Wildlife along the Grand Western Canal

Wildlife on the Grand Western Canal. Image courtesy of the Grand Western Canal Country Park

The variety of habitats that the canal has - grass verges, banks, hedges, water - means that common and rarer species of wildlife, waterfowl, plant life and birdlife are able to flourish here.

Along the verges you'll find plants such as the great willow herb, yellow loosestrife, cuckoo flower and hemp agrimony. Near the waterside reed mace, bur reed, yellow flag and the wild iris, water plantain and the arrowhead flower. There are also white water lilies and the bog bean.

There was an outbreak of Azolla (an introduced floating aquatic fern) back in 2001, but gladly this has been mostly reined in, thanks to the efforts of local voluntary organisations. The fern was unsightly - although it proved to be good food for local fish, ducks and wildlife due to its high protein content.

As for birds, swans nest here every year, alongside the moorhens, coots and mallards. Warblers and kingfishers can be spotted too near the water. In the trees sparrow, robins, blackbirds, starlings and chaffinch hang out for crumbs left by picnicmakers.

In the countryside near the canal, foxes badgers and rabbits make their homes.

The canal is a mass of colour in spring and summer with an abundance of wild flowers growing along the water's edge. Its narrow width produces a more pronounced edge effect than a water body such as a lake or pond. Look out for the Early-purple and Common-spotted orchids in certain places and the elegant White water-lily.

The Grand Western Canal was the first Country Park to be designated in Devon under the 1968 Wildlife & Countryside Act.

Results 1-1 of 1

  1. Grand Western Canal Country Park »

    Address: The Moorings, Canal Hill, Tiverton, Devon EX16 4HX

    Tel: 01884 254072

    Services: Country park

Results 1-1 of 1