.

Habitat

Field voles inhabit grasslands, meadows, cereal crops, and rough pasture with dense ground vegetation. They prefer areas with soft soil and ground cover from sea level to moderate upland elevations.

Distribution

Common across much of Europe from Britain east to the Urals and south to the Alps and Balkans. Absent from Ireland. Favours temperate grasslands and farmland habitats.

Diet

Field voles graze on grass stems, clover, and herbaceous vegetation year-round, with increased consumption of seeds and roots in autumn and winter.

Behaviour

Active throughout day and night with no clear circadian pattern; most active during twilight hours. Solitary and territorial outside breeding season; create well-defined runway systems through grass and shallow burrow networks.

Hunting tips

Look for worn grass tunnels and runways at ground level, dark cylindrical droppings (3–8 mm) along pathways, and freshly cut grass stems near burrow entrances. Move slowly through tall grass during early morning or dusk when activity peaks; crouch low to scan for movement along established runs. Focus on field margins, ungrazed patches, and rank vegetation where vole populations concentrate.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.

Finland

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.