Orkney vole  (Microtus arvalis orcadensis)

The Orkney vole is active during the day and night, but it tends to be more active during the day (4), and usually returns to its burrow to rest every 3 hours (2). These voles feed mainly on leaves, stems and roots of grasses and other plants, and seem to preferentially feed on plants with high nitrogen content (4).

The breeding season occurs between March and November, and successive litters consisting of between 1 and 6 young are produced each month. The young voles breed in the year after their birth, and typically die before the end of that year (4). Main predators are domestic cats and various birds of prey; in fact, Orkney voles represent a very important component of the diet of the Orkney Islands' birds of prey (2).