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Winter wildlife by the canal


Britain’s canals and rivers are home to an enormous variety of flora and fauna. While the canals are bustling with wildlife (and people) in the summer months, the winter offers nature lovers a chance to see animals preparing for freezing temperatures and migrant birds visiting from colder countries.

Mammals

Right now smaller mammals such as water voles, squirrels and stoats are busy storing food for the winter. Once the temperature drops further they will become less active. However if you’re lucky and patient you can still catch a sighting.

Bats and hedgehogs, which both hibernate, try to put on as much fat as possible as they search for and build their winter lodgings. Once the temperature drops about 5C they will lower their heart rate, drop their body temperature and wait until spring.

Both hibernating animals need a constant temperature. If the temperature falls too low then they will have to use up valuable energy looking for a more suitable place to hibernate. If it rises too much they will wake up, use their energy reserves but not have access to food to replenish them. If the temperature rises and falls this winter you may see a bat or hedgehog, although now is the best time to spot them before they start their hibernation.

It’s all about the birds

As mammals take a back seat, the winter months are the perfect time to indulge in a spot of bird watching. While many of us dream about migrating to warmer climes over the winter, birds from Scandinavia, the Baltics and Russia find our winters pleasantly mild. Many species decide to spend the season in the UK, only returning to their native countries when the temperatures rise again in spring.

Redwings and fieldfares are common sights in the winter months, as are hooper and berwick swans. While the UK’s shores welcome many regular winter visitors, the selection of birds we get each year does depend on weather conditions. Last year our waterways were lucky enough to see an influx of waxwings and this year an elusive Bittern has already been spotted at Rye Meads Nature reserve on the River Lee. With the temperature yet to drop significantly we still don’t know what’s likely to make our canals home this year. A visit to your local waterway could herald some feathered surprises.

If ducks are your thing then a trip to the canal over the winter period will be a rewarding experience. Teal, mallards, tufted ducks, Gadwalls and Shoveler are all common sights and look their best as they spend the winter months trying to attract a mate with their colourful plumage.

As well as our foreign friends, many native birds choose to stay in the country over winter and it’s one of the best times of year to spot a kingfisher as its electric blue colouring stands out against the bare trees.

Over the colder months wild birds in Britain will benefit from a helping hand. If you want to want to feed the birds this winter but aren’t sure what they want to eat read our guide to feeding the birds this winter.

Great places for winter wildlife watching

A visit to any canal or river should provide you with a sighting or two. However, there are plenty of nature reserves nestled alongside our waterways where you’re almost guaranteed to see some wildlife.

Rye Meads Nature Reserve
River Lee, Hertfordshire
The RSPB run Rye Meads Nature Reserve is a bird spotter’s paradise. With its visitor centre, hides and wildlife trails it’s worth dedicating at least a couple of hours for a visit.

Bumble Hole Nature Reserve
BCN, West Midlands
Canal heritage and a nature reserve – what more could you want? Bumble Hole is a great place to spot migrant birds and if it gets too cold you can always take the chill off in its welcoming visitor centre.

Attenborough Nature Centre
River Trent, Nottinghamshire
Attenborough Nature Centre is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Trent Valley. The site features flooded gravel pits, which are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The location is open year round and with its interactive visitor centre, café and shop it’s a perfect family day out.

Last updated: 07/11/2011

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