Bumper year for 'Ratty' on Britain's canals

3 November 2009

Annual survey reveals diversity of water-loving wildlife

The water vole, the UK's fastest declining mammal, seems to be making good use of canals, with twice as many sightings recorded across the country in British Waterways’ latest waterways wildlife survey. The water vole, immortalised as ‘Ratty’ in The Wind in the Willows, joins nearly 300 different species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects and other mammals that have been spotted making their homes on Britain’s inland waterways this year.

Rare butterflies, otters, a porpoise and even an alligator snapping turtle were among the less common of the 42,500 sightings recorded, while mallards, Canada geese and swans were the most commonly seen.

It was a good year for sightings of the survey’s focus species, the bumblebee, as a warm start to summer meant that a healthy number were spotted taking advantage of waterside wild flowers. There were also numerous sightings of kingfishers – an indicator of good water quality and a healthy ecosystem.

Dr Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager, says: “Canals and rivers are ideal wildlife corridors that support a vast array of wildlife, including bats, newts and otters. Whether you are in the middle of a city, or somewhere more remote, you are almost guaranteed to see some exciting wildlife on the waterway. If you look a little harder you might even see something rare or unusual.

“It is particularly encouraging to note the number of water voles spotted this year. Each record helps us to monitor, protect and preserve the amazing biodiversity found on our waterways. With 50 per cent of the UK’s population living within five miles of a freely accessible canal or river, there’s never been a better time to get closer to nature.”

British Waterways’ 2009 wildlife survey reveals:

• Although rare, 89 water voles were spotted (twice the number than in 2008), with the most being seen on the Kennet & Avon Canal
• 127 different species of bird were sighted, including woodpeckers, reed warblers, little owls and almost 200 kingfishers
• 27 different species of butterflies were seen, including brimstones, small blues and speckled woods
• The number of frogs seen leapt three times from 2008, with three-quarters of them seen in Scotland
• The most unusual of the 42,500 sightings was a porpoise, a close relation of the dolphin, seen in the River Ouse near Selby and a large alligator snapping turtle, a non-native species from north America, at Earlswood Reservoir, Solihull
• The most water-loving bugs and beasties were sighted along the Kennet & Avon Canal, which stretches between Reading and Bristol; the Forth & Clyde Canal in Scotland, and the canals in and around Birmingham

For more information on this years survey sightings or to find out the best places to spot bugs and beasties near you, visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.

ENDS

For further press information, a high res jpeg of the winning competition image or to arrange an interview with Mark Robinson, please contact:

Nayna Wood
020 7985 7263
07796 191120
nayna.wood@britishwaterways.co.uk

Wildlife Survey
This year’s survey was supported by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

This year’s survey was also run alongside a photography competition. A cash prize of £100 has been awarded for the photograph of an Early Bumblebee taken at the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford. The winner of the children’s photography category (under age 14) received a £50 voucher, as did the winner of the children’s drawing category. To view the winning photos, as well as the runners up, visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey

British Waterways (BW) is responsible for a 2,200 mile canal and river network in England, Wales and Scotland. There are nearly 300 million visits made to BW’s waterways every year for a wide range of leisure and everyday activities including walking, cycling, angling, boating, wildlife spotting or just simply feeding the ducks. The work of British Waterways and further corporate information can be found at www.britishwaterways.co.uk

Waterscape.com provides information on all of Britain’s waterways, and guides visitors through the complete waterside experience in an easy to use, fully comprehensive online resource. The site includes a full range of services including:
- How to hire a canal boat or waterside holiday cottage.
- Recommendations on walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water.
- Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants.
- Waterway guides with information on attractions, local history and wildlife.
- News and events listings.

2009 Wildlife Survey results