Wildlife walks along canal in Marsden
18th Apr 2008
Nature enthusiasts are being invited to join British Waterways own 'Bill Oddie' on a free wildlife walk along the canal as part of Marsden’s Cuckoo Day celebrations on Saturday, 26 April.
Two hour long* walks have been organised starting from the car park next to Marsden Railway station, along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath, around the Reservoir and ending at Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre.
Jonathan Hart-Woods, Environment & Heritage Manager for British Waterways, Yorkshire will be leading the walks which start at 10.30 am and 2pm. Jonathan said: "Cuckoo Day takes place in many different parts of the country but is particularly celebrated every year by Marsden residents as the herald for spring.
People may not realise how near the canal is to the village
"We have organised the walks to introduce people who may not realise how near the canal is to the village, and also to point out some of the flora and fauna which surround the canal. Frogspawn is already in evidence in some ponds and ditches, and due to improvements in water quality, some birds and small mammals such as otters and kingfishers seem to be on the increase. I think that people will find it a very rewarding experience to try to spot as many varieties as possible.
"There is now a nature trail around the reservoir just above Standedge which has been developed by British Waterways in association with the Ponds Conservation Trust and we want to encourage people to explore the beautiful countryside around, and along, the canal."
300 kingfisher sightings
Last year, despite the wet weather, 4,000 sightings were recorded by members of the public during British Waterways' fourth National Waterway Wildlife Survey, including over 300 records of Britain’s most brilliant bird, the kingfisher.
Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Standedge site were re-opened in 2001 after a 20 year restoration championed by Huddersfield Canal Company, British Waterways, and Kirklees, Tameside and Oldham Councils with funding from the Millennium Lottery Fund.
Pre-booking for the walk is not necessary but sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing should be worn. Anyone wanting more information about this or any events taking place at Standedge and along other canals and rivers, visit the waterscape.com events pages. For information on Standedge events, you can also contact Simon Henry on 0113 281 6822 or email simon.henry@britishwaterways.co.uk.
*weather dependent
Find out more about wildlife on canals and rivers
contact us