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2009 Was A Bumper Year For 'Ratty' The Water Vole (AKA Water Rat) On Britain's Canal System

The annual British Waterways' survey supported by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust reveals the diversity of water-loving wildlife

The water vole (European Water Vole - Arvicola amphibius), the UK's fastest declining mammal, seems to be making good use of canals, with twice as many sightings recorded across the country in British Waterways’ latest waterways wildlife survey. The water vole, immortalised as ‘Ratty’ in The Wind in the Willows, joins nearly 300 different species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects and other mammals that have been spotted making their homes on Britain’s inland waterways this year. Water Voles are expert swimmers and divers.

European water voles do not usually live in large groups. Adult water voles each have their own territories, which they mark with faecal latrines located either near the nest, burrow and favoured water's edge platforms where voles leave or enter the water.

The actual 2009 Wildlife - Bumblebee Conservation Trust Survey top 20 results were:
1. Mallard 7,037 - 2. Canada goose 2,550 - 3. Swan 2,482 - 4. Moorhen 2,019 - 5. Starling 1,693 - 6. Bumblebee 1,664 - 7. Rabbit 1,403 - 8. House sparrow 1,329 - 9. Coot 1,312 - 10. Stickleback 780 - 11. Roach 750 - 12. Frog 696 - 13. Perch 674 - 14. Damselfly 573 - 15. Robin 540 - 16. Heron 495 - 17. Grey squirrel 390 - 18. Cormorant 326 - 19. Dragonfly 324 - 20. Pondskater 286

Rare butterflies, otters, a porpoise and even an alligator snapping turtle were among the less common of the 42,500 sightings recorded, while mallards, Canada geese and swans were the most commonly seen.

It was a good year for sightings of the survey’s focus species, the bumblebee, as a warm start to summer meant that a healthy number were spotted taking advantage of waterside wild flowers. There were also numerous sightings of kingfishers – an indicator of good water quality and a healthy ecosystem.

Dr Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager, says: “Canals and rivers are ideal wildlife corridors that support a vast array of wildlife, including bats, newts and otters. Whether you are in the middle of a city, or somewhere more remote, you are almost guaranteed to see some exciting wildlife on the waterway. If you look a little harder you might even see something rare or unusual.

“It is particularly encouraging to note the number of water voles spotted this year. Each record helps conservationists to monitor, protect and preserve the amazing biodiversity found on our waterways. With 50 per cent of the UK’s population living within five miles of a freely accessible canal or river, there’s never been a better time to get closer to nature.”

British Waterways’ 2009 wildlife survey reveals:

Although rare, 89 water voles were spotted (twice the number than in 2008), with the most being seen on the Kennet & Avon Canal

127 different species of bird were sighted, including woodpeckers, reed warblers, little owls and almost 200 kingfishers

27 different species of butterflies were seen, including brimstones, small blues and speckled woods

The number of frogs seen leapt three times from 2008, with three-quarters of them seen in Scotland
The most unusual of the 42,500 sightings was a porpoise, a close relation of the dolphin, seen in the River Ouse near Selby and a large alligator snapping turtle, a non-native species from north America, at Earlswood Reservoir, Solihull

The most water-loving bugs and beasties were sighted along the Kennet & Avon Canal, which stretches between Reading and Bristol; the Forth & Clyde Canal in Scotland, and the canals in and around Birmingham

For more information on this years survey sightings or to find out the best places to spot bugs and beasties near you, visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey

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