British Waterways 2011 wildlife survey launched

monmouthshire and brecon canal

This years wildlife survey of canals, rivers and reservoirs has been launched by British Waterways. Just as last years survey asked the public to keep a special eye out for kingfishers, this years target species are bats. It’s not just bats though, British Waterways wants details of all your wildlife sightings between now and September.

Land owned and managed by British Waterways are essential to the survival of many of our species, The canals and rivers provide green corridors connecting up wildlife reserves and allowing animals to move safely around their range. Canals are particularly important for our bats. The old bridges – many now disused – and old tunnels offers excellent roosting sites for bats and the wealth of vegetation along the towpaths provide food for the insects that bats depend on for food.

Waterways are essential wildlife corridors.

British Waterways’ national ecology manager, Dr Mark Robinson, explains: “Intensive use of land for residential, commercial, transport or agricultural purposes has meant that vast areas of untouched habitat, rich in thousands of different species of plant and animal have been reduced in size and isolated from one another. The passage between these ‘islands’ has become an exhausting journey for the animals that have to cross them and makes them an easier target for predators.”

“For bats, canals are like a cross between the M1 and Tesco’s. Our 200-year old bridges, aqueducts and tunnels provide ideal nooks and crannies for bats to roost in, while the high water quality and plant-rich channels ensure plenty of insects, which are bats only source of food.”

For many people who live in cities and towns the canals- once the backbone of industrial development – are the main point of contact with wild animals. Public parks in towns tend to be highly managed which is not good for bats and the surrounding road lights also discourage bats. Canals running through urban areas though are less managed, leading to a wealth of wildlife and without street lighting the bats are much more comfortable. Dr Robinson continued, “Modern buildings and landscaped parks tend to be highly maintained which, while great for us, is not so good for bats as they rely on undisturbed, safe places to roost, such as old tree trunks or the eaves of roofs. Canals offer the best of both worlds; welcoming millions of commuters and leisure seekers during the day, but remaining a refuge for these fascinating, yet mysterious and elusive mammals at night.”

It’s not just bats to look out for along the waterways.

If you are not comfortable with identifying the different species of bats then don’t worry, British Waterways want to know about any of the species that you can recognise. So if you’re out and about this Easter and you spot a water vole or otter or dragonflies fill in their on-line form and submit your freshwater wildlife sighting. It all helps to build up a picture of the health of our waterways.

Sightings of mammals, birds, insects and amphibians are all important if British Waterways are to ensure that our water course remain some of the most interesting and varied wildlife habitats around. At the moment I consider myself quite lucky in that I live right by the River Usk which is one of the cleanest rivers in the UK. I also live just a short walk from the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal which is also home to wonderful wildlife. But i used to live in Wolverhampton and just a short 5 minutes walk away were the canals and it was a completely different world. I spent many happy hours watching the water voles, kingfishers, frogs and all sorts of wildlife right in the heart of the city. Our canal system really does bring the countryside right into the heart of the city. Everyone really does have the chance to take part in this survey.

We can all play a big role in helping our conservation organisations to monitor and survey the state of our environment. Our records and reports help them to spend their money wisely and also flag up early warning signs for species that may be at risk – and it also helps to highlight successes.

British Waterways Wildlife Surveys.

The British Waterways 2010 wildlife survey saw 40,000 records submitted to their ecologists. The sightings led to the release of some good news with kingfisher sightings increasing by over 200% and house sparrows – which are declining in cities and towns – increasing in number by 23%, further evidence of the importance of our waterways. Water voles were also up by 33% and the dreaded mink was becoming increasingly rare with sightings 36% lower on the previous year.

You can get more details and access to the British Waterways 2011 Wildlife Survey by clicking the link. With the sun set to shine over the coming bank holiday what better way is there to spend you day than pottering around your local waterway and taking in the wonders of the natural world. It’s a great family activity too for the school holidays.