Results of British Waterways’ annual survey reveals diversity of waterway wildlife

26/11/2008 14:18:23 November 2008. Britain's waterways are teeming with water-loving wildlife and are providing valuable homes for rare and unusual species such as water voles, otters and terrapins, according to the results of British Waterways' fifth annual wildlife survey.

This year's survey, supported by the British Dragonfly Society, focused on dragonflies and damselflies and more than 350 were spotted across the country, particularly in the North West. British Waterways' ecologists say that the presence of these much loved and colourful insects is a key indicator of good water quality and a healthy local ecosystem, as they need to lay their eggs in or near water. Despite a year of unusually wet weather, more than 3,000 sightings of wildlife were recorded by visitors to Britain's canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs.

 

Dr Mark Robinson, British Waterways' national ecology manager, says: "Our waterways play a vital role in towns and cities by providing wildlife corridors that help sustain populations of a variety of species including bats and otters. Although water voles are increasingly threatened in the UK, it is extremely encouraging to see that they have been sighted in locations throughout the country.

"This year, people who took part in the survey have helped demonstrate that there are valuable habitats supported by canals and rivers. Waterways are free and accessible for everyone to enjoy and monitoring species helps us to support wildlife in the best way we can. "

To find out the best places to spot dragonflies, damselflies and other wildlife in your local area visit www.waterscape.com .

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  

  

Breakdown by Species	No spotted	Rank
Mallard	385	1
Swan	381	2
Moorhen	311	3
Coot	274	4
Heron	267	5
Frog	234	6
Dragonfly	207	7
Bumblebee	207	7
Fox	162	9
Damselfly	147	10
Kingfisher	138	11
Bat	104	12
Toad	76	13
Mink	46	14
Water vole	43	15
Grass snake	30	16
Otter	27	17
Badger	26	18
Terrapin	18	19
Cormorant	10	20