Movements and Habitat Use by Pine and Meadow Voles in an Orchard

Several radiotelemetry studies have now been completed in the orchards of the mid-Hudson Valley, New York. The results of one of these projects, a l2-month study of the movements and habitat use of pine and meadow voles, will be reported on here. The success of an integrated vole management program using cultural practices and rodenticides depends a great deal on knowing the movements and habitat use of the two orchard vole species. Species interactions that could lead to differential use of the orchard habitat are another important element in a vole management program. This study focused on three major objectives: 1. To determine if differences in habitat use and movements existed between pine and meadow voles. 2. To determine if the habitat use and movement patterns of each species changed seasonally. 3. To integrate this information into a vole management program