Take Part In National Waterways Wildlife Survey

Date published: 04/08/2004

British Waterways is asking everyone – especially families – visiting the Rochdale canal this summer to help take part in a national online nature survey.

The important results will be used to create an essential database listing all the wildlife found on the UK’s waterways.

British Waterways, which successfully cares for 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales, will use the database to help manage and protect the rich ecology and biodiversity found in the canals and rivers around the country.

The survey form can be downloaded from www.waterscape.com/wildlife. The site also contains lots of great information about the animals that are likely to be seen. The survey is easy to do as results just need to be inputted at the same web site.

Summer is the perfect time to see some of Britain’s best aquatic wildlife through the Pennines and even through Manchester.

The Rochdale Canal – which is celebrating its bicentenary this year – is home to the extremely rare white-clawed crayfish as well as dragonflies, newts, toads, frogs and fish. There are also ducks, swans and geese that can also be seen living on or near the water.

Jason Leach, British Waterways’ North West ecologist, explains: “Britain’s beautiful inland waterways are havens for wildlife, from birds, fish and mammals to insects, reptiles and amphibians.

“Over half the population lives within five miles of one of our canals or rivers so we’d like as many people as possible to visit their local waterway this August, whether by boat, foot or bike and tell us about the wildlife they see there.

“August is a great time to spot all sorts of waterway wildlife including herons, kingfishers, swans, coots, moorhens, mallards, dragonflies, bats, foxes, frogs, toads and newts.

“You may also be lucky enough to see some of our rarer and shier species including otters, water voles, badgers and grass snakes.

“Once they’ve completed their form, we’d like visitors to enter the data back on our website.

“We’ll transfer the information to our species database, which will be available to the National Biodiversity Network, The Wildlife Trusts and other organisations with waterway environment responsibilities.”

Canals and rivers are now among the country's most important environmental assets. They provide an ideal habitat and feeding ground for a diverse range of flora and fauna.

They reach into the heart of most of Britain’s larger towns and cities and often bring a unique cross-section of the countryside right to urban doorsteps for all to enjoy.

The wide-range of habitats and species, giving canals and rivers a unique biodiversity.

Habitat ranges from the grassland and scrub of cuttings and embankments, boundary hedgerows and towpath verges, to the reedy fringes and the water channel. Waterways are also especially important for wetland species.

Jason added: “It’s important to monitor the wildlife that inhabit our waterways especially those species whose numbers are threatened.

“We look forward to examining the results of the National Waterway Wildlife Survey this autumn and using the information to help protect and conserve waterway wildlife and their habitats.”

Waterscape.com is the comprehensive online leisure guide to all Britain’s inland waterways. To find out more about places to visit and the wildlife inhabiting them, go to www.waterscape.com.