British Waterways needs you to track water-loving wildlife
3 April 2009
Today (Friday 3 April), British Waterways – which cares for 2,200 miles of the nation’s canals and rivers - is inviting nature lovers of all ages to get out and about on their local waterway and record the bugs and beasties they spot there. A superb family activity, the 6th annual wildlife survey will continue throughout the year until October.
Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager, comments: “A wealth of water loving birds, mammals, fish, amphibians and insects thrive on the UK’s canals, rivers and reservoirs, which act as green corridors and safe havens for many species. Next time you’re visiting your local waterway – and more than half the population lives within five miles of one – we want you to tell us what canal creatures you see. The end results will help paint a clearer picture of what species live where and how we can work to protect them.”
British Waterways wants nature novices and seasoned spotters to record sightings of all wildlife they see on the waterways at www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey. However, this year’s survey – which covers all Britain’s waterways – also has a special focus on endangered native bumblebees and is supported by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Jane Kennedy MP.
Jane Kennedy MP, Minister for Farming and the Environment, comments: “Bumblebees help to put food on our plates – many crops, including most fruits, depend on these pollinators. Bumblebees have struggled with changes to the British countryside so the vital lifelines of our rivers and canals are important to their survival. I welcome the survey’s focus on bumblebees this year and hope that it raises awareness of the problems that bumblebees face and their important role in food production.”
Dr. Ben Darvill, director of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust comments: “Three of Britain’s 25 native species of bumblebee are now nationally extinct and a further six species have been identified by the Government as being at crisis point. With the rapid destruction of bee-friendly habitats, canals and river banks have become an important home to a variety of wild flowers and native plants that bumblebees rely on to survive. We are pleased to be working with British Waterways to help protect these precious insects.”
To help people get started, British Waterways has produced a guide to what wildlife can be found along the nation's canals and rivers, including information on bumblebees and tips on how to support them. British Waterways' ecologists and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will use the records of sightings to build up a comprehensive picture of those species that are doing well and which ones need more support.
British Waterways is also running a photography and drawing competition alongside the survey for adults and children, with prizes of up to £100 available. To find out more and to download a wildlife survey guide, visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.
Ends
For further media information, images and to arrange an interview, please contact:
Nayna Wood, 020 7985 7263 / 07796 191120 nayna.wood@britishwaterways.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Wildlife survey results 2008:
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. 2008’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.
The 2008 survey also showed:
• that frogs had leaped up six places since 2007 to become the sixth most sighted animal, with more than half spotted in Scotland
• there had been a dip in the number of sightings of kingfishers, from fourth to eleventh, which could be related to flooding damaging nesting sites and feeding grounds
• mallards, swans and moorhens were the most commonly sighted species
• terrapins, not a native animal but released pets, had been seen widespread but in low numbers – these animals can harm our own natural wildlife
• although rare, water voles – best known as Ratty in Wind in the Willows – were spotted in even numbers across the country
• the water voles’ arch nemesis, mink, were spotted most frequently in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Scotland, but evaded detection entirely in London
Photography and drawing competitions:
Adults and teenagers aged 15+ - can enter a digital photograph of a bumblebee that they have taken near to a canal or river within the past 12 months.
Children aged 14 and under - can enter either a photograph or drawing of any wildlife they see in, on or around a waterway. For more details, visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.
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.
British Waterways cares for 2,200 miles of the nation's canals and rivers. Rich in heritage, abundant in wildlife and teeming with activity, inland waterways are as popular today as they've ever been. Half the population lives within five miles of one of our waterways and an incredible 11 million people use them every year as part of their everyday life – as a short-cut to work, for walking the dog or simply for taking time-out and watching the boats. British Waterways' job is to ensure the waterways attract enough investment to be well maintained and remain appealing to society and the local communities through which they pass.
www.britishwaterways.co.uk
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) was founded in response to growing concerns about the 'plight of the bumblebee'. Three species are already extinct in the UK and several others have experienced dramatic declines. BBCT aim to prevent further declines and to raise awareness of the problems bumblebees face. BBCT have more than 3,200 members ranging from enthusiastic and concerned amateurs right through to internationally renowned research scientists. All of them share a common affection for these affable insects and a desire to see them conserved for future generations. www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk