A common small rodent of woodland, scrub and hedgerows. Occurs throughout the British mainland, but not quite so common in the more open country preferred by the very similar field vole.
Bank voles are good climbers and will often use the disused nest of a hedgerow bird as its larder.
They are highly vocal, often squeaking and chattering, sometimes using sounds too high in pitch to be detected by humans. Predators include owls, kestrels, weasels and foxes.