Waterway Watch » Wildlife

Biodiversity grant for Montgomery Canal

Will Chapman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:47:59 +0000

26th Jan 2012

A rare floating water plantain is getting the chance to thrive on the Montgomery Canal, thanks to a biodiversity grant from the Welsh government.

The Montgomery Canal is one of the world’s leading sites for the Luronium natans floating water plantain. The canal is already a Site of Special Scientific Interest for . . . → Read More: Biodiversity grant for Montgomery Canal

Fish to be relocated from Kennet and Avon canal

Will Chapman — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:35:36 +0000

More than half a tonne of fish is being removed from a section of the Kennet and Avon Canal as part of a "habitat enhancement project".

British Waterways want to improve the environment at the Caen Hill Flight of Locks near Devizes for scarce aquatic plants and invertebrates.

Large fish are being removed from the . . . → Read More: Fish to be relocated from Kennet and Avon canal

DEFRA Calls off Forest sales

Will Chapman — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:43:13 +0000

The consultation on the future management of the Public Forest Estate has been halted and all forestry clauses in the Public Bodies Bill will be removed, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman confirmed today.

Mrs Spelman also announced that an independent panel of experts will examine forestry policy in England and report back to her in the . . . → Read More: DEFRA Calls off Forest sales

Volunteers sought to improve wildlife habitats

Will Chapman — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:15:38 +0000

7th Feb 2011

British Waterways is looking for volunteers to help install and maintain bird boxes at Stewponey near Kinver on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.

The activity, taking place between 10am and 12pm on Saturday 19th February, will be led by a British Waterways ecologist who will show participants how to maintain existing bird . . . → Read More: Volunteers sought to improve wildlife habitats

Community Mooring Strategies to be set up in Staffordshire

Will Chapman — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:39:53 +0000

District and Parish Councillors in Lichfield were given an early insight into the way that British Waterways will become a charitable civic society in April 2012. The presentation highlighted the key elements of how the new charity will be governed and the way that local authorities will be able to have a direct influence on . . . → Read More: Community Mooring Strategies to be set up in Staffordshire

Tees fish pass study extended

Will Chapman — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:16:58 +0000

8th Nov 2010

A decision has been made to extend the Tees Fish Pass Study into a fourth year to allow the White Water Canoe Course project at Tees Barrage to be completed

The study extension from three to four years has been agreed with the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust and will resume . . . → Read More: Tees fish pass study extended

Why the resurgence in kingfishers?

Will Chapman — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:35:19 +0000

2 November 2010

A new wildlife survey shows sightings of these iridescent water birds have trebled in the UK. Why?

Quick. Look. That darting speck of blue-green and rust-red – a kingfisher dipping into a river to catch a sprat. A fleeting flash of colour is all many people . . . → Read More: Why the resurgence in kingfishers?

Kingfisher’s return crowns the great riverbank revival

Will Chapman — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:35:07 +0000

1st November 2010

During last year’s harsh winter there were gloomy predictions that waterside wildlife would be devastated.

However to the surprise of experts there has been a mini-renaissance in the birds and animals that depend on rivers, streams and ponds.

It was feared that kingfishers, in particular, would starve to death . . . → Read More: Kingfisher’s return crowns the great riverbank revival

Otter joy – recent sightings of otters in Newbury

Will Chapman — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:36:57 +0000

There have been recent sightings of otters in the West Berkshire countryside

STORIES of otters returning to British waterways became a delightful reality for one young lady during a waterside walk.

As if to coincide with an Environment Agency report this week revealing that the once-rare mammals are re-populating the nation’s waterways, 13-year-old Kate Gridley . . . → Read More: Otter joy – recent sightings of otters in Newbury

Being Nice to Ratty

Will Chapman — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:42:34 +0000

From Boaters’ Update October 2010.

Made by man to fuel Britain’s industrial past, today’s canals have become a valuable habitat for a number of endangered and protected species, from water voles and otters to kingfishers and herons.

Bad housekeeping such as oil drips or spills from boats are clearly bad for the ecology of the . . . → Read More: Being Nice to Ratty