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The 2010 Appeal Is Launched To Help Protect Britain’s Waterway Birds

The Waterways Trust has launched an appeal backed by wildlife presenters Miranda Krestovnikoff and Mike Dilger to help provide homes for some of the nation’s most threatened species of waterway birds.

The banks, reed fringes, grassy towpaths, trees and hedgerows along canals and rivers offer a rich array of places for birds to nest, feed, shelter and gain protection from predators. Many hundreds of bird species such as kingfishers, grey wagtails, tufted ducks, terns, sedge warblers and barn owls depend on these inland waterways for their survival.

People are encouraged to visit their local canal, river, reservoir or dock and note what wildlife can be found. The focus of this year’s survey is the kingfisher. Frozen water and sub-zero temperatures may have significantly reduced kingfisher populations.

Wildlife experts are already comparing this winter to that of 1962-63, when the big freeze began on Boxing Day and did not being to thaw until the first week of March. During that period, it is estimated that half of the birds of Britain died. The cold weather was particularly harsh on kingfishers.

The Waterways Trust and British Waterways is keen to monitor what species can be found and which will need additional support over the coming year. For more details about the wildlife survey visit Waterscape.com (the survey will be launched end of March 2010).

Joanne Darlington, The Waterways Trust, Development Director, said: “The kingfisher rarely lives longer than one breeding season and is vulnerable to cold weather. Also, with only around seventy-five breeding pairs each year, the bittern is under threat in the UK and has a red conservation status meaning it needs urgent help.

“Through our Waterway Birds appeal, we want to raise money to create vital habitats for threatened birds by installing bird boxes at key waterside locations, installing and repairing floating reedbeds and planting and maintaining hedgerows as well as undertaking other essential tasks to improve feeding and nesting sites along our canals and rivers.”

The appeal is backed by Miranda Krestovnikoff, TV presenter and wildlife film maker and Mike Dilger, Wildlife Presenter on BBC’s The One Show.

Miranda explains: “I really enjoy visiting our lovely canals and rivers and seeing all the wonderful wildlife that thrives there. Our waterways provide excellent habitats for a wide range of birds, including some protected species. But it’s important to keep adding new wildlife homes, particularly for the more sensitive birds like kingfishers, grey wagtails, barn owls, tufted ducks and terns. By donating to The Waterways Trust’s Wildlife Appeal, people will support vital habitat improvements to help ensure the survival of threatened bird species.”

Mike continues: "There's only one thing that beats messing about on the water, and that's walking and stalking along the river bank with binocs in hand whilst tracking down the cobalt streaking bullet that is the kingfisher! In my adopted home of the southwest I feel spoilt for rivers in the form of the Avon and the Frome, and regardless of the time of year there is always something for the wildlife enthusiast to get to grips with in this most mercurial, wonderful and fragile of habitats.

“I have forgotten how many times I have filmed on the River Test in Hampshire or filmed native crayfish in Cumbrian becks, one thing I never forget however is that we must not take these precious habitats for granted. Our rivers and canals are now cleaner than they have been for over a generation, but there is still no room for complacency!"

To make a donation to The Waterways Trust’s Waterways Bird Appeal visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk/wildife or call 0845 0700710 (09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday).

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