Bugs, Beasties And Canalside Creatures - Make The Most Of The Half Term Break And Explore Your Local Canal

6 October 2008

With autumn in full swing, British Waterways is encouraging families to get out and about on the UK’s 2,200-mile network of canals and rivers this half term to sample the rich array of wildlife and take part in its annual Wildlife Survey.

Our 200 year-old waterways are home to more than 60 species of canal side creatures but British Waterways needs your help to keep them protected and help them thrive by recording sightings of the diverse species that exist. Throughout the year, people have been taking part in the survey – spotting everything from ducks to dragonflies and grass snakes to geese.

Dr Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager says:

"Half the population lives within five miles of a British Waterways' canal or river and with the survey due to close at the end of October, the half term break is the perfect opportunity to wrap up warm, take a stroll along the towpath and look out for bugs and beasties.

"The waterways are home to a rich array of wildlife and every additional sighting helps our ecologists manage the canals and rivers to conserve their habitats by, for example, installing bat bricks, bird boxes, otter holts and soft banks for water voles."

Recording your findings is easy – simply pick up a survey form at your local waterways office or visit http://www.waterscape.com/wildlife-survey-2008/survey-form.

This year, British Waterways has joined forces with the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) to focus on dragonflies and damselflies. These are two of the UK’s most visually stunning insects that, in recent years, have come under threat. Dragon and damselflies are temperature-sensitive, providing a useful indicator of the impacts of climate change and data collected by the BDS shows that a third of the 39 dragonfly species in the UK are in decline.

ENDS

For more press information, interviews and images, please contact Victoria Shooter on 020 7985 7276 or at victoria.shooter@britishwaterways.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
British Waterways cares for a 2,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers throughout Britain, working to provide a sustainable future for the inland waterways and generate maximum benefit and enjoyment to all from this unique environmental and leisure resource. We work with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to unlock the potential of the inland waterways and generate income for reinvestment in the waterways for the benefit of the millions who visit and care for the waterways every year.

Waterscape.com is the comprehensive, easy to use online guide to all Britain's inland waterways, giving visitors access to the complete waterside experience. Visit www.waterscape.com for a full range of services including:
• Booking waterside cottages, a range of hotel breaks and canal boat holidays
• Recommendations on walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water
• Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants
• Waterway maps and guides with information on visitor attractions, local history and wildlife
• News and events guides and listings