Wildlife along the Witham Navigable Drains
The Drains are a haven for rich and varied wildlife, becoming microsystems to, and directly influencing, the environment around them.
Some very rare species can also be found amongst the more common dwellers and visitors to the canal. Much pondlife, which loves the tranquility of the canal's waters, can be found here, including hornworts, floating water lilies, branched bur reed and sponges and molluscs. Rare plants along the canal such as floating water plantain and grass wrack pondweed are protected under Law.
You might see kingfishers and dragonflies, and certainly all sorts of amphibians and reptiles, like frogs, toads, newts and grass snakes which dip in and out of the waters. Waterfowl glide along the waters here.
In summary, the rich variety of habitats provided by the Drains - water, reedy fringes, banksides, hedges and grass verges - supports a huge variety of plants and animals.
