Species

Water Voles

Though once common and widespread, water vole populations have declined in recent years. The loss of these once familiar and much-loved animals, best known as Ratty in Wind in the Willows, has led to many habitat restoration projects to help reverse the trend. There is currently very few records of Water Voles occurring on the Lancaster Canal at this present time, but in 1979, latrine sites were noted on the canal at Torrisholme. The species was also reported on the canal between Lancaster and Hest Bank in 1999 and in the vicinity of Holme and Sheernest.

Otters

Otters were once widespread throughout the UK, but their numbers declined rapidly from the 1950s and they are now absent from many areas. Intensive conservation work over the last 15 years has started to reverse the trend and numbers are now increasing.

Amphibians

The combination of land and water habitats on the waterway network can provide the ideal habitat for amphibians. All the six native British amphibians have declining populations but most still occur along canal corridors. Three species of amphibians are known on the Lancaster Canal and great crested newts have been reported from Larkrigg and from land adjoining the canal at Bridge 81.

Reptiles

The land habitats alongside waterways are used by most native reptiles. Many British reptiles are now protected because of their dwindling numbers. However, species such as grass snakes and slow worms are commonly seen on canal towpaths. There are currently few records of reptiles along the Lancaster Canal, but slow-worms have been reported at Galgate Marina, and there are several unconfirmed reports of red-eared terrapins near Lancaster.

Fish

Though they are hidden underwater, fish are a major part of waterway biodiversity. Indeed the waterway fishery is so large that British Waterways can claim to be Britain’s biggest owner of coarse fishing rights. The Lancaster Canal is famous for its roach, bream and perch angling, and many other species also occur.

Molluscs

The towpath verges, hedges and adjoining habitats provide homes for all sorts of terrestrial snails and slugs, and in the waterway channel and banks there are water snails, winkles, mussels and tiny cockles.

Land Insects

Plentiful in the habitats alongside the water channel, land insects make up the bulk of our biodiversity. Surveys have found over 350 species in the towpath verges alone.

Birds

Birds are probably the most visible and popular wildlife of the canal network. Swans, moorhens, coots and ducks are easy to spot from the towpath along the Lancaster Canal.

Bats

Canals can provide ideal habitats for bats. The diverse riparian habitats found along many canals, often provide rich supplies of aerial insects that are preyed upon by foraging bats. Canals are important corridors, providing access to roost sites and foraging areas, in an increasingly fragmented landscape. Finally, canals have an abundance of structures, such as retaining walls, bridges, aqueducts and buildings, which offer cracks, crevices and voids that provide ideal roosting habitat for bats. Recently, British Waterways have been involved with restoring both Old Hall and Mattinsons Bridge where holes where left in them to accommodate bat habitats.