Wildlife survey 2008 results announced

Despite a year of unusually wet weather, more than 3,000 sightings of wildlife were recorded by visitors to Britain’s canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs.

This year’s wildlife survey, supported by the British Dragonfly Society, focused on dragonflies and damselflies and more than 350 were spotted across the country, particularly in the North West. British Waterways’ ecologists say that the presence of these much loved and colourful insects is a key indicator of good water quality and a healthy local ecosystem, as they need to lay their eggs in or near water.

The 2008 wildlife survey also shows:

• that frogs have leaped up six places since last year to become the sixth most sighted animal, with more than half spotted in Scotland
• there has been a dip in the number of sightings of kingfishers, from fourth to eleventh, which could be related to flooding damaging nesting sites and feeding grounds
• mallards, swans and moorhens are the most commonly sighted species
• terrapins, not a native animal but released pets, have been seen widespread but in low numbers – these animals can harm our own natural wildlife
• although rare, water voles – best known as Ratty in Wind in the Willows – were spotted in even numbers across the country
• the water voles’ arch nemesis, mink, was spotted most frequently in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Scotland, but evaded detection entirely in London.

Dr Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager, says: "Our waterways play a vital role in towns and cities by providing wildlife corridors that help sustain populations of a variety of species including bats and otters. Although water voles are increasingly threatened in the UK, it is extremely encouraging to see that they have been sighted in locations throughout the country.

Waterways are free and accessible

"This year, people who took part in the survey have helped demonstrate that there are valuable habitats supported by canals and rivers. Waterways are free and accessible for everyone to enjoy and monitoring species helps us to support wildlife in the best way we can."

See the results of the 2008 wildlife photography competition

2008 Wildlife Survey Results