‘Ratty’ makes welcome return to British riverbanks
The water vole – a much-loved British water mammal and the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame’s gentlemanly Ratty in “The Wind in the Willows” – may be staging a remarkable recovery, easing conservationists’ fears about the creatures’ future.
A survey of canals and rivers by British Waterways reported twice as many sightings of water voles – 89 – as a year ago along with sightings of rare butterflies, 300 species of birds, otters, a porpoise and even an alligator snapping turtle.
It was a good year for sightings of the survey’s focus species, the bumblebee, as a warm start to summer meant that a healthy number were spotted taking advantage of waterside wild flowers. There were also numerous sightings of kingfishers – an indicator of good water quality and a healthy ecosystem.
Dr Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager, says: “Canals and rivers are ideal wildlife corridors that support a vast array of wildlife, including bats, newts and otters. Whether you are in the middle of a city, or somewhere more remote, you are almost guaranteed to see some exciting wildlife on the waterway. If you look a little harder you might even see something rare or unusual.
“It is particularly encouraging to note the number of water voles spotted this year. Each record helps us to monitor, protect and preserve the amazing biodiversity found on our waterways. With 50 per cent of the UK’s population living within five miles of a freely accessible canal or river, there’s never been a better time to get closer to nature.”