Nature detectives needed for survey (From Gazette Series)

Nature detectives needed for survey

NATURE and wildlife observers are being asked to take a closer look at what they see when they walk along a Severnside canal. As part of the National Waterway Wildlife Survey, British Waterways is asking people to visit the Gloucester and Sharpness canal and report back on the wildlife they see. The information gathered will be added to British Waterways' species database, which records biodiversity on inland waterways and is used to help plan the management of its canals and rivers and the protection of their rich array of wildlife. British Waterways ecologist Jonathan Brickland said: ""Over half the population lives within five miles of one of our canals or rivers and a waterway trip is a fun, free and healthy activity for families at weekends, during school holidays or in the long summer evenings. "It is important to monitor the wildlife that lives on our canals and rivers. We need to know what's there so that we can protect and look after our waterway creatures, for example installing bat bricks, bird boxes, otter holts and soft banks for water voles."

The 16-mile long Gloucester and Sharpness Canal was the widest and deepest canal in the country when it opened in 1827. It was built as a highway for some of the biggest ships of its day, and even today visitors can often see tall ships and other commercial craft coming up the canal. It is very popular with leisure users, and is home to a huge variety of wildlife. Areas where people are likely to spot a variety of wildlife include Sharpness Marina, Saul Junction and the old timber pond at Purton, which is now the largest reed bed in Gloucestershire.

To find out more on the survey and to download a reporting form visit British Waterways' online guide to waterway wildlife at www.waterscape.com/wildlife.

Once forms have been completed, observers can enter the data via the website or by filling in a freepost reply form available from the website.