Discovering the wildlife along our canals

Did you know that the UK has around 4,700 miles of canals? These man-made waterways were once used to transports goods all over the country, with a criss-crossing network that spanned from North Scotland to the South Coast of England, and from coast-to-coast East to West. And while they aren’t used for now for their original purpose, they are often a haven for wildlife, a place to relax and enjoy being by the water, and an environment we should treasure, celebrate and preserve.

What are canals?

Before there were trains and planes, if you wanted to get goods from one part of the country to another, you had to either take it by horse and cart along a road, or if you were by the coast, load it on boats and ship it along and around the coastline…or use a river if there was one hand. But both these methods weren’t great. If you shipped it along the coast, you still needed to transport it to towns that weren’t by the sea. Horses and carts couldn’t take very big loads, and took a very long time.The solution was to build an artificial network of waterways, like artificial rivers, that connected important areas for trade. So for example canals could connect the mining towns of Wales with the industrial cities of Cardiff and Bristol where the factories that needed the coal to burn were located. It could connect the textile mills and factories of Yorkshire with Manchester and Sheffield. It could connect the ports of London and Liverpool with all of these hubs of population and industry.CanalsCanals themselves are a narrow channel of water, usually wide enough for two canal or narrow boats to pass side-by-side. Built up of brick and stone, with reinforcing embankments either side, the water is usually fed in via natural water sources like rivers and streams, but the level is kept constant by drains and locks.The water doesn’t flow and there isn’t a current; instead, the boats that use the canals were pulled along by horses or donkeys that walked on the towpath alongside the canal. In fact, that’s what the word means - tow, as in to pull, and path along which the towing animals walked. Although these days modern boats are powered by motors.To get up and down hills and climbs, a clever series of gates that were opened and closed by hand and that enclosed short sections of canal were designed. These were called locks, and if you go for a walk along a canal the chances are you’ll see one and, if you’re lucky, see a boat go through them to see how they work.

Why are they important for wildlife?

Canals are important for wildlife in many ways. Firstly, they provide habitat, shelter and food. The water is home to fishes and aquatic birds, and the towpaths are often lined with hedgerows or trees, which provide more shelter for small and larger mammals, insects, plants and birds.Secondly, because these canals span long distances and criss-cross the countryside, they provide an important wildlife corridor, connecting other areas of habitat and allowing animals to migrate and move around more safely.They are so important that many of them are now looked after by the Canal and River Trust, a charity that is dedicated to looking after these waterways, conserving wildlife, and encouraging people to explore and enjoy them.

What wildlife can you spot on the canal?

There’s always something to spot if you go for a wildlife walk along a canal. You might spot mallard ducks, herons or - if you’re very lucky and very patient - the amazing jewel-like colours of a kingfisher! Canals are also home to bees, butterflies and dragonflies.You can also spot some endangered species, such as bats, newts and water voles. Bats love to feed on the insects that hover above the water, and the best time to spot them is at dusk, when the light starts to fade. You could also see if you could join a local bat walk, which sometimes use special devices to ‘hear’ the very high-pitched noises bats make so you can ‘listen’ for the different bat species!Water voles are harder to spot, but they’re actually quite big - near the size of a rat. Fluffy, brown, with little bead-like eyes, they are one of the most endangered species in the UK. They live in complex burrows in the canal banks, and can sometimes be spotted swimming in the water.

Where can I find my nearest canal?

The great things about canals is that there are a lot of them, and especially in towns and cities they can be a great way to get close to nature right on your doorstep.A quick search on Google Maps or on the Ordnance Survey should show you where your nearest ones are, and of course the Canal and Rivers TrustCanal and Rivers Trust will have information not only on where to find your local canal but also ways you can get involved like activities, volunteer days and more.

Check out these activities

Looking for things to do or ways to explore canals for fun or as a classroom activity? Have a look at these free lesson plans and activity guides:My local trail - create a walking map for your local area that highlights wildlife to spot and things that can be improved.Local safari - you don’t need to travel far to see amazing wildlife; there’s plenty to be found right on your doorstep!