Mihok, S., Lawton, T. & Schwartz, B. (1988) Fates and movements of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) following a population decline. Canadian Journal of Zoology 66, 323-328.

The movements of 24 meadow voles were monitored with radiotelemetry during summer 1985 near Pinawa, Manitoba (Canada) to ascertain fates following a severe winter population decline. Low breeding season survival of 22% per month resulted in the persistence of low numbers through spring 1986. Despite densities of only a few individuals per hectare, voles were captured in both meadows and forests. Some voles first caught in forests (mostly males) moved over large areas (up to 4 ha), including both meadow and forest habitat. In contrast, voles captured in meadows were sedentary, often confining their movements to small areas of 0.1 - 0.2 ha. Radiotransmitters were recovered from 18 of 19 voles that died during the study. Five voles (28%) appeared to have died in situ; six voles (33%) may have been taken by an unusually clean predator or scavenger. Fates of the remaining voles were uncertain. No direct evidence of predation by small mustelids was found to support the hypothesis that these predators account for the persistence of low density following population declines.