British Waterways seeks kingfisher counters

19 March 2010

British Waterways – guardian of the nation’s canals and rivers - is inviting nature lovers of all ages to visit their local canal, river, reservoir or dock and tell us what creatures they see there. This year’s survey will focus on the splendid regent of the waterways – the kingfisher, whose numbers are expected to be affected by the recent harsh winter.

Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager, explains: “We have had a hard winter this year and although nature is pretty resilient, we think many species will have suffered. The good news is that our waterways act as green corridors connecting towns, cities and farmland, and providing vital shelter and a winter larder for wildlife struggling to survive.

“However, some species will have been particularly hard hit. Frozen water and plummeting temperatures may have significantly reduced kingfisher populations, with the possibility that many lost the battle against the cold. It is therefore particularly important for us to monitor what species will need our support over the coming year and we’re asking the public to help us do that. Now the weather has warmed up kingfishers are starting to nest and so now is a great time to see them.”

With spring firmly here, the annual waterways wildlife survey is a perfect family activity and will continue throughout the year until the autumn. British Waterways wants nature novices and seasoned spotters to record sightings of all wildlife they see on the waterways at www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.

Last year people taking part in the wildlife survey reported more than 42,500 sightings including nearly 300 different species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects and other waterway mammals.

To help people get started, British Waterways has produced a downloadable guide to what wildlife can be found along the nation's canals and rivers.

British Waterways is also running a photography 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 DD: 020 7985 7314 M: 07796 191120 nayna.wood@britishwaterways.co.uk

Notes to editors:
The Waterways Trust Appeal 2010
The Waterways Trust is raising money to improve habitats for waterway birds improvements including:
- installing special nest boxes for grey wagtails nesting near lock gates
- preserving perches and providing nesting tunnels for kingfishers
- providing precious reed bed habitat alongside canals and in reservoirs for threatened birds such as the bittern and reed bunting
- installing wooden tern rafts at key nesting sites
- erecting new nesting boxes for barn owls
The Waterways Trust is working with British Waterways and other organisations to help some of the most threatened waterway birds, but they need your support.

To donate to the Waterway Birds Appeal please visit their website www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk/wildlife or call 0845 0700 710 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday).

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

British Waterways is a partner of the UK International Year of Biodiversity 2010 www.biodiversityislife.net